Scotland Women's Football Team

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland

Captain Caroline Weir played down her first international hat-trick as she focused on Scotland's five-star performance against Luxembourg to start World Cup qualifying.

Weir scored three of the five goals Scotland knocked past their hosts as they got their campaign off to the best possible start.

"It feels really nice and it's great to score but getting the three points is the most important thing," she told BBC Scotland.

"Coming away from home, first game of the campaign, we wanted to get off to a fast start and we did that.

"Five goals, clean sheet, happy with that and we move on to Saturday [Luxembourg at home].

"I'm just focusing on helping the team. I play an attacking role and helping create things, that's what I'm here to do."

The 5-0 win was also head coach Melissa Andreatta's first competitive game in charge of the side.

In previous friendlies against similarly-ranked lowly opposition, Scotland have come a little unstuck. That was not the case in Luxembourg.

"Tonight was about finding a way to win," Weir said. "The conditions were a bit tricky but the team played well considering. Really organised, full of confidence.

"We've done a lot of talking about this campaign, for a whole week we've prepared. We were ready to go, we wanted to hit the ground running and we did that. I'm really proud of the team."

"It's just a start, we know that, but it's a great foundation to build on."

On her favourite goal of the three, she added: "It's got to be the free-kick. I'll take any goal for Scotland of course, but I practise free-kicks so I was happy that one went in.

"We focus a lot on set-pieces because we have a strong threat there, delivery wise and aerial wise. Every set-piece is a good chance for us."

Captain Caroline Weir scored her first Scotland hat-trick as Melissa Andreatta's side kicked off their 2027 Women's World Cup qualifying campaign with a comfortable win at lowly Luxembourg.

Read the full match report here.

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Scotland head coach Melissa Andreatta: "Feels good, the start we wanted, positive from the outset.

"There were some areas of our game we wanted to work on, we got to do that. Now it's all about recovery and making sure we're ready for game two.

"The most pleasing start is we wanted to put in a 90-minute performance and we saw that tonight, both sides of the ball. Goals in one end and stopping them at the other.

"There's learning moments as well, we're always striving to be better. We'll look at those things and work on them in training and get ready for the return match at home."

On the set-piece threat, Andreatta adds: "It's important that people's hard work is recognised and I'm lucky to have a team of great staff, an outstanding performance staff, operational team.

"I'm so fortunate that are giving it their all, just like the players.

On Caroline Weir: "Class. She's a classy person, and a classy player as well.

"It's only game seven. The thing about football is it's always changing, we've had the opportunity to evolve. There's lots of individuals who will feel positive about their contribution to the team effort.

"This group are always hungry for more, and they'll want to get back to training."

Melissa Andreatta revealed an inspirational message from men's head coach Steve Clarke as Scotland women prepare to start their World Cup qualifying campaign against Luxembourg on Tuesday.

Watch Scotland's opening World Cup qualifier against Luxembourg (18:30 GMT) live on BBC Scotland, iPlayer & BBC Sport website & app

Read more: Your guide to Scotland's 2027 World Cup qualifiers

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Rangers midfielder Jodi McLeary has been added to Melissa Andreatta's Scotland squad for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers.

The 20-year-old replaces Glasgow City's Amy Muir for the double header against Luxembourg.

McLeary had been part of the national team's under-23s squad and Hibernian's Hannah Jordan will replace the midfielder.

The Scots travel to Luxembourg for the first leg on 3 March before the return leg at Hampden on 7 March.

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Scotland captain Caroline Weir has been talking to the media before the national team's World Cup qualifying double-header against Luxembourg next week.

Here are the key points from the press conference:

• Weir described being handed the captaincy by head coach Melissa Andreatta, as "the honour of my career". She said it had been an honour earning each of her caps so far but that the new permanent role had her "humbled and excited".

• The midfielder said despite having deputised for Rachel Corsie in the past, it was a surprised to be picked by Andreatta after the head coach assessed her options. Weir said it was "It was quite an emotional moment and one my family are very proud of".

• She has a lot of targets as captain and as a player but reaching the World Cup is "top of the list".

• Weir expects a tough campaign, with games against Belgium, Israel and Luxembourg, saying: "It is going to be tough. These campaigns are always tough, as we've seen in the past but I think we've put in a lot of ground work and we come into these camps well-prepared up to this point.

• The captain says the squad is "really motivated", knows they need to be "at their best" and feels fresh under Andreatta's management.

• After missing out last time, Weir said there's determination in the squad but they won't let previous failures carry a weight. "We have to be careful not to dwell on that too much but at the same time use it as a bit of motivation. I don't think we need those past campaigns to drive us on."

• She reflected on her experience in 2019, saying as a young player she had "a different role" and that "having qualified for a Euros and a World Cup before that, I maybe thought this was how it was going to go - each major tournament, we would be there".

• Weir said she has matured as a player and a senior figure in the squad and wasn't thinking about this as a last chance to lead the team to a World Cup. "I'll be 31 this year, but I feel good physically. Probably the best shape I've been, mentally good. 2027 is as far as I look now."

• She also reflected on watching the men's team qualify for this year's finals alongside a Danish teammate while on club duty with Real Madrid, saying it was "amazing" and "so cool to watch".

• And Weir plans to travel to watch the team in action against Brazil this summer, saying she loves our national teams doing well at anything.

• Succeeding in leading Scotland to the World Cup would "Be everything for me. Of course you think of that image. There's no higher honour playing for your team and then leading them out at a World Cup. When you are running round your garden, that's what you think of. Would be the absolute highlight of my career."

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

"I've already told my American mates, I'm dragging you there with me and putting a Scotland shirt on... we're not supporting America!"

Like many Scots, Georgia Brown is buzzing for the World Cup draw on Friday. Unlike many, though, she has a head start in planning.

Scotland women's defender Brown is based in Florida and plays for Sporting Club Jacksonville. A prime location for potential games in Atlanta and Miami.

The 23-year-old is keeping her fingers crossed for "a little trip" there, instead of a cross-country journey. Though that is something she's used to while playing in the USL Super League.

"I love it," Brown said on living in the States. "I mean, Florida, I can't complain because of the climate, but pre-season is rough, I'll let you know that... 35 degrees, running in that is not fun.

"And the travel is difficult. You're flying four hours to some games across the country, but I think it just prepares you for coming to Scotland camp. Travel is no problem for me, I'm just used to it every week.

"Honestly, it's a massive place. Everything is 10 times bigger. People claim that, but it's actually true.

"The roads are massive as well, and don't think you can walk anywhere because you can't. You have to have a car or a taxi but there's so much to do and honestly, each state is like a different country. Every state has such a different culture, so just travel around as much as you can.

"We're in quite an ideal location, Jacksonville, we've got Atlanta and Miami, so hopefully Scotland are drawn in one of those stadiums and we can have a little trip there. That wouldn't be too bad."

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Scotland goalscorer Kirsty Howat: “Delighted to obviously get my first start and then to top it off with two goals, it couldn't get much better… Could’ve had three though, which I'm raging about, but yeah, happy with the two.

“I just remember going and pressing, the pitch wasn't obviously the best, so I just thought, go and try and press and win it. Then I just hit it and managed to dink her at the back post.

“Then for the second, I didn't really fancy taking that run, so I just thought, here we go, hit it and just happy to see it hit the back of the net.

“My mum and dad are always usually here, but it’s just my dad tonight. He’ll be buzzing. He's so proud and he always tells me that.

“For him to be here tonight and to witness it firsthand is really special. I gave him a little thumbs up when I scored as well, which was nice.”

Scotland goalscorer Kirsty Hanson: “It was important to get the win. We were under the cosh at the end, so it was obviously quite disappointing to concede two goals, but so happy to get the win with different goals.

“Against Ukraine, we had loads of chances, it’s about being more clinical when we’re on top, punishing teams even more. You could see that at the start of the game, but we just need to keep it up.

“It’s a positive that we kept the win tonight because I think in the past we might have crumbled.

“We just need to keep building and hopefully that’s a really big win for us and something to build on.”

On her goal: “Kirsty Howat and I just said to enjoy it tonight, relax and score.

“I think she just laid it in the path perfectly for me, I was like, ‘I need to finish this off because she's done all the hard work’’. So, delighted it paid off.”

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland at Estadio Municipal de Chapin

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Midfielder Caroline Weir missed Scotland's victory against China after picking up a knock.

The Real Madrid star followed an "individual programme in the gym" during a part of the squad's training session on Monday, when head coach Melissa Andreatta reported "everyone is available".

But the 30-year-old watched the Scots sign off 2025 with a victory from the stands alongside goalkeeper Sandy MacIver.

"She had a knock, we had a couple of opportunities to see if she could go, but we decided the game was too soon and called it," Andreatta told BBC Scotland post-match.

"It was close, it's always close. We just made the call and she was in the stands."

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland

Scotland head coach Melissa Andreatta told BBC Scotland: "We started fast and maximised the chances we created, then the momentum sort of swung towards China.

"But I think we regrouped towards the latter stages of the half and talked about a few things at half-time. We started the second half strongly, had a penalty and poor Kirsty [Howat] going for a third missed it.

"If we get that the pressure sort of releases a little bit, but then they go and score. That makes it super interesting, which is Scottish apparently.

"What we did was show really good character. The way we defended was excellent to deny them chances from all those crosses. Looking ahead, that's what you're going to need in tight games and tournament football."

On Erin Cuthbert, who was taken off on a stretcher and in a neck brace late in the game: "It happened so fast. I just saw a collision and then everyone saw what happened from there.

"She's off to hospital now. We'll just wait to hear for updates."

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland in Jerez, Spain

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Sophie Howard says Scotland are "finally developing a belief" they should be on the biggest international stage as they enter their final friendly before World Cup qualification begins.

The Scots face China - who were scudded 8-0 by England on Friday - in Spain on Tuesday night looking to secure just their second win of 2025.

And while Howard admits a win "would be great" to sign off the year, she thinks the performance is more important.

"I think we're finally developing a belief that we should be there," the Como defender told BBC Scotland.

"We're a very humble squad and that's why we get on so, so well, but it's about time that we believe, not only in one another, because I think we've always done that - we've believed in one another more than ourselves.

"Signing off with a win would be great, but more important is a performance.

"We've spoke often this week, and before, about finding a way to win, because I believe potentially sometimes that's what we've been missing a little bit."

Scotland's sole win of the year came away to Morocco in October. A friendly defeat to Switzerland in a seven-goal thriller and Friday's last-gasp draw with Ukraine followed after the Scots picked up just one point in their Nations League A campaign earlier this year.

The squad will meet up again in February to kick off their quest for an appearance at the 2027 World Cup with Group B4 matches against Belgium, Israel and Luxembourg.

"I almost don't want to put too much pressure on us, we need to go out and perform really well," Howard added of tonight's game against China.

"If things go against us and we don't get that result, that doesn't mean we're not ready.

"We just need to use this game as a chance to be as prepared as we can for what's coming."

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland in Jerez, Spain

Image source, PA Media

Melissa Andreatta insists "belief is growing" amongst her squad as Scotland prepare for their final match of the year against China on Tuesday.

The friendly will fall just a day short of the one year anniversary of that night in Helsinki where the Scots failed to qualify for Euro 2025.

It was a result and outcome that devastated the side and one which took them time to recover from.

Under Michael McArdle's interim reign before her, and the five games she has taken charge of, though, Andreatta has seen a fresh and reenergised group.

"I think belief comes through relentless effort and exposure to different experiences," the head coach told BBC Scotland at the team's hotel in Jerez.

"We had that even against Ukraine where we had so much of the ball and were really dominant for most of the game, but just couldn't get that goal that we wanted.

"But, we never stopped and you get belief from situations like that - even when you don't get the win - by knowing you can create chances and take them.

"I think those moments where we come through the other side and experience the pressure, allows the belief to grow both individually and as a collective, and I definitely think the belief is growing amongst the team, and that we'll see plenty of that out there tomorrow night."