Scotland’s Word Cup dreams ended in controversial circumstances in Paris last night.
The team need a victory to have any chance of progressing to the group stages and looked on course to become the first ever Scottish to do so.
Goals by Kim Little, Jen Beattie and Erin Cuthbert looked to have secured qualification as with only 16 minutes left and leading 3-0, they were on course to be one of the four best third-placed sides before Milagros Menendez got one back for Argentina.
Five minutes later it Florencia Bonsegundo shot went in via crossbar and Lee Alexander’s hand ensuring a nervous end to the game for the Scots.
In the closing minutes referee Hyang-ok Ri allowed an Argentina free-kick to be taken while substitute Fiona Brown was coming onto the pitch then awarded a penalty after Sophie Howard’s trip on Aldana Cometti was reviewed by the video assistant referee.
Alexander saved the spot kick but was adjudged to have left her line before the kick was taken and Bonsegundo scored with her second attempt.
Despite a lengthy delay before the kick was awarded, the referee only added on five minutes and there was confusion when she blew for time up.
After the game an emotional Shelley Kerr said: I’m gutted for the players, gutted for the support but the officiating was really, really poor.
“For 70 minutes we played well. The bottom line is we have conceded three goals but the first goal is from a free-kick, that changes the whole complexion of the game.
“Some of the decisions were appalling to say the least. It doesn’t take away the fact we were comfortable in the game and conceded three goals but there is a ball on the pitch, we try and make a substitution and it’s just an absolute farce.
“People will argue you can’t concede three goals but it does put you under pressure when you concede one.
“We didn’t deal with the ball around the edge of the box with the second one and obviously the third is a penalty.
“I can’t really say any more about the decisions. We have been a victim of them every game. We still have to do better and see the game out but right now it’s a bit raw.”
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
