Scotland substitute Abi Harrison set up a World Cup 2023 play-off decider against the Republic of Ireland with an extra-time winner against Austria.
Bristol City forward Harrison headed home Erin Cuthbert’s corner from six yards in the 92nd minute of the first-round play-off at Hampden and Scotland held on for a 1-0 victory.
The win means another Hampden clash next Tuesday against Ireland in one of three European second-round play-offs.
The two top-ranked winners – based on their record in the qualifying groups – will go into next year’s finals in Australia and New Zealand. The other will enter a 10-team inter-continental tournament which will supply the final three qualifying teams.
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Lee Gibson made an early save right on her line as Austria forced several corners, but the Scotland goalkeeper was rarely troubled.
Centre-forward Martha Thomas had a sniff of goal at the other end following Samantha Kerr’s ball down the channel, but she slipped as the goalkeeper came out to challenge and Scotland midfielder Caroline Weir saw a volley held.
Torrential rain was making play difficult though, and Scotland’s final ball was not good enough when they had a spell of pressure around the half-hour mark.
The closest either side came in the first half was when Julia Hickelsberger grazed the Scotland bar from 20 yards.
The second half was also a tight affair. Austria were not afraid to try their luck from long range but rarely hit the target.
Scotland caused some problems with high balls and one produced their best second-half chance after the visiting goalkeeper punched half clear. Claire Emslie crossed, but substitute Fiona Brown headed over from 12 yards.
Austria substitute Katja Wienerroither had two chances late in regulation time but shot wide each time.
Harrison showed the way to goal when she rose well to meet Cuthbert’s inviting delivery and the biggest scare Scotland had was when Barbara Dunst beat Nicola Docherty inside the box only to shoot over.
In tonight's other play-offs Wales beat Bosnia and Herzegovina and Portugal got the better of Belgium.
Wales won 1-0 on a tense night in Cardiff.
Jess Fishlock struck an extra-time winner by superbly volleying home Rachel Rowe’s cross after 105 minutes and sending a record 15,200 crowd wild.
It capped an extraordinary few days for Fishlock, who won the NWSL Shield with her Seattle-based club OL Reign last weekend, as Wales’ place in the next round was secured.
Wales will now play in Switzerland on Tuesday ahead of a potential inter-continental play-off in February.
Portugal will face Iceland after they dispatched higher-ranked Belgium 2-1 at home.
Diana Silva gave the hosts the lead but Tessa Wullaert levelled before half-time.
Amber Tysiak was sent off for a professional foul in the 88th minute. Portugal hit the bar from the resulting free-kick, and forced a corner that Fatima Pinto headed home for the winner.
Success for Wales or Portugal would almost certainly guarantee automatic qualification for the winner of Ireland v Scotland.
