Women’s World Cup: Shelley Kerr slams officials after Scotland heartbreak

Fifa Women’s World Cup group D Scotland 3 Argentina 3

Scotland are out of the Fifa Women’s World Cup after a 3-3 draw against Argentina left them bottom of group D.

Shelley Kerr’s side went into the match knowing that they needed a victory to stand any chance of qualifying for the last 16.

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They gave themselves a huge opportunity by taking a three-goal lead with 20 minutes to go. But Argentina hit back with three goals, including a controversial 94th-minute penalty.

The late spot-kick was initially awarded by the video assistant-referee (VAR) for a foul on Aldana Cometti by Sophie Howard.

Florencia Bonsegundo saw her penalty saved by Lee Alexander, but it was ordered by VAR to be re-taken after the Scotland keeper was ruled to be off her line.

Bonsegundo stepped up again and she converted to make the score 3-3 in a dramatic finish to the game.

Scotland’s Erin Cuthbert said: “I’m absolutely gutted for the team. I think we should have put the game to bed. We were on top of the game, but these things happen. It’s football. It gives you incredible highs but also incredible lows and we saw that again tonight.”

‘Absolute farce’

After the match Scotland head coach Kerr was scathing of the officials.

She told the BBC: “We were comfortable in the game. 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.

“I’m gutted for the players, gutted for the support but I have to say the officiating was really, really poor.

“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.”

Fifa Women’s World Cup group D Japan 0 England 2

While Scotland suffered World Cup agony, the other remaining group D fixture saw England beat Japan to secure top spot.

Two goals from Ellen White sealed the 2-0 win and Phil Neville’s side will now play on Sunday in the round of 16 in Valenciennes.

The Lionesses will face one of the best third-placed teams - China, New Zealand, Cameroon, Chile or Thailand.

England head coach Neville, who made a number of changes for the clash, said: “The objective before the game was to win the game, get the three wins and top the group - we’ve done that.

“We needed this game I think to have a different test and we got that. Some of our play in the first half was fantastic, but in the second half a few of the players that maybe hadn’t played as much got a little bit tired.

“But it’s job done and we’re looking forward to the last 16.”

Today’s back pages: Lionesses are ‘White hot’

Fifa Women’s World Cup fixtures

BBC Sport will show coverage of the World Cup. All times BST.

Thursday 20 June

• Group E: Cameroon vs. New Zealand (5pm, BBC red button and online); Netherlands vs. Canada (5pm, BBC online)
• Group F: Sweden vs. US (8pm, BBC Four); Thailand vs. Chile (8pm, BBC red button and online)

Knockout dates

• 22-25 June: round of 16
• 27-29 June: quarter-finals
• 2-3 July: semi-finals
• 6 July: third/fourth-placed match

Round of 16 fixtures

• 22 June: Germany vs. 3rd place group A/C/D (4.30pm); Norway vs. Australia (8pm)
• 23 June: England vs. 3rd Place group B/E/F (4.30pm); France vs. 3rd Place group C/D/E (8pm)
• 24 June: Spain vs. group F winner (5pm); group F second place vs. group E second place (8pm)
• 25 June: Italy vs. 3rd place group A/B/F (5pm); group E winner vs. Japan (8pm)

When is the final?

The 2019 Fifa Women’s World Cup final will be played in Lyon on Sunday 7 July (4pm BST).