Captain Rachel Corsie’s last-minute header spared Scotland’s blushes against Hungary and kept her start 100% to qualifying for the Women’s World Cup.

The arrival of Fanni Vago gave Hungary a surprise equalizer, taking advantage of the hosts’ loose play.

But as Scotland looked set for an expensive draw, Corsie leaned in to enter.

The win puts Scotland at the top of Group B with a maximum of nine points, but they came in a fitter game than Spain, which will face Ukraine on Tuesday.

After creating plenty of chances in their 2-0 win over Hungary in their opener, Scotland would have been confident in the win, especially with the return of influential Caroline Weir. However, they were forced to work for a nervous victory.

Jen Beattie’s scathing shot from the edge of the box and heading from close range were Scotland’s best chances in a slow opening half hour, before Grimshaw capitalized on a Hungarian defensive error to open the scoring .

The AC Milan forward was vigilant to take a neat first touch and finish from the edge of the penalty area after the visiting center-backs misjudged Nicola Docherty’s suspended cross from the left.

The goal gave Scotland a halftime advantage and the platform to start. But, after a strong start as Grimshaw approached, the home side were caught off guard.

Several unconvincing passes from the back led to Docherty’s ball for Beattie being retrieved, and Hungary worked it well through the goal to make Vago cleverly finish in the top corner.

The equalizer didn’t change Scotland’s territorial dominance, but they fought for control over possession all evening against an organized Hungarian side who had lost their last four matches.

The barrage of opportunities one might have expected never happened, however. Claire Emslie completed a shot a few inches away and Beattie shot wide at point blank range on the stretch.

Weir produced a sublime turn to let Hampden fans consider another classic strike from the Manchester City star, but the shot was direct on Hungarian goalkeeper Reka Szocs.

And, right after Erin Cuthbert was brilliantly denied by Szocs, Corsie remained vigilant to hang on to center-partner Beattie’s lead towards the goal and secure a vital victory in the dying moments.

Player of the Match – Claire Emslie

What have we learned?

Martinez Losa is known to implement a possession-based style, and that was evident in last month’s wins over Hungary and a limited Faroe Islands side.

At Hampden, however, Scotland struggled with the ball. They were often guilty of giving it away as they tried to move it into the thirds, and when they got to the last third they lacked precision.

They mostly relied on long crosses, but rarely had enough numbers in the box to cause many problems for center-backs or the Hungarian goalkeeper.

Automatic qualification for the World Cup in 2023 already seems a difficult task given Spain’s form and pedigree, but a draw would have made the task mountainous. However, the boost from a late winner will do wonders for confidence.

What did they say?

Scotland head coach Pedro Martinez Losa: “These are the kind of games that help us grow more as a team. Tactics are important, but the most important thing is the heart. The players have shown great character.

Scottish captain Rachel Corsie: “It’s a feeling of relief. We have to win games like this. To see the public come away happy is our job. We are grateful for that. There are things we can work on, but it is our job. is good for us. “

After that ?

Scotland will face Sweden in a friendly at Paisley on Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. BST, with their next qualifying game taking place exactly one month later, on November 26 at home against Ukraine.