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Scotland managed to secure a vital point against Switzerland, keeping their Euro 2024 aspirations intact despite injuries and earlier setbacks. Scott McTominay’s deflected shot put Scotland ahead, sending the Cologne Stadium into a frenzy. However, an ill-advised back pass from Anthony Ralston allowed Xherdan Shaqiri to equalize with a brilliant strike, leaving the Scots to fight hard for a draw.
Scotland’s early lead came from a deflected McTominay shot following an intense build-up. But Ralston’s error gifted Shaqiri an opportunity to level the score, which he did with a first-time shot past Angus Gunn. The Scots suffered another blow when Kieran Tierney left the field with a hamstring injury, further depleting their defense.
Despite these challenges, Scotland showed resilience. Grant Hanley almost restored their lead, hitting the post with a header from an Andy Robertson free-kick. Switzerland had their share of missed chances, unable to capitalize and secure the win that would have guaranteed their progression to the knockout stages.
Scotland, third in Group A, will now need a win against Hungary to advance beyond the group stage for the first time in their history. “I’ve never complained in my career as a coach. I’ve never looked for excuses but what the referee did tonight – I mean, come on,” Hungary boss Marco Rossi said, criticizing the officiating after their own game.
Scotland’s performance marked a stark improvement from their 5-1 loss to Germany. The team showcased the determination and energy reminiscent of their qualifying campaign. McTominay’s early goal, originating from a rapid counter-attack led by Robertson, set the tone.
In contrast, Switzerland, who impressed in their win over Hungary, struggled to maintain their dominance. Despite Shaqiri’s moment of brilliance and other near-misses, they couldn’t break through Scotland’s defense in the second half. Now, they face a daunting task against Germany in their final group match.
Scotland’s manager, Steve Clarke, expressed satisfaction with the result: “We always knew that the points we require would come from these two games. We’ve got one point now, that means we have a chance going into the last game.”
Captain Andy Robertson echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the team’s improved performance: “We make a mistake but Tony Ralston was unbelievable after that. Second half, he was different class.”
Midfielder Billy Gilmour highlighted the team’s resilience: “We knew we had to bounce back after the last performance and it puts us in a good place. Tonight was more like a Scotland performance.”
Statistically, this match marked the first time Scotland secured points in a Euros game after conceding, breaking a six-game losing streak under such conditions. McTominay’s goal continued his scoring streak, making him one of Scotland’s top contributors under Clarke. Shaqiri, on the other hand, made history by becoming the only European player to score in the last six major tournaments.
