SCOTLAND 1-1 SWITZERLAND: Xherdan Shaqiri scored a wondergoal to claim a draw for the Swiss and leave Steve Clarke’s Scotland needing to beat Hungary to have a chance of reaching the Last 16
Scotland’s hopes of progressing into the knockout stages of Euro 2024 are hanging by a thread after they threw away the lead to draw with Switzerland.
After a thrashing by Germany in their opening game, Steve Clarke’s side needed to avoid defeat to stand any chance of making it out of Group A. Playing in a more aggressive style, they took an early lead when Scott McTominay’s shot was deflected in by he unfortunate Fabian Schär.
But it did not take long for Switzerland to get back on level terms and it was a mess all of Scotland’s own making. Anthony Ralston misplaced a pass back to defence, allowing Xherdan Shaqiri to latch onto it and curl a brilliant equaliser past Angus Gunn.
Neither side was able to find a second goal in an entertaining second-half in which Switzerland had a goal ruled out for offside and Scotland hit the post. But Clarke’s men must now beat Hungary to stand any chance of reaching the Last 16. Here, Mirror Football looks at the biggest talking points from Wednesday’s match.
Knockout dream hanging by a thread
With Germany having already reached the last 16 and Switzerland now sitting on four points, Scotland’s hopes of reaching the knockout stages are fading. If they beat Hungary, they can still go through as one of the best third-placed sides.
They showed enough against Switzerland to suggest they can give the Hungarians a tough game. But Steve Clarke’s men are now relying on other teams in other groups to help them make the knockouts.
Four points may well be enough to go through, but Hungary will be no pushovers despite their difficult start to the tournament. If they can’t beat the Hungarians, Scotland will once again head home early.
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Scotland’s defensive woes continue
Scotland have now conceded six goals in their opening two games of the tournament, the worst defensive record of any team. Their woes at the back showed little sign of improving against the Swiss.
After a solid start that saw them go a goal up, an awful error from Anthony Ralston allowed Switzerland to equalise. Ralston had been seeking to play the ball back to the centre-halves, but did not look up and his pass ended up behind them.
That allowed Shaqiri to race through and he curled a beautiful goal past Angus Gunn. Gunn himself did not look comfortable and had a few nervy moments throughout the match, having conceded five against the Germans.
Shaqiri’s remarkable record
It has been three years since Xherdan Shaqiri last played Premier League football. But the attacker has still clearly got what it takes to perform at the highest level after scoring a wondergoal to draw the Swiss level.
Shaqiri curled his shot beautifully into the top corner with a first time shot. This is his seventh major tournament at international level, a new record for the Switzerland national team.
His scoring record in that time is equally remarkable, with the former Liverpool star now having registered a goal at all of the last three Euros and all of the last three World Cups. Surprisingly, he is the only player to achieve that feat.
Tierney blow
Rather frustratingly for Scotland, two of their best players are left-backs, in Kieran Tierney and captain Andy Robertson. But boss Steve Clarke looks set to be forced into a tactical rethink for the rest of Scotland’s participation.
Tierney was stretched off on the hour mark after pulling up as he raced back to stop Dan Ndoye racing through. The Arsenal star was distraught as he left the pitch, with Clarke leaving his area to console the defender before he headed down the tunnel.
Scott McKenna moved into Tierney’s place, but Clarke may now want to change his tactics away from the three-at-the-back system he traditionally uses to accomdate both Robertson and the Gunners man.
Scotland fans remain believers
It would be difficult to find more vocal backers of their team than Scotland’s fans on Wednesday night. The Tartan Army were in full voice in Cologne, roaring their side on until the end.
The Scotland fans certainly outsung their Swiss counterparts and didn’t show any signs that they have given up hope of their side progressing. Clarke’s men would do well to share in some of that passion come their final game against Hungary.
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