The Scotland women’s national team made history on Tuesday. A 2-1 victory over Albania saw it lock up the top spot in Group 2 and secure its place in the World Cup finals next summer for the first time ever.
Scotland’s WWC debut was made possible thanks to a little help from Poland. In one of the more surprising results of this qualifying series, Poland held 18th-ranked Switzerland to a 0-0 draw. A Swiss win would have put it in first to automatically qualify, but with points dropped, opportunity awaited Scotland and they seized the moment.
TADHAL DO DH' ALBA!
Jane Ross heads #Scotland in front!— BBC ALBA (@bbcalba) September 4, 2018
THA ALBA GU BHITH AIG @FIFAWWC!!
SCOTLAND QUALIFY FOR THE WORLD CUP!— BBC ALBA (@bbcalba) September 4, 2018
In other Women's World Cup European qualifying news, Sweden and Norway took care of business on Tuesday to ensure their appearances in France next summer. Sweden clinched a 1-0 victory on the road against neighboring Denmark while two early goals from Norway helped lift it past defending European champion the Netherlands.
Goliath Germany put eight goals past minnow the Faroe Islands, keeping its attendance record in the Women’s World Cup perfect.
Sweden is heading to the Women's World Cup! pic.twitter.com/PoAo5KZtfk
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) September 4, 2018
Other automatic qualifiers in the region include France (host), Italy, Spain and England. The top-ranked second-place teams of the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland and Denmark will battle it out for the final UEFA berth in a playoff that will take place in October and November.
Concacaf Women's World Cup qualifying will take place in October while African and Oceania nations will be the last to qualify, finishing in December.