Scotland’s facility awaits news on Erin Cuthbert’s injury

Scotland rarely seem to have a big up without a corresponding down and this was another one of those occasions.

Some of the gloom awaiting news of the extent of Cuthbert’s injury will be alleviated by the result from the next kick-off at the Den Drif Stadion.

Although Belgium recorded an expected win at home to Luxembourg, they only thrashed the bottom of the group 6-0.

Normally a handsome scoreline, but this was a side Scotland thrashed 7-0 at Hampden.

Scotland started the night four goals clear of the Belgians – and it stayed that way heading into Tuesday’s final round.

Belgium will be favorites to increase their goal difference once again when they face Luxembourg, but this time away from home.

Scotland, meanwhile, played their “away” game against Israel at the same Hungarian venue after UEFA decided that all Middle Eastern teams’ games must be played at neutral venues for security reasons.

Andretta stressed that “we will be fine-tuning our final-third actions” between now and Tuesday to improve the goal difference.

“It was the performance we were looking for,” the head coach told BBC Scotland.

“The game started really fast. We shaped the game and we dominated. That’s what we will focus on – how we can be dominant in game two.

“What’s really pleasing is the variation, whether it’s from open play or second-half set-pieces.

“It makes it hard for any opponent to try to nail down how to stop you.”

Andretta looked forward to returning to “a nice stadium” on Tuesday with “a good surface”.

He will likely have to do so without Cuthbert, one half of a world-class midfield partnership that was crucial in picking holes in the Israeli defence.

The 27-year-old not only scored Scotland’s opener, but also set up two more.

That means more responsibility will likely fall on Caroline Weir’s shoulders, as if the captain doesn’t already carry more of the collective weight.

The midfielder, who looks set to leave Real Madrid this summer, scored a hat-trick and was unfortunate not to add more.

“He leads from the front even though he’s in midfield and he’s just a classy person and a classy player and in situations that really matter, he stands up,” Andretta said. “That’s what we needed tonight.”

Hanson, 30, was also full of praise.

“Obviously he’s a role model for everyone, so we all look up to him and learn from him,” he said.

“He sets the standard and, if he plays well, we all play well.

“We’re very happy to score a lot of goals, but we have another game and we’ll just move on to the next one.”

The latter will not only determine whether Scotland will come out on top and be promoted to League A for the next round of Nations League fixtures but also how tough they will face in the 2027 World Cup play-offs in Brazil.

Only the League A group winners qualify directly from Europe, with three teams from Scotland’s group qualifying for the play-offs.

However, the group winners will be pitted against the runners-up from League B and the fourth-placed team in League A in a match against the third-placed team.

With or without Cuthbert, Scotland have much to gain by chasing targets once more on Tuesday.