Netherlands Held to 1-1 Draw by Scotland as Visitors Clinch Their First Nations League Point

Scotland Stun Dutch Fans with Gritty Comeback in Tilburg

It wasn’t the sunniest campaign for Scotland in the 2025 UEFA Women's Nations League, but at least they managed to squeeze out their first point in the group stage right at the finish line. Facing a packed Dutch crowd in Tilburg, the Scottish squad showed grit and a bit of stubbornness, grinding out a 1-1 draw against the Netherlands—no small feat, considering the Dutch roster is stacked with talent.

Jill Roord wasted no time for the Netherlands, breaking through in just the 10th minute. Her movement in the box left the Scottish defense flat-footed, and she finished coolly to give the hosts the lead. You might have guessed at that point the night would go as expected, especially with Dutch stars like Victoria Pelova and Danielle van de Donk buzzing up front and experienced names such as Sherida Spitse orchestrating the midfield. But Scotland had other plans.

The underdogs rallied, refusing to roll over. Kathleen McGovern’s equalizer in the 27th minute arguably summed up the visitors' night—hungry, determined, and clinging to hope. She latched onto a loose ball, beating Daphne van Domselaar with a clinical shot to put Scotland right back in it. That goal seemed to knock some of the swagger out of the Dutch for a spell, and the rest of the first half saw Scotland standing their ground and frustrating their opponents with disciplined defending.

The rest of the match offered flashes of Dutch urgency and class, but they couldn’t find a way past Scotland’s deep block again. It wasn’t for lack of trying; Roord, van de Donk, and Pelova pushed hard, threading passes and prodding for an opening. Yet the Scottish defense scrambled and blocked everything that came their way. Goalkeeper Lee Gibson had a couple of nervous moments but kept the scoreboard intact through the final whistle.

As the clock ticked over to stoppage time, Scotland made their intent clear—they wanted to leave Tilburg with at least UEFA Women's Nations League pride intact. Manager Pedro Martinez Losa made late changes, including bringing on Emma Watson in the 94th minute to reinforce the back line, and the Scots managed to hold firm for the last few nerve-racking minutes.

Group B Shake-Up and What Comes Next

The draw meant different things for each team. For the Netherlands, it was a bit of a missed opportunity, but it didn’t really hurt them in the grand scheme—they finished second in Group B with 11 points, just behind Germany, who took the top spot. The likes of Sherida Spitse and Jackie Groenen kept control in midfield, but even with their quality, the Dutch couldn't snatch all three points on home turf.

For Scotland, this point might seem small on paper, but it offered a bright spot to end a frustrating run. After five matches, they finally get something to show on the group stage scoreboard, even if it leaves them at the bottom. It also gives manager Losa something to build on—a sign that his side can scrap and claw their way to results, even when the odds aren't stacked in their favor.

Looking up and down the Scottish lineup, there were standouts beyond McGovern’s goal. The defensive unit kept their shape. Substitutes brought fresh energy and made sure the Dutch had to work for every inch late on. That late swap for Watson added a final layer of grit, making the closing minutes tense for the orange-clad fans.

The group now closes with Germany out in front, the Netherlands as runners-up, and Scotland left to reflect on lessons learned from a tough international window. Still, even one point is a reminder: write off the underdogs at your own risk.