Back-to-back victories for Scotland Women at the FIH World Cup

The sun was beating down on the Belfius Hockey Arena as Scotland and New Zealand lined up for their penultimate game of the 2026 World Cup.

New Zealand got the game underway in Wavre, both teams are energic straight from the whistle. New Zealand are the first team to be awarded a penalty corner, Scotland appeal and are denied, losing their referral early on.

Scotland bounce back with a quick attack, leaving Zara Kennedy with a huge opportunity on the penalty spot with an assist from Ellie Mackenzie but it wasn’t converted. Scotland continue with a strong attack with excellent skills on show from Mackenzie in the circle.

At the other end of the pitch, we saw Katie Birch putting on a world class show in defence, making base line saves to drive Scotland out of danger.

Scotland ended the quarter with the momentum, playing with a lot of confidence on the back of their recent win against Ireland.

The second quarter was full of chances for both sides.

Sarah Jamieson worked the ball through the midfield to win Scotland their first corner of the match. Amy Costello fired her infamous drag flick but it only found the defence of New Zealand. New Zealand are quick to return the fire and win a penalty corner if their own. New Zealand fumbled the set piece but manage to execute a well worked overload leading to Britany Wang opening the scoring with a deflection.

But it wouldn’t stay that way for long, Amy Costello put the momentum back in Scotland hands with a drive through the midfield to Mackenzie, who’s baseline ball into the circle was met by Fiona Burnet who deflects into the net. Scotland draw level with New Zealand

New Zealand continued to press the Scotland defence but the hooter went to keep the score level going into the second half.

Scotland press New Zealand very hard in the opening minutes of the 3rd quarter. Both teams had limited circle entries, until the 10th minute where a New Zealand chance goes wide.

Scotland went on the attack just before the end of the quarter, a ball fired into the circle by Ava Findlay and finds a New Zealand foot. From the resulting corner, Costello with drag flick saved by the keeper but Heather McEwan gets on the ball and beats the goalkeeper to get her first goal of the tournament

Scotland got the last quarter underway, huge last push for both teams with all to play for. New Zealand got themselves the first penalty corner of the quarter, despite good defending by Scotland a penalty is rewarded after a referral. Scotland defend well and immediately make an attacking break with fantastic teamwork through the midfield and into the forward line, ending with Robertson winning a long corner.

New Zealand take their keeper off with 7 minutes to go as they chased an equaliser.

Scotland continued to attack right to the end. Mackenzie and Shields both take the ball to the corners to strive to keep possession and slow the game down. On the occasions New Zealand had the ball, their chances of getting into the circle were kept as minimal as possible thanks to some excellent defending by Scotland.

Both teams pushed even into the final minutes of their penultimate game of the FIH World Cup, but Scotland managed to hold the possession as the final whistle blew. Back-to-back victories for the Scotland Women!

Scotland finished 2nd in Pool H and will now travel to Amsterdam for their final match against Japan on Thursday.

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