Euro Result: Scotland 1-1 Switzerland

In Group A, a tense draw in Cologne saw Switzerland and Scotland split the points.

This was only the teams’ second match of the tournament, but because of Scotland’s standing in the group and their passionate supporters from the beginning, this Group A match seemed like a knockout round.

Huge cheers greeted each successful throw-in and 50/50 tackle, and the team quickly took the lead. Callum McGregor was supplied by Andy Robertson after he burst free down the left, and McTominay sent his cut-back goalward. Fabian Schär extended his leg and deflected the ball into the upper corner, defying Yann Sommer’s apparent attempt to collect.

The Tartan Army was in ecstasies, but their happiness was short-lived as Switzerland leveled the score by the 26th minute. Shaqiri, who was playing in his maiden tournament appearance, was holding a prominent role when Anthony Ralston slid a pass inside. He grabbed hold of it and bent a fantastic first-time attempt past Angus Gunn.

The game’s tempo failed to settle and the Scotland goalkeeper had to stay alert to deny Dan Ndoye. On the hour, Kieran Tierney’s hamstring injury forced him off the field while attempting to stop Ndoye, who could only fire wide, dealing a setback to Steve Clarke’s team. With the game still in the balance, Grant Hanley then headed a Robertson free-kick against the post.

McTominay’s shot was blocked, and Ndoye was still looking threatening, this time down the left with Breel Embolo joining the fight. As the game entered extra time, Zeki Amdouni, another replacement from Switzerland, headed just wide, but Scotland was applying pressure in the closing moments. Switzerland now sits four points behind already-qualified Germany in Group A, but at least they have maintained their hope of playing in the European Championship, despite their inability to deliver their supporters the second goal they so desperately wanted.

Important statistics

The only player from Europe to score in each of the previous six World Cup and EURO competitions is Shaqiri.
After losing their previous six games while conceding a goal, this is the first time Scotland has at least a point in a EURO game after conceding a goal.
John McGinn has participated in 31 of Scotland’s last games across all competitions, which is the longest streak since Tom Boyd participated in 38 straight games between August 1995 and June 1999.
Beginning with XI, Switzerland named its oldest-ever EURO (30 years 119 days).
Scotland has not hit the net more than once at a EURO since scoring three goals in 1992.
Shaqiri has now represented Switzerland in seven World Cup and EURO competitions.
In their previous 12 European matches, Switzerland has only lost once (W4, D7).