Lauren Davidson was "like a woman possessed" in Scotland's 3-2 second-leg win over the Czech Republic in Paisley, according to Erin Cuthbert, helping Melissa Andreatta's side cover the absence of captain Caroline Weir. The Brann forward scored the equaliser after the Czech Republic's shock early goal, and Scotland twice came from behind to win 5-2 on aggregate and reach the round two play-off against Sweden for a place at the 2027 World Cup in Brazil.
Weir pulled out after picking up an injury in the warm-up, and Cuthbert was introduced at half-time for just her second game of the season. Davidson, who is out of contract with her Norwegian club in December, started the last five games for her country and played both on the wing and centrally. Up front with Kathleen McGovern, who scored Scotland's second, she was a constant threat in the box, and her fourth international goal, her third in 2026, levelled the score.
Davidson is also enjoying a strong domestic campaign, with Brann holding a 10-point lead in the Toppserien title race after 18 games. She hinted this may be her last year in Norway. "It's my first time moving away from home," she told BBC Scotland. "I wanted to take baby steps instead of just moving and throwing myself maybe down to England, but I've loved every moment of it."
The injury to Weir, a Ballon d'Or nominee now at Lyon, is a concern with the Sweden double-header just seven weeks away. Cuthbert, the Chelsea captain, said her friend does not go down easily. "When she feels like she can't continue, normally I'm a wee bit worried. Hopefully she's fit for the Sweden games." Andreatta described the withdrawal as "precautionary" but said it was too soon to say more.
Source: BBC Sport Football · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing