Scotland’s hopes of reaching the knockout stages of Euro 2024 are still alive after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Switzerland on Wednesday.
Steve Clarke’s men took the lead in the first half after Scott McTominay’s shot took a wicked deflection past Yann Sommer into the Swiss net.
Xherdan Shaqiri responded in emphatic fashion, capitalizing on Anthony Ralston’s stray back-flip before firing into the top left corner of Scotland’s goal.
Scotland continued to hit the post before Switzerland were denied a goal for offside to see their share of Group A ruined.
Our man AADAM PATEL runs the rule through two sets of players in Cologne.
Scotland’s hopes of qualifying for the knockout rounds are still alive after a 1-1 draw with Switzerland
Scotland (3-4-1-2)
Angus Gunn – 6
Was thrown out by Shaqiri’s strike but made some important saves from Ndoye. It’s all over the place for a goal that Ndoye doesn’t allow but a solid display that will make you believe in a world of good.
Anthony Ralston – 5
A sloppy backpass that led to Shaqiri’s goal. Just can’t make that kind of mistake. Switzerland all over him but fair play for 25 years for the second half is better.
Jack Hendry – 6
Part of the back three that starts with the high line. Had a shaky start with a dodgy backpass that went out for a corner but was good on the night.
Grant Hanley – 6
One of the two Scots was replaced in the starting eleven. At 32, he is Scotland’s oldest outfield starter at the Euros since Ally McCoist in 1996 and was unlucky not to score with a header off the post. Solid switch.
Kieran Tierney – 6
More touches (40) than anyone else in the first half, but fortunately Ndoye missed the sitter after converting in the second half. Had to go out with what looked like a hamstring injury late in the tournament. He looked confused.
Andy Robertson – 7
Influence for the goal, driving up the field before choosing McGregor. Excellent delivery for Hanley’s header which hit the post but otherwise his setpiece delivery was hit and miss. Energetic shift, as always.
Andy Robertson made an energetic shift as usual and had an impact on the goal
It was despair for Kieran Tierney who suffered what looked like a tournament-ending injury
Scott McTominay – 7
People for the big moment. A bit of luck for the goal but neither he nor Scotland will care at all. A very good look and can be closed with a blocked attack.
Billy Gilmour – 7.5
Came on after starting on the bench against Germany and was Scotland’s best player. Too slow to score and constantly involved when the Scots have it. Make a difference.
Callum McGregor – 6
Well done to Scott McTominay for that goal after looking like he’d lost his balance. Scotland are stronger on the flanks.
Billy Gilmour showed great composure when scoring goals and was constantly involved
John McGinn – 6
So much better than Friday night. Always use your body well to maintain possession. Get a well-deserved booking for the right mistake in Fabian Schar.
Che Adams – 5
Rarely got the ball in the first half, with just 11 touches but came close to half-time when a volley from a corner went straight to Sommer. That’s how quiet the second half was.
SUB
Scott McKenna – 6
Replaced Tierney on the hour mark and did what was asked. Will expect him now to play a key role on Sunday against Hungary.
Kenny McLean – 6
Came on for Billy Gilmour in the 79th minute and did well.
Manager: Steve Clarke – 7
After a difficult few days after the mauling in Munich, he will be very proud of this performance. Different views in each department.
SWITZERLAND (3-4-2-1)
Yann Sommer – 6
Couldn’t do anything to stop Scotland’s goal after Schar’s deflection. Made a great save on the brink of half-time to deny Che Adams.
Fabian Schar – 5
Unlucky for the goal but could have a strong connection. Had more touches (69) than any other Swiss player on the night but was beaten in the air by Hanley for Scotland’s best chance of winning the game.
Manuel Akanji – 7
Solid, as usual. Strong in possession and out of possession and regularly push up the pitch. Made a crucial clearance at the end to stop Scotland holding on for the championship.
Manuel Akanji was strong in and out of possession and regularly pushed upfield
Ricardo Rodriguez – 6
Booked in the first half for a late challenge on Gilmour but made the ball, as did Schar and Akanji in the Swiss back three. Solid display.
Silvan Widmer – 6
His job was to reduce the right side against the left side that the Scots favored. Battled well throughout the evening before being replaced by Leonidas Stergiou at the end.
Granit Xhaka – 6
It was important for Switzerland’s tempo, as expected, but it didn’t have as much of an impact on the game as it did against Hungary. Scotland can take confidence from that.
Remo Freuler – 6
Growing in confidence as the game progressed but struggling to keep up with the intensity of Scotland’s improving press. Substituted in the second half for Vincent Sierra.
Xherdan Shaqiri – 7.5
The start included an interesting inclusion, replacing Kwadwo Duah, but there was no doubt about his class. What a hit for the Swiss equalizer. Became the first Swiss player to appear in seven major tournaments, before being replaced on the hour mark for Breel Embolo.
Xherdan Shaqiri (right) scored a wonder goal to level the scores for Switzerland
The Swiss forward curled an effort into the top corner of the Scottish net
Michel Aebischer – 6
Starred in the first game against Hungary and looked comfortable in possession without threatening to do anything special.
Ruben Vargas – 6
Always looked like a threat in the final third but the closest he came to scoring was with a direct strike to Gunn. Substituted in the 75th minute for Fabian Rieder.
Dan Ndoye – 7
Caused trouble for the Scottish defense, regularly presented a threat and was denied by two brilliant saves from Gunn. Unlucky not to get a goal after an incredibly tight offside call.
SUB
Breel Embolo – 6
Came on for Shaqiri on the hour mark and looked deadly. An ice finish that should have given Switzerland three points but he was offside.
Vincent Sierra – 5
Remo Freuler came on in the 75th minute.
Fabian Reider – 5
Ruben Vargas entered in the 75th minute.
Leonidas Stergiou – 5
Silvan Widmer entered in the 86th minute.
Zeki Amdouni – 5
So it was for Dan Ndoye in the 86th minute. Missed the sitter.
Manager: Murat Yakin – 6
Come out before kick-off to gee the Swiss supporters up, knowing the winner will secure qualification. After a shaky start, his team is improving and he will be happy to take the point that puts the Swiss in a good position to qualify.
