Scotland give World Cup hopes huge boost after dramatic ending with rescinded penalty

Caroline Weir and Claire Emslie netted as Scotland claimed a 2-0 away in the first leg of their World Cup play-off semi-final against Czechia.

Leaving Pardubice with a two-goal cushion and a clean sheet puts Melissa Andreatta’s side in full control of the tie heading into the return fixture in Paisley on Tuesday.

Weir was the game’s dominant figure, creating and missing a handful of chances in the first half as the visitors settled well without challenging the home keeper.

Caroline Weir was on target for Scotland in Czechia. | Getty Images

A near own goal almost gave them the lead anyway before Sandy McIver was called upon to preserve the first-half stalemate when she saved from Michaela Khyrova.

A moment of quality put the Scots in front in the 57th minute, Kathleen McGovern heading on to Weir, who cushioned the ball with a deft touch then rifled a fine strike into the corner.

Emslie came off the bench soon after the hour and was on the scoresheet almost immediately, converting from the edge of the area following good work from Lauren Davidson. Tereza Krejcirikova’s red card saw Czechia finish with 10 and the referee awarded, then rescinded, a penalty to Scotland in a busy conclusion.

It was Emslie’s first goal since becoming a mother and she was overwhelmed with emotion afterwards as she savoured the moment in Czechia.

“It’s a dream, it’s a very special moment,” said Emslie to the BBC afterwards. “It feels amazing and I can’t believe I’ve got my wee boy watching in the stand. It’s the second camp with my wee boy Jamie and my mum. This is a such a good team, such a good environment and they add to that.”

Should Scotland finish the job in Paisley on Tuesday, then they will almost certainly face Sweden in the next stage of the play-offs after they were convincing 5-0 winners away in Lithuania in the first leg of their tie