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Scotland crashed out of the Women\u2019s World Cup in heart-breaking fashion after letting slip a three-goal lead to draw 3-3 with Argentina.<\/p>\nScotland crashed out of the Women\u2019s World Cup in heart-breaking fashion after letting slip a three-goal lead to draw 3-3 with Argentina.<\/p>\n
Shelley Kerr\u2019s side appeared on course for the win they needed in their final group game as goals from Kim Little, Jennifer Beattie and Erin Cuthbert put them 3-0 up with 21 minutes remaining at the Parc des Princes.<\/p>\n
Qualification for the knockout stage was within Scotland\u2019s grasp as one of the best third-placed finishers.<\/p>\n
But Argentina hit back through goals from substitute Milagros Menendez and Florencia Bonsegundo, who then scored a retaken penalty in stoppage time after her initial spot-kick had been saved to send the Scots home in the cruelest of circumstances.<\/p>\n
Scotland coach Kerr made three changes to her side following defeats against England and Japan.<\/p>\n
Midfield pair Nicola Docherty and Leanne Crichton plus forward Claire Emslie stepped into the starting line-up and Scotland made a promising start.<\/p>\n
Cuthbert dragged an early shot wide from Docherty\u2019s dangerous cross as the Scots looked to push forward.<\/p>\n
Kerr\u2019s side looked vulnerable on the counter-attack though and almost went behind in the 17th minute when Mariana Larroquette\u2019s header struck the crossbar.<\/p>\n
But two minutes later Scotland took the lead. Cuthbert reacted well after her powerful shot was parried by Argentina goalkeeper Vanina Correa, playing the rebound across the six-yard area for Little to tap home.<\/p>\n
Argentina still posed a threat going forward and a well-timed tackle by Rachel Corsie in the penalty area denied Sole Jaimes a shot on goal.<\/p>\n
Crucially, Scotland gave themselves a cushion with a second goal four minutes into the second half when defender Beattie headed home Caroline Weir\u2019s excellent cross.<\/p>\n
Argentina were forced to chase the game and Cuthbert almost took advantage of the gaps at the back by forcing Correa into a decent save.<\/p>\n
Cuthbert was then on hand to turn home Scotland\u2019s third goal from another rebound in the 69th minute after Correa had pushed Crichton\u2019s powerful header on to the crossbar.<\/p>\n
The Scots were then dealt a double whammy as the South Americans struck twice in three minutes to put qualification back on a knife edge.<\/p>\n
Argentina substitute Menendez took advantage of a defensive mix-up to fire under goalkeeper Lee Alexander in the 74th minute and Bonsegundo fired a shot from outside the area in off the underside of the crossbar in the 78th minute.<\/p>\n
Scotland\u2019s worst fears appeared to have been realized when Sophie Howard, moments after stepping off the substitutes\u2019 bench, sent Aldana Cometti tumbling in the box with four minutes left.<\/p>\n
Bonsegundo\u2019s spot-kick, awarded after being referred to the video assistant referee, was saved by Lee, but in an incredible finale the VAR ordered a retake after ruling the goalkeeper had moved both feet off her goal line and the Argentinian struck the equalizer.<\/p>\n