Anna Signeul refused to single out individual mistakes as Scotland fell to their second defeat in two UEFA Women’s EURO 2017 games after being edged out by Portugal in Rotterdam. 

Goals from Carolina Mendes and Ana Leite either side of Erin Cuthbert’s fine effort consigned Signeul’s side to a second consecutive loss in Group D.

Scotland were on top for large periods of the game, but decisive moments at both ends of the pitch cost them dearly.

Vaila Barsley’s mis-hit clearance allowed Mendes to steal in for the opener minutes before the break, while lone striker Lana Clelland missed two gilt-edged chances to put the Scots ahead in the opening stages.

However, while Signeul was philosophical in defeat, she admitted the absence of key players from the starting eleven made it harder for the team.

“Everyone was very disappointed afterwards,” said Signeul. “But we’re a team, we’re not blaming individual players in any way. We lose as a team and that’s important.

“Lana did very well, but of course we are missing all these players, they are starting players for us and the players who are coming on are doing very, very well.

“But we should have scored early in this game, we should have been up after 15 minutes.”

Mendes’ effort was cancelled out by substitute Cuthbert after 65 minutes, but Leite slid home the winner past an onrushing Gemma Fay five minutes later. 

Portugal weathered a frantic Scotland wave of attacks in the final moments, which included Caroline Weir slamming against the post, and ensured they have a good platform to build on in their final game against England.

On another day, the result could have easily gone Scotland's way, and Signeul was left to rue the tiny fractions that went against the team in blue at Het Kasteel.

“I think we definitely deserved something better than we got," she said. "We should have been up 2-0 in the first half, but unfortunately we couldn’t put the ball in the net. 

“It was an unlucky first goal against us too, which put us on the back foot in the game. It’s always important in these games to score the first goal.

“However, I must say, I am proud of the players in trying to overcome not having the marginals on our side, which we haven’t had since we qualified.

“It’s not easy to play with a new starting eleven again. We came back very well in the second half and we really fought to get back into the game, we threw everything forward, and we were done on the counter.”

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