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Figure caption,Watch the goals as Scotland beat Israel 6-0
ByClive LindsayBBC Sport Scotland- Published59 minutes ago
Given the lack of fans, the hush that engulfed the Bozsik Arena in Hungary was even more eerie than it would have been as Erin Cuthbert went down clutching her right leg.
Only a handful of friends and family were allowed into the 8,000-capacity stadium to witness what was deemed to be Scotland's home World Cup qualifier against Israel at the home of Honved.
They were stunned into silence along with her team-mates as the Chelsea midfielder's cries of pain echoed round the stands.
Scotland were well on their way to the handsome 6-0 victory they needed to stay top of European qualifying Group B4 ahead of Belgium.
With goal difference paramount, creative livewire Cuthbert was making one last push to stretch the lead when she went down as if struck by lightning under an innocuous challenge.
Her reaction, though, immediately suggested the impact as she hit the ground was far greater. An assumption confirmed by the subsequent stretcher from which she departed the scene in obvious agony.
Scotland head coach Melissa Andreatta was not willing to speculate on "how it pans out" amid the news that Cuthbert was on her way to hospital.
Forward Kirsty Hanson, who scored Scotland's sixth goal, would only say: "She is being well looked after, so let's hope there is good news."
However, you could tell from their faces, and subdued delight at such an important victory, that they feared the worst.
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Figure caption,Melissa Andreatta looks for further improvements after Scotland thrash Israel
Scotland rarely seem to have major ups without a corresponding down and this was another of those occasions.
Some of the gloom as they awaited news of the extent of Cuthbert's injury would have been lifted by the result from the later kick-off at Den Dreef Stadion.
While Belgium recorded an expected victory at home to Luxumbourg, they only defeated the group's bottom-placed side 6-0.
Normally a handsome scoreline, but this was a side Scotland crushed 7-0 at Hampden.
Scotland started the night four goals better off than the Belgians - and it stayed that way going into the final round of fixtures on Tuesday.
Belgium will be favourites to boost their goal difference once more when they again face Luxembourg, but this time it is away from home.
Scotland, meanwhile, have their "away" game against Israel at the same Hungarian venue thanks to Uefa deciding that all the Middle East team's games must be played at neutral venues for security reasons.
Andreatta stressed that "we'll keep fine-tuning our final-third actions" between now and Tuesday to improve that goal difference.
"The performance was what we were looking for," the head coach told BBC Scotland.
"The game started really fast. We shaped the game and we dominated. That's what we'll focus on - how we can continue to be dominant in game two.
"What is really pleasing is the variation, whether it is from open play or second-phase set-pieces.
"That makes it difficult for any opponent to try to nail down how to stop you."
Andreatta was looking forward to returning to "a beautiful stadium" with "a good surface" on Tuesday.
She is likely to have to do so without Cuthbert, one half of a world-class midfield partnership that was pivotal in picked holes in the Israeli defence.
The 27-year-old not only scored Scotland's opener but set up two more.
It means even more responsibility will likely rest on the shoulders of Caroline Weir, as if the captain does not already carry much of the collective weight.
The midfielder, who appears to be leaving Real Madrid this summer, scored a hat-trick and was unfortunate not to add more.
"She leads from the front although she's in midfield and she's just a classy person and a classy player and, in situations that really matter, she stands up," Andreatta said. "That's what we needed tonight."
Hanson was also full of praise for the 30-year-old.
"Obviously she is a role model for everyone, so we all look up to her and learn from her," she said.
"She sets the standards and, if she is playing well, we all play well.
"We are very happy to score loads of goals, but we have another game and we just move on to the next one."
That next one will not only determine whether Scotland finish top and are promoted to League A for the next round of Nations League fixtures but also how difficult an opponent they will face in the play-offs for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil.
With only League A group winners qualifying directly from Europe, three teams from Scotland's group qualify for the play-offs.
However, the group winners will be seeded along with teams finishing fourth in League A in matches against runners-up and third-placed teams from League B.
With or without Cuthbert, Scotland have much to gain from carefully chasing goals once more on Tuesday.
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