Scotland squandered a three-goal lead with 16 minutes to play as it drew 3-3 with Argentina in Paris on Wednesday to see its Women's World Cup campaign end in heartbreak.
Following 2-1 defeats to England and Japan in its first two matches, only victory for Scotland would do in its final Group D outing if it was to claim third place.
Goals from Kim Little, Jennifer Beattie and Erin Cuthbert put Scotland in complete control, but Argentina hit back through Milagros Menendez's strike, a Lee Alexander own goal and an added-time penalty from Flor Bonsegundo that was retaken.
READ : Scotland vs Argentina, as it happened
Scotland had put itself in pole position to go through prior to the dramatic late twist, but it now finishes bottom of the standings and it is Argentina who could still advance as one of the best third-place finishers, depending on Thursday's outcome in Groups E and F.
Argentina struck the frame of the goal through Mariana Larroquette's header and, less than two minutes later, Shelley Kerr's side were in front.
Following a slow start to the must-win game, that near-miss sparked Scotland into life and Little had a straightforward finish from five yards after Cuthbert was denied with a powerful shot.
Beattie appeared to give her side some breathing space with a powerful header past Vanina Correa early in the second half and Cuthbert converted into an empty net for goal number three after Leanne Crichton's attempt was parried onto the woodwork.
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But Argentina showed immense fighting spirit as substitute Menendez rounded off a quick counter to pull one back and Bonsegundo found a way past Alexander with a long-range shot that hit the bar and went in off the keeper.
Then came the late twist as Alexander saved Bonsegundo's penalty, but it was deemed that she came off her line early and Bonsegundo converted at the second attempt to cap a thrilling finale.
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