Claire Emslie’s second-half double ensured Scotland’s fourth consecutive competitive win as they beat Slovakia in a game that was interrupted by a Biblical thunderstorm.

After a bleak first half in extreme heat, the winger bundled home the opener just 30 seconds after the restart for her 15th international goal before her persistent pressing forced the second after a 40-minute stoppage of play.

Players were rushed inside to avoid the lashing rain and blinding lightning at the Stadion pod Zoborom.

But the delay did not distract Pedro Martinez Losa's side in their penultimate Euro 2025 qualifying match as they finally tasted victory for the fourth time in a row for the first time in six years, over two and half hours from when they kicked-off.

Having already secured their play-off spot, the Scots remain undefeated and top of Group B2 ahead of Serbia, who remain second on goal difference after their 1-0 win at home to Israel ahead of their visit to the Wyre Stadium on Tuesday in the final group game.

With nine goals scored in their past two games – 10 in their last three – Martinez Losa said pre-match he hoped Scotland would retain the clinical edge shown against Israel but stressed it was "not something you can assume is going to happen all the time".

It was certainly non-existent in the first half in a then roasting and sun-laden Nitra.

The front three of Emslie, Martha Thomas and Kirsty Hanson all threatened, but nothing turned out to be too testing for Maria Korenciova in the home goal.

In contrast, on her first competitive start, goalkeeper Eartha Cumings had to push away a tricky lob attempt from Patricia Hmirova after Ludmila Matavkova dilly-dallied in getting her close-range shot away and allowed Sophie Howard in to block.

In uncomfortable conditions, the one player familiar to kicking a ball in 30-odd degree heat, Angel City's Emslie showed them how it is done. The LA-based winger slid in from the right to sneak the ball beyond Korenciova.

The heavens then opened with thunderous clouds covering a dark sky only brightened by the sharp flash of lightning every few seconds.

After a prolonged period back in the dressing room drying off, the players eventually resumed and, momentarily, it appeared some Scottish minds were still indoors.

Maria Mikolajova whipped a sumptuous ball to Hmirova at the back-post, where she somehow contrived to head the ball on to the woodwork instead of over the goalline.

It could have been an embarrassing moment for Scotland. Instead, the second goal was to leave the hosts blushing.

Matavkova inexplicably gave the ball away in the centre of the goal and, while Emslie may not have known much about it, the clearance bounced off the winger to seal victory.

It wasn’t the goal-fest Scotland put on against Israel in the recent double-header, but they continued to show their strength against this level of opposition.

On another night, similarly to the reverse game at Hampden, the Scots could have buried more, but given they were stunned by the sun in the first half, then shuddering after the storm in the second, this was no normal game of football.

However, it’s another challenge this side has overcome. They remained calm and committed to their game plan, using their width and looking to serve Thomas.

It was a quieter night for the Scotland number 20 given her recent high standards, but she still proved a nuisance. As did her replacement, Kirsty Howat, on the Rangers forward's long-awaited international debut.

This campaign was all about reconnecting with winning, something Scotland didn’t taste during their Nations League campaign.

Should they finish top of this group, they’ll return to League A, so gathering momentum is crucial, even at this crazy stage of the season.

Some players had a few days of pre-season at their clubs before joining up with squad, while others won't have a sniff of competitive football again until the end of September.

When their fitness and mentality was put to the test, they came out with flying colours - as they have done at nearly every time of asking in this campaign.

Scotland head coach Pedro Martinez Losa: "It was a proper team performance. I was really proud of the way we performed, it was a good result. Not conceding goals was key for us. We're top of the group and we created a lot of chances.

"This team has mental robustness to face the challenges on and off the pitch and also the mental resilience to face the challenges that happen from time to time. Now we go on to Serbia."

In the final game of the campaign, Scotland host Serbia at the Wyre Stadium on Tuesday, 16 July in a 18:00 BST kick-off.