Scotland’s hopes of reaching the knockout levels of a serious event for the primary time of their historical past are nonetheless alive after a hard-fought 1-1 draw towards Switzerland in Group A.
Steve Clarke’s facet have been a lot improved from Friday’s 5-1 thrashing by Euro 2024 hosts Germany and went in entrance early on when Scott McTominay dispatched Callum McGregor’s cut-back, by way of a deflection off Fabian Schar, following a speedy counter-attack.
The purpose sparked delirious celebrations from the Tartan Military inside Cologne Stadium however Switzerland quickly levelled by way of veteran Xherdan Shaqiri, who produced an excellent, first-time end from the sting of the field after pouncing on Anthony Ralston’s unfastened go.
The 2 sides continued to commerce blows within the second half, with Angus Gunn, glorious when saving from Dan Ndoye within the first interval, once more denying the Swiss ahead from a one-on-one probability earlier than Grant Hanley headed an enormous Scotland alternative towards the publish from Andrew Robertson’s free-kick.
That was as shut Scotland got here to taking all three factors, and what would have been their first win at a serious event since beating the identical opponent at Euro 1996, however on the different finish they confirmed spectacular defensive resilience, surviving a late scare when substitute Zeki Amdouni headed wastefully broad.
Grant Hanley hit the publish as Scotland pushed for a second-half winner
The draw places Scotland on one level from two video games in Group A, three behind the second-placed Swiss, who’re all however certified together with Germany. Crucially, although, it means a win over Hungary of their closing sport on Sunday would give Scotland an opportunity of progressing as one of many 4 greatest third-placed finishers.
The one blot on the evening was an harm to defender Kieran Tierney, who needed to be stretchered off within the second half having gone to floor clutching his hamstring, with Clarke confirming afterwards that he will certainly miss the rest of the event.
Star performer: McTominay essential
Scott McTominay’s purpose – his eighth for the nationwide crew – was his standout second however this was a wonderful all-round efficiency from the Manchester United midfielder.
Scott McTominay was lively everywhere in the pitch, together with in each packing containers
He drove the facet ahead in possession, as he so typically does, taking twice as many pictures (4) as any of his team-mates and rating high for touches within the opposition field (eight).
However he was equally necessary off the ball, relishing the project of shadowing Granit Xhaka so as to restrict his affect and finishing up the duty diligently.
Gunn: We have been 10 occasions higher
Scotland goalkeeper Angus Gunn stated: “Everything in the game, from the start, was 10 times better than the other night.
“The lads managed to maintain it going for 90 minutes. A few of them have been flagging by the top but it surely was way more like us.
“We wanted to bring that [the intensity] back into the game today. We did that and you see the lift it gave the players and the fans. That was the boost we needed at the start of the game.
“Personally I used to be hurting after the sport on Friday evening as I did not assume I had carried out myself justice. I feel a whole lot of the boys felt like that as effectively. That was the motivation, to return out and present what we’re all about.
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Kris Boyd says Scotland ‘did the nation proud’ as they drew with Switzerland
“We wanted to go into the last game with something to play for. We go to the last game knowing what we have to do and hopefully we can get a big result.”
Captain Andrew Robertson stated: “Much more like us, aggressive on the front foot and got off to a much better start.
“We make a mistake however Tony Ralston was unbelievable after that mistake. Not many individuals might come again from that, however second half he was completely different class.
“We have our chances, but it was an open game. That was far more like us and we’re a lot more happy with that performance. We’ll take the draw and there’s all to play for in the last game. That’s all we can ask for.”
How does rating third-placed groups work?
The highest two groups from every of the six teams will proceed to the spherical of 16.
These 12 sides shall be joined by 4 of the six third-placed finishers within the teams. The edges ending third shall be positioned right into a league desk, with the highest 4 sides progressing to the final 16.
The groups that end third of their respective teams are ranked so as of the next standards, beginning with:
1) Factors
2) Purpose distinction
3) Objectives scored
4) Wins
5) Decrease disciplinary factors whole
6) European Qualifiers general rating
7) If hosts Germany are concerned within the comparability, drawing of tons
The event then strikes to a straight knockout format, with one-legged ties – together with extra-time and penalties if vital – till two sides attain the ultimate on July 14 in Berlin.
