Highlights: Belgium 0-0 Scotland

At a glance

  • End-to-end World Cup qualifier sees plenty goalmouth action, but a lack of clinical edge

  • McGovern misses golden opportunity in front of goal for Scots, MacIver thwarts Belgians with string of big saves

  • Scotland remain unbeaten and top of Group B4 - above Belgians on goal difference - with two games left

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland at King Power at Den Dreef Stadion, Leuven

Scotland maintained their unbeaten record to remain top of Group B4 in World Cup qualifying with a frantic goalless draw in Belgium.

In their second meeting in four days, the Scots were eyeing up a statement win against the top seeds, and though they started brightly, they failed to trouble Nicky Evrard in goal.

The same could not be said for Sandy MacIver, however. Slackness in possession paved the way for Hannah Earlings to go close from inside the six-yard box.

A deep free-kick was allowed all the way through to MacIver, who just got a fingertip to it, before Jasmien Mathys knocked an effort off the left upright.

In and among a chaotic first half, classy visiting captain Caroline Weir had a few near things but it was after the break the visitors' big moments came.

Kathleen McGovern, who levelled for the Scots in Tuesday's 1-1 draw, was free to smack in a shot in the centre of the box but blazed over and she skewed another golden opportunity wide with 10 minutes to go.

Melissa Andreatta's side had the bit between their teeth and forced The Red Flames into some frenetic last-ditch defending in a crowded six-yard box.

The Belgians were largely second best as the match wore on but had threatened when Mariam Toloba's header was well tipped over by MacIver.

The stalemate means Scotland top the table before the final double header with Israel, above the Belgians - who next play Luxembourg twice - on goal difference.

With eight points, both Scotland and Belgium are guaranteed play-off places while Israel, after a second successive win over Luxembourg, are also through to the next stage.

The side that finishes top will be seeded in the play-offs and will be promoted to League A in the next edition of the Nations League. Luxembourg will be relegated to League C.

Analysis: Lack of cutting edge costs Scots again, but big point gained

When McGovern - who had six goals in seven Scotland games before the Leuven draw - met the ball flush in the centre of goal, completely unmarked, the Belgian spectators took a big deep breath.

She was the one who salvaged a deserved draw in Edinburgh and seemed sure to open the scoring. But unbelievably - or perhaps incredibly believably in Scotland‘s case - she ballooned it high into the Belgian sky.

That passage of play sums the Scots up, even despite their notable progress under Andreatta. More often than not, there is a tendency to take fright at the sight of goal.

The wonderful Weir, once she weaved her way through, misfired a few times while Lauren Davidson - in from the start after her superb showing off the bench on Tuesday - did not take aim with any conviction.

Of course, there are good signs on show at the amount of chances the Scots are creating, but the conversion rate is alarmingly low for a side who play on the front foot with three forwards and two incredibly high full-backs.

But, if Andreatta's side were offered up two points against the top seeds last week, they would have lapped that up.

The Belgians often look to goal centurion Tessa Wullaert, but over the two games the talisman was kept quiet. Nicola Docherty made it her mission to shut her out and did so tenaciously.

The Inter Milan forward has 101 goals for her country, how Scotland could do with that sort of instinct.

What they said

Scotland head coach Melissa Andreatta: “What I'm pleased about especially is that we improved over the games, we had more shots, more shots on target, higher xG and that's an improvement on the last game. The next step is to get the result.

“It was chaotic at times but I think we saw a really professional, mature, experienced performance.”

Scotland defender Nicola Docherty: "We've come a long way. The team is improving every time we meet up, we work so hard on the pitch and off the pitch for these moments.

“I thought tonight we could have nicked it but we'll take the draw and know we've got important games coming up as well."

What's next for these teams?

Scotland host Israel on 5 June, with the return four days later.

Belgium are at home to Luxembourg on 5 June and away to the bottom side on 9 June.