Cologne Stadium, Scott Mullen, BBC Sport Scotland
Gettin’ back on track after a slew of injuries and self-destruction, Scotland salvaged a point against Switzerland to save their chances of qualifying for Euro 2024.
At the thirteen-minute mark, the already-deaf Cologne Stadium nearly went into a frenzy as hero Scott McTominay’s deflected shot nearly lifted the roof off the stadium.
But Xherdan Shaqiri had a chance to beat Angus Gunn with a magnificent first-time shot after Anthony Ralston’s perplexing blind back ball set him up.
Kieran Tierney will not play in Sunday’s match against Hungary after he limped up clutching his hamstring as Dan Ndoye wasted a glorious opportunity while through on goal.
However, the Scots, who had already made defensive repairs, rallied bravely in the dying moments, and Grant Hanley’s header from a free kick by Andy Robertson hit the post.
Despite missing several late opportunities, Switzerland could only manage a draw, allowing Scotland to move up to third place in Group A. A win against Hungary would guarantee that Switzerland would advance past the group stage for the first time in their history.
Bring optimism to the Tartan Army with Scotland’s rising
Tens of thousands of Scots braced themselves at the base of the gigantic Kolner Dom to witness their team’s ascent of an equally formidable obstacle.
The Scottish squad that shocked Norway or upset Spain in qualifying a year ago was drastically different from Friday’s 5-1 loss to hosts Germany.
In the expansive Allianz Arena, their cunning and determination were forsaken.
On the first day of the tournament, they thrashed a Swiss squad that had previously dominated the Hungarians in this scorching furnace.
In the first match, Scotland played like they did in the qualifiers. After a McTominay header sent the ball sailing over the crossbar, Andy Robertson rode a cavalry charge down the pitch with the ball.
After receiving a hefty pass from Callum McGregor, the Manchester United midfielder unleashed a first-time shot that soared high into the net after taking a significant deflection off Fabian Schar.
In the first half, Switzerland’s right backs continued to show signs of nervousness, and the game had several thrilling moments as the Swiss squandered several clear scoring opportunities with time running out.
However, Scotland came out swinging in the second half, attacking with abandon and creating an opportunity for themselves. The large Scotland throng that made the journey from the city centre, including Steve Clarke, could not have wished for more.
Chance passed up by Switzerland?
The Swiss team’s performance vs Hungary, especially the exciting first half, garnered a lot of praise.
Their first 45-minute break against Scotland was terrible. Especially on the right side of the Scots’ problematic field.
They have a talisman in Shaqiri that is unlike any other. His miraculous goal made it three consecutive World Cups and European Championships in which he has scored.
Two times, the Swiss had the ball in the net, but they were disallowed due to offside flags. A win would have advanced them to tie round of 16.
In addition, there were two egregious omissions.
However, they also showed defensive vulnerability in the opening minutes of the second half as they launched their counterattacks.
With Germany waiting for them in their last group game, they will be lamenting this opportunity lost. Still, it’s possible that four points will be sufficient to get them through.
Their statements
“It was a pleasure to see them,” said Scotland head coach Steve Clarke. We were absent from the first game. We do well as a team.
These two games have always been a guarantee of the points we need. With this point, we are still in the hunt heading into the last game.
“I believe if we get those three points, we go to the next stage.”
Not much different from us, actually quite similar,” said Scotland captain Andy Robertson. No better way to begin going than aggressively with forward momentum.
After our error, Tony Ralston was sensational. By the second half, he had stepped up his game.
While we did have opportunities, they also did. That performance brought us a lot more joy. All we can ask is that we bring that into the last game.
We played with all our heart out there,” said Billy Gilmour, a midfielder for Scotland. After our last performance, we knew we had to recover, and this has put us in a strong position to do just that.
“We work well together. Identifying our strengths is a top priority. This evening felt more like a Scotland show. Enthusiastic pursuit of the ball – it was all there.
Match stats
Scots have never before won a Euro match while trailing after surrendering a goal. In the process, they had dropped their last six.
After six consecutive victories (W2, D4, L1), Scotland has yet to lose to Switzerland at a major competition (W1 D1). Against Switzerland, they have scored 4 out of 9 Euro points, or 44% of their total.
Under Steve Clarke, only John McGinn (18 goals) has scored more goals for Scotland than Scott McTominay (9 goals). Since qualification began in March 2023, he has scored eight goals, which is more than double the amount of any other player for Scotland.
After going winless in their first two group stage games in 2016 (W1 D1), Switzerland has won four of their last seven European Championship matches (W4 D7).
As of the 2014 World Cup, no European player had scored in all six of the major tournaments. That changed when Xherdan Shaqiri made history.
They started their oldest-ever starting eleven in a European Championship match (30 years and 119 days). Aside from Slovakia, no other team in these finals has fielded an older starting eleven (30y 229d).
Scotland
4
S. McTominay
Average Rating:
7.11
Number:
3
A. Robertson
Average Rating:
6.69
Number:
2
A. Ralston
Average Rating:
6.53
Number:
1
A. Gunn
Average Rating:
6.29
Number:
6
K. Tierney
Average Rating:
6.11
Number:
7
J. McGinn
Average Rating:
6.05
Number:
5
G. Hanley
Average Rating:
5.90
Number:
8
C. McGregor
Average Rating:
5.71
Number:
13
J. Hendry
Average Rating:
5.68
Number:
10
C. Adams
Average Rating:
5.67
Number:
26
S. McKenna
Average Rating:
5.48
Number:
23
K. McLean
Average Rating:
5.03
Number:
11
R. Christie
Average Rating:
4.81
Number:
9
L. Shankland
Average Rating:
4.74
Number:
14
B. Gilmour
Average Rating:
4.73
Switzerland
23
X. Shaqiri
Average Rating:
7.16
Number:
5
M. Akanji
Average Rating:
6.86
Number:
19
D. Ndoye
Average Rating:
6.29
Number:
17
R. Vargas
Average Rating:
6.29
Number:
1
Y. Sommer
Average Rating:
6.09
Number:
22
F. Schär
Average Rating:
6.03
Number:
10
G. Xhaka
Average Rating:
6.03
Number:
7
B. Embolo
Average Rating:
5.89
Number:
8
R. Freuler
Average Rating:
5.76
Number:
13
R. Rodríguez
Average Rating:
5.73
Number:
3
S. Widmer
Average Rating:
5.72
Number:
20
M. Aebischer
Average Rating:
5.71
Number:
25
Z. Amdouni
Average Rating:
5.43
Number:
26
F. Rieder
Average Rating:
5.39
Number:
16
V. Sierro
Average Rating:
5.20
Number:
2
L. Stergiou
Average Rating:
5.17
