Women's World Cup: Scotland's hopes are over following Netherlands defeat

Scotland’s dream of reaching the Women’s World Cup is over after a 2-0 defeat to Netherlands in their play-off semi-final second-leg.

Second-half goals from Lieke Martens and Manos Mellis in Amsterdam ensured the Dutch clinched a play-off final tie against Italy, capitalising on poor Scotland defending.

After a 2-1 home defeat at Tynecastle in the first leg, Anna Signeul's side needed two goals to go through and they started the game well, creating several openings in the first half without really troubling keeper Loes Geurts.

Jane Ross perhaps had Scotland’s best chance when she went haring into the penalty area to latch on to Jo Love’s pass but could not beat Geurts from close range.

Netherlands’ highly-rated and speedy winger Melis began to grow into the game, however, and created a hair-raising moment when Scots keeper Gemma Fay clutched thin air from a dangerous cross.

It came to nothing but the hosts were ahead just six minutes into the second half when Danielle van de Donk set up Martens to power home from outside the box.

Scotland looked shakey at the back from then on and Martens hit the bar before Mellis capitalised on sloppy play from Ifeoma Dieke, claiming her 100th cap, and Frankie Fantom-Brown inside their own area before finishing coolly.

And keeper Fay was needed to prevent a late third at her near post when Vivianne Miedema beat her marker to get a shot on goal.