England crash out of Women's Nations League despite big win over Scotland as Team GB's Paris 2024 dream dies

Team Great Britain's dreams of playing in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games were ended in cruel fashion despite England's 6-0 victory over Scotland in the UEFA Women's Nations League.

Sarina Wiegman's side were on course to beat the Netherlands to top spot in Group A1 for the majority of the night but, right at the death, the Dutch grabbed the goal they needed to secure their place in the finals of the competition.

The Netherlands' 4-0 win over Belgium means England finish second with 12 points, their inferior goal difference proving their downfall.

England started the night knowing they needed to score at least three goals more than the Dutch to progress and secure Team GB's place in Paris next year.

The Lionesses couldn't have done much more in Hampden as the brilliant Lauren James netted twice, while Alex Greenwood, Beth Mead, Fran Kirby and Lucy Bronze scored a goal apiece.

England took a 12th-minute lead when Greenwood was allowed space to head in from Mead’s corner delivery.

The influential James helped herself to two goals in two minutes to give England’s cause a massive boost. The first, on 38 minutes, was a deflected effort off Nicola Docherty from the edge of the penalty area, and, just over 60 seconds later, the Chelsea forward curled a delicious shot into the top-right corner.

James laid on an assist on the stroke of half-time, her cross picking out Mead whose stunning finish was virtually the last kick of the first half.

England’s dominance continued after the restart and it took Fran Kirby just four minutes to add further to the scoreline, slotting home Georgia Stanway’s cross.

Bronze's header deep into stoppage-time looked to be a huge goal as the visitors celebrated at the full-time whistle, before word spread that the Dutch had scored a fourth goal - a cruel end to what had been a fine night.

The Netherlands will be joined by France, Germany and Spain in the Nations League finals.

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