Rantala Goal Earns Finland Draw Against Netherlands
- Jutta Rantala scored for Finland in Netherlands draw
- Sophie Howard victorious over Israel with Scotland
- Janice Cayman features in Belgium draw against Czech Republic
- CJ Bott played 90 minutes for New Zealand in Japan reverse
On Tuesday evening, City's top scorer Rantala was back doing what she does best, as a second half strike, with just over 10 minutes left on the clock, cancelled out an opener from Lineth Beerensteyn to give Finland hope of qualification to UEFA Women's EURO 2025 in Switzerland.
Currently fourth in League A Group 1 with four points, the well-earned 1-1 draw comes days after a 1-0 reverse to the Dutch. City's No.8 scoring Finland's only goal of the break; cutting inside and firing into the bottom left-hand corner, finding the net in similar fashion to so many other Rantala goals this season.
Also contesting for a spot at next year's European Championships is Howard, who has had a good week with Scotland, featuring twice in two wins over Israel.
First of all winning 4-1 on Friday before marking her 50th cap with a dominant 5-0 display on Tuesday evening at Budaörsi Stadion, in which Tottenham Hotspur's Martha Thomas scored four.
Sitting at the summit of League B Group 2 with 10 points, Scotland are currently level with Serbia in the hunt for a play-off position.
Belgium have also been in action again, most recently drawing 1-1 with Czech Republic on Tuesday at Daio Wasabi Stayen Stadium; Cayman playing just over an hour in the stalemate as the Red Flames retain third position in League A Group 2.
Elsewhere, the final Fox to feature on the global stage was Bott, who was once more named in the New Zealand starting line-up to face Japan on Monday afternoon.
Beaten 2-0 in the first friendly between the two sides, Japan came out on top again, winning 4-1 in Murcia. The Leicester defender will be pleased, however, to have got 180 minutes under her belt before heading into the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Images courtesy of Finland National Team/Scotland National Team.