The scoreline read: Argentina, the second best team in the world, 2, Scotland, ranked No 14, 0, after this World Cup, Group B, clash in Belgium, the final one before the cross-over ties.
The stats indicated that Argentina edged possession, 51.9 per cent against Scotland’s 48.19 per cent. The South American side also had 19 circle penetrations against six by the Tartan hearts and Argentina had 13 shots on goals against one from the Scots in the third session. They also had six penalty corners. Scotland had none.
Yes, the Argentine side won the numbers game, but Scotland’s achievement here should not be underestimated. Small margins, ultimately, cost the Scots dear.
The Tartan Hearts were the better side in the first ten minutes before the physical nature, tenacity and quality near goal, and the speed of their rivals, impacted.
Jess Buchanan, Scotland’s undoubted No 1 goalkeeper, made several quality stops to deny the opposition. One followed a penalty corner when Glasgow-born Buchanan, a Great Britain squad player, threw herself to the right to parry a fierce shot from the top of the D from Lara Casas.
She also blocked a shot from Maria Ortiz and one up high early on, before making way for back-up, Emily Overend with four minutes remaining.
Earlier, Argentina coach Fernando Ferrara’s side weathered early pressure from the Scots before making their breakthrough after 10min 24sec after a mistake in defence. They made Scotland pay.
Valentina Raposo fired towards goal. Buchanan got down low but the ball rebouned. There were four black shirts waiting to pounce and captain Maria Granatto swooped to send the ball into the net.
The scoreline stayed that way until the end of the first quarter, but then Argentina upped a gear. They commanded circle penetrations in the second quarter, seven to two, but failed to add their tally.
Power running from the South Americans in the second session had forced the Scots back, and Ferrara’s side had seven shots on goal in the second session. Scotland had none, but Buchanan’s quality certainly showed here.
She was on duty when Ortiz fizzed a show goalwards and the goalkeeper saved with her pads. Then a mistake allowed the Argentine side possession and a penalty corner ensued. Charlotte Watson bravely blocked the first attempt but Argentina were awarded another. It was then that razor-sharp Buchanan saved low to her right from Agustina Gorzelany, a wonderfully athletic stop.
Goal No 2 arrived in the third quarter, Casas was not to be denied. The ball was fed along the by line after the Scots failed to clear. Casas lurked near the back post and as the ball flew across the area she became involved in a skirmish at the back post.
There was only one winner against Jessica Martin who tried hard to block. Determination to send the ball into the net, however, was written all over the face of Casas.
Buchanan then showed her quality again, saving from Julieta Jankunas before departing, but she can be proud of her contribution here.
In fact, so can the Scots. Yes, they lacked a threat up-front, but they competed hard against one of the best sides on the planet, and they stuck to their game plan to frustrate the women from the Pampas. The coaching staff had obviously done their homework.
Scotand also kept their discipline against highly-motivated opponents who picked up two green cards and one yellow during the bruising battle.
Now, Scotland must re-group for the second phase of the competition, the cross-overs to discover the eventual positions, and the draw for that will become clear in the next few hours.
FOCUSED: Jess Buchanan makes a point to Scotland women’s coach, Chris Duncan. Picture Nigel Duncan
