A SECOND defeat to follow the earlier one against Norway was not how Scotland wanted to sign off their trip to La Manga – and nor was there much consolation to take from the performance of a largely second string side.
Two goals at the start of the second half by Valur striker Elin Jensen put Iceland in command, and while substitute Lana Clelland's goal at the end of time added on was superbly struck, it came far too late. Seven first-choice players were unavailable for this game for one reason or another, and it showed.
“I saw the space at the back post, so I just cut in with my right foot and hit it top corner,” the Fiorentina striker said. “I'm delighted to get on the score sheet, but overall it's about the squad and how we push forward.
“We weren't happy with that result, so we need to take it into the next camp and do better.”
Shelley Kerr used twenty starting players over the two games and she admitted: “It's disappointing to have lost, and the players will be disappointed as well regardless of the circumstances.
“Iceland started the second half better than us and we didn't really recover from their first goal, which was my disappointment.”
Kerr gave first Scotland starts to three players – goalkeeper Jenna Fife, attacking midfielder Lucy Graham and striker Zoe Ness – and there were nine changes, including the return of Erin Cuthbert, for the side which began against Norway.
Neither side created many chances in a largely shapeless first half. Iceland captain Sara Bjork Gunnarsdottir went closest for her side with a shot which was just wide of Fife's left hand post – while Cuthbert had a powerful shot blocked for a corner.
The game changed entirely with two quick goals at the start of the second half. Central defender Frankie Brown made a bad mistake which gifted possession to Jensen and the striker scored easily.
Four minutes later the same player got her second. Svava Gudmundsdottir sent in a low cross from the left and Jensen again beat Fife from close range.
There was barely time for the game to restart, far less push for an equaliser, when Clelland took a pass from Cuthbert, looked up and directed a fine right foot effort over the Icelandic goalkeeper.
Scorers
Scotland: Clelland 90+4
Iceland: Jensen 50, 54
Teams
Scotland (4-2-3-1): Fife; Arthur (Fi Brown 80), Fr Brown, J Murray (Grant 67), Docherty; Love Crichton 80), Weir; Ross (Arnot 80), Graham, Cuthbert; Ness (Clelland 60)
Iceland (4-2-3-1): Thrainsdottir (Hrafnkelsdottir 73); Sigurdardottir (Vidarsdottir 85), Vigosdottir, Atladottir, Gisladottir (Petursdottir 74); Jonsdottir (Johannsdottir 85), Gunnarsdottir; Albertsdottir, Thorvaldsdottir (Magnusdottir 62), Frikriksdottir (Gudsmandsdottir 61); Jensen
Referee: A Dudley (Spa)
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