Scotland’s hopes of reaching the knockout levels of a significant match 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 aspect 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, through a deflection off Fabian Schar, following a fast counter-attack.
The purpose sparked delirious celebrations from the Tartan Military inside Cologne Stadium however Switzerland quickly levelled by veteran Xherdan Shaqiri, who produced an excellent, first-time end from the sting of the field after pouncing on Anthony Ralston’s unfastened move.
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 submit from Andrew Robertson’s free-kick.
Kris Boyd celebrates Scotland’s opener towards Switzerland
That was as shut Scotland got here to taking all three factors, and what would have been their first win at a significant match 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 huge.
Picture:
Grant Hanley hit the submit 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 ultimate recreation on Sunday would give Scotland an opportunity of progressing as one of many 4 greatest third-placed finishers.
The one blot on the night time 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 assembly with Hungary.
Clarke rues Tierney blow
Scotland boss Steve Clarke stated: “It seems fairly unhealthy. We have now to evaluate it, however Kieran will not make the subsequent recreation.
“It’s important to really feel for Kieran, he is bought himself in nice form and he is a high participant for us. It is a disgrace however another person has bought to step on top of things.”
Star performer: McTominay essential
Scott McTominay’s purpose – his eighth in his final 14 video games for the nationwide staff – was his standout second however this was a superb all-round efficiency from the Manchester United midfielder.
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Scott McTominay was lively all around the pitch, together with in each containers
He drove the aspect ahead in possession, as he so usually 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 essential off the ball, relishing the task of shadowing Granit Xhaka in an effort to restrict his affect and finishing up the duty diligently.
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Gunn: We have been 10 occasions higher
Scotland goalkeeper Angus Gunn stated: “Every part within the recreation, from the beginning, was 10 occasions higher than the opposite night time.
“The lads managed to maintain it going for 90 minutes. A few of them have been flagging by the top nevertheless it was way more like us.
“We needed to carry that [the intensity] again into the sport at this time. We did that and also you see the carry it gave the gamers and the followers. That was the enhance we wanted at first of the sport.
“Personally I used to be hurting after the sport on Friday night time as I did not suppose I had carried out myself justice. I believe plenty of the boys felt like that as nicely. That was the motivation, to return out and present what we’re all about.
Kris Boyd says Scotland ‘did the nation proud’ as they drew with Switzerland
“We needed to enter the final recreation with one thing to play for. We go to the final recreation figuring out what we’ve got to do and hopefully we will get a giant end result.”
Captain Andrew Robertson stated: “Way more like us, aggressive on the entrance foot and bought off to a significantly better begin.
“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 totally different class.
“We have now our possibilities, nevertheless it was an open recreation. That was much more like us and we’re much more proud of that efficiency. We’ll take the draw and there is all to play for within the final recreation. That is all we will ask for.”
Boyd: They’ve carried out the nation proud
Sky Sports activities’ Kris Boyd stated: “There have been questions and criticism after the efficiency on Friday night time and rightly so.
“Tonight they’ve responded and it has been extra like Scotland, proper of their faces.
“Switzerland aren’t any mugs at this stage however they’ve greater than matched them and so they come away with a draw.
“Sure they rode their luck at occasions however I believe Steve Clarke will probably be comparatively proud of that end result.”
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 will probably be joined by 4 of the six third-placed finishers within the teams. The perimeters ending third will probably be positioned right into a league desk, with the highest 4 sides progressing to the final 16.
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The groups that end third of their respective teams are ranked so as of the next standards, beginning with:
1) Factors
2) Objective distinction
3) Targets scored
4) Wins
5) Decrease disciplinary factors whole
6) European Qualifiers total rating
7) If hosts Germany are concerned within the comparability, drawing of heaps
The match then strikes to a straight knockout format, with one-legged ties – together with extra-time and penalties if needed – till two sides attain the ultimate on July 14 in Berlin.