Spain pain shows how far we've come - Cuthbert
Scotland 0-2 Spain: Erin Cuthbert "proud" despite Hampden defeat in World Cup qualifier
Being disappointed with a 2-0 defeat to Spain shows Scotland are improving, according to Erin Cuthbert.
Goals from Jennifer Hermoso either side of half-time gave Spain all three points in front of a record competitive home crowd of 7,804 at Hampden.
The victory ensures the Spaniards’ place at next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, but the 90 minutes was much improved from the 8-0 thrashing in Seville to the same side four months ago.
“First of all, I’m really proud”, said Cuthbert.
“I thought it was a really good performance from us. I think it says a lot that we are actually disappointed with a 2-0 defeat.
“I think we’ve come a long way considering the previous result in Spain.”
Scotland remain in second place in Group B, and need to win against Ukraine and the Faroe Islands to reach the play-offs.
Cuthbert continued: “We came to Hampden and we wanted to impose ourselves on the game a little more. I think we gave them too much respect in the first leg. Too much space and time.
“I think today we got a lot closer to the ball and around them more. They are human, they make mistakes and that showed at times tonight.”
Hermoso netted the opener in the 14th minute from the penalty spot after Alexia Putellas was fouled in the box by Nicola Docherty.
Cuthbert was inches away from equalising with Scotland’s best chance of the match when she had a shot deflected past the post, before Hermoso wrapped up the points with a neat finish late on.
“They have never really troubled our goal for the most part before a penalty and then Lee [Alexander] is picking the ball out of the net”, added Chelsea midfielder Cuthbert.
“I didn’t think they troubled us that much. One goes just past the post from me. If that goes in, we equalise and we say we need more bite up front.
“It’s difficult to say against Spain. Spain don’t concede goals and we’ve pushed them all the way.
“We knew tonight wasn’t a defining moment for us in the group.”
