Scotland Women on the brink of Euro 2017 exit after defeat to Portugal

Scotland Women are on the brink of crashing out of Euro 2017 after suffering their second defeat in Group D as they went down to Portugal 2-1.

Having been thrashed 6-0 by arch-rivals England in their opening match, Anna Signeul's side needed a positive result to boost their chances of progressing to the quarter finals.

Despite the humiliating defeat to the Auld Enemy, Scotland started this game full of confidence and missed a glorious opportunity to take the lead as Lana Clelland struck the woodwork. But it was Portugal who broke the deadlock with a goal against the run of play as Carolina Mendes capitalised on a defensive mistake by Vaila Barsley just before the half-hour mark.

Substitute Erin Cuthbert grabbed a much needed equaliser on 68 minutes – the Chelsea Ladies scoring Scotland’s first ever goal in the tournament - but their joy turned to devastation only five minutes later as Ana Leite restored Portugal’s lead.

Cuthbert struck the post at the death and Portugal - the competition’s lowest ranked team - hung on to claim victory. The result means Scotland will exit the competition if England lose to Spain in Sunday’s 19:45 kick-off. Scotland will play Spain in their final group game on Thursday, but it may be a dead rubber by then.

Sorry Scotland: Football can be a cruel sport, and no one will know that better than Anna Signeul after today. Scotland controlled large parts of the game, but a lack of clinical finishing in front of goal and a couple of defensive lapses ultimately cost them. Scotland may have been the better side on this occasion, but to lose against the competition’s lowest ranked team – after being humiliated by England – isn't good enough.

Ana Leite (Portugal) - The 25-year-old was introduced immediately after Scotland equalised and she restored Portugal's lead with her first contribution. Her fresh legs and direct running caused chaos in the Scotland defence, and she almost laid on a third goal for her team.

Scotland: Fay 6, McLauchlan 7, Dieke 6, Barsley 5, Smith 6, Corsie 6, Evans 6, Crichton 6, Weir 7, Brown 6, Clelland 5. Substitutes: Love 6, Lauder 6, Cuthbert 8.

Portugal: Morais 7, Borges 6, Rebelo 7, Costa 7, Jácome Silva 6, Pinto 7, Marques 7, Da Costa 6, Neto 8, Sousa Silva 7, Mendes 7. Substitutes: Luis N/A, Pires 6, Leite 8.

16’ - GREAT CHANCE FOR SCOTLAND! Brown strikes a right-footed shot at goal which Morais can only parry into the path of Clelland. With the goal gaping, the Scotland striker fails to connect with the first attempt and her second is struck against the post and out of play.

25’ - SCOTLAND OPPORTUNITY! Quick feet from Weir as she dances past her marker before delivering a teasing ball across the face of goal. It falls to the unmarked Clelland at the back post, but the ball bounces against her arm and the referee signals for a Portugal free-kick. What a waste!

27’ - GOAL! Scotland 0-1 Portugal. Scotland have dominated this contest, but it's Portugal who take the lead through Carolina Mendes. It's a howler from Barsley who fails to clear from Silva's cross and the ball falls kindly to Mendes who makes no mistake from close range. It's very, very cruel on Scotland.

68’ - GOAL! Scotland 1-1 Portugal. Scotland are off the mark in this tournament, and it's the substitute Erin Cuthbert who levels the scores! The Chelsea Ladies star exchanges passes with Caroline Weir before sliding the ball past the Portuguese goalkeeper and into the bottom corner.

70’ – ANA LEITE IS ON! That is Mendes' final contribution as she is replaced by Ana Leite.

72’ - GOAL! Scotland 1-2 Portugal. Substitute Ana Leite scores with what must be her first touches! She speeds away from Barsley before tucking the ball into the bottom corner. It's her first ever international goal in 44 appearances. What a time to get it!

85’ - OFF THE POST! Scotland go agonisingly close to an equaliser! Cuthbert sets up Weir for the equaliser, but she smashes the shot straight at the post.