Scotland striker Kathleen McGovern believes the new generation is playing with a liberating sense of freedom, unburdened by past qualification heartbreaks. Her dramatic injury-time equalizer in a 1-1 World Cup qualifier draw against Belgium at Easter Road—a ground she calls home with Hibernian—epitomized that fresh spirit.

McGovern, a rising star in Melissa Andreatta's squad, wasn't part of the campaigns that saw Scotland narrowly miss Euro 2025 qualification, fall short for the 2023 World Cup, or finish bottom of their group in the 2019 tournament. That lack of historical baggage, she suggests, allows the younger players to express themselves fully on the pitch.

Her crucial 94th-minute header, her sixth goal in just seven senior caps, salvaged a point from a match Scotland dominated. Despite creating numerous chances, Andreatta's side struggled to find the finishing touch until McGovern's late heroics, showcasing the resilience and clutch performance this new-look team is building.