A goalless draw away to Belgium in World Cup qualifying left the Scotland squad feeling a distinct sense of frustration. That reaction, however, speaks volumes about the team's growth under head coach Melissa Andreatta.

Leaving Leuven with a single point against the group's top seeds wasn't met with celebration, but with a palpable sense of a missed opportunity. This shift in mentality highlights a team that now expects to compete with Europe's best, not just participate.

Consider the context: Belgium, ranked 18th in the world, boasts a striker with over 100 international goals and a consistent record at major tournaments. For Scotland to dominate large portions of the game and feel aggrieved not to win is a significant marker of progress.

"I think it reveals their character and what they're all about," Andreatta told BBC Scotland, praising her team's "professional, mature, experienced performance" in a chaotic environment.

While the immediate feeling was one of frustration, the broader picture is promising. Taking two points from a double-header against Belgium is a solid foundation in the quest for World Cup qualification. The group remains tightly poised, with Scotland still sitting top, but the team knows the job is far from complete.

As defender Nicola Docherty put it, "It's a really nice place to be in, but we need to make sure we're on it for the next games." This blend of ambition and focus is the hallmark of a team on the rise, one that believes it belongs on the biggest stage.