Scotland suffer 2-0 defeat to Iceland in Pinatar Cup opener

Scotland have lost 2-0 in their opening Pinatar Cup game to Iceland in what was truly a game of two halves in Spain.

Pedro Martinez Losa’s women were made to pay for not taking advantage of a dominant first 45 at the Pinatar Stadium in Murcia on Wednesday afternoon.

The Scots had at least three chances they should have done better from in the first 45 as Iceland struggled to get into the game.

But it seemed a different side that came out for the second half as striking duo of Olof Kristindottir and Sveindis Jonsdottir showed their class and turned the tables on Scotland.

At 16 in the rankings, Iceland are nine places above Losa’s side who are currently the 25th best team in the world according to Fifa.

But Scotland looked the far superior side in the first half as they restricted Iceland to playing within their own half and should have been ahead at the break.

Real Madrid star Caroline Weir and Chelsea’s Erin Cuthbert were both on top form with Claire Elmslie also looking lively.

The best chance of the half fell to captain Rachel Corsie but she put it past the post from close range.

Iceland struggled to deal with Cuthbert’s dead ball expertise and the Scot’s should have been ahead again when her cross was met by Sophie Howard but it was cleared off the line.

The second 45 was a different story, however, as Iceland showed they had genuine quality in their ranks with a quick-fire double through forward Olof Kristindottir to make it 2-0 before the half was five minutes old.

Kristindottir’s strike partner Jonsdottir also sprung into life and the Scotland defence struggled to deal with her as Iceland threatened to increase their lead.

Other than a late flurry of chances at the end, the Scots never looked like getting back into the game after the second goal and the game ended 2-0.

Scotland continue their Pinatar Cup campaign against the Phillipines on Saturday before playing Wales in the final game on Tuesday.