Scotland’s Heroic Comeback
Scotland wrestled free from the shackles of injury and self-destruction to muster a precious point against Switzerland, keeping their Euro 2024 campaign alive. Qualification hero Scott McTominay’s deflected shot almost lifted the roof off the deafening Cologne stadium on 13 minutes, setting the tone for a thrilling encounter.
A Costly Error and Swift Response
However, a bewildering blind back pass from Anthony Ralston gift-wrapped an opportunity for Xherdan Shaqiri to sweep home a sublime first-time shot high beyond Angus Gunn, putting the Swiss ahead. The setback was compounded when Kieran Tierney pulled up clutching his hamstring as Dan Ndoye ran on to squander a golden chance when through on goal. Tierney’s injury means he will miss the crucial game against Hungary on Sunday.
Late Drama and a Hard-Earned Point
Despite these challenges, the Scots, already patched up in defense, roused themselves heroically in the closing stages. Grant Hanley struck a post with a header from an Andy Robertson free-kick, signaling Scotland’s intent. The Swiss spurned a host of late chances, but not enough to deny Scotland a vital point. This result moves Scotland to third in Group A, with a victory against Hungary likely enough to secure their progression out of the group stage for the first time in their history.
The resilience and determination shown by the Scottish team in this match highlight their potential to overcome adversity and achieve historic success in the Euro 2024 qualifiers.
