Scotland’s Nicola Docherty during the FIFA Women’s World Cup, Group D match at the Parc des Princes, Paris. (PA IMAGES)
There is an infectious enthusiasm in Nicola Docherty’s voice as she reflects on her memories of the World Cup in 2019.
‘I still get goose bumps speaking about it,’ says the 28-year-old Rangers and Scotland defender. ‘People ask me about it, and honestly, I still cannot believe that I went to a World Cup.’
Docherty was part of the Scotland squad that came frustratingly close to progressing to the last sixteen at the tournament, racing into a three-goal lead against Argentina in their final group match, only to agonisingly concede three times in the closing stages. ‘That last fifteen minutes was just madness,’ reflects Docherty. ‘For a long time, I couldn’t even watch the game afterwards because I was just so heartbroken.’