There was no unwanted making of history, no fifth defeat in succession. The run of form extended to one win in 16 games but the attitude displayed by the hosts on Glasgow's south side was of one fully committed to their manager.
Cristiano Ronaldo was denied a 134th international goal. In truth, he never really looked like collecting it. Scotland will take great heart from the small step made here. Not only did they scrap in a form which has made this team so generally successful but had a level of organisation which owes plenty to effective coaching. Clarke's detractors should take note. Ronaldo left the field in an agitated state.
Ronaldo-mania had gripped Paisley - where Portugal trained on Monday and their hotel on the banks of Loch Lomond. Ronaldo had looked content to accommodate the masses.
The sight of Scottish youngsters in Ronaldo strips at Hampden Park emphasised the theory this was no ordinary fixture. The 39-year-old had never played at this venue before; the Nations League allowed him to follow in the footsteps of Pele, Maradona, Puskas and Beckenbauer by taking to the Hampden pitch.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة October 16, 2024 من The Guardian.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة October 16, 2024 من The Guardian.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
Tuchel time German agrees deal to be England's new manager
Thomas Tuchel has agreed to become England's manager after talks with the Football Association accelerated yesterday.
City to target Amorim if Guardiola exits in summer
Manchester City are strongly considering the Sporting head coach, Rúben Amorim, as their next manager if Pep Guardiola leaves when his contract expires at the end of the season.
The 'footballaholic' Could tactical Thomas solve England puzzle?
One of Thomas Tuchel's old bosses calls him a \"footballaholic\". The image is of a man who spends every minute of every day poring over the game's tactical intricacies.
Tuchel is an intriguing, baggage-heavy choice that makes sense
Acombustible Champions League winner and tactical zealot with authority issues’. The narrative has been all England need isa winner. Well, now you've got one
Scotland frustrate Ronaldo in reminder of Clarke's qualities
Those with pitchforks pointing in the direction of Steve Clarke could barely have enjoyed this.
Writing was on the wall after fans lost faith in project
It is sad to see a journey that started with such promise end in a whimper. That is the reality of Jonas Eidevall's Arsenal tenure, which was bookended by matches against Chelsea - his opening game a thrilling 3-2 victory and his final one a blunt 2-1 defeat that epitomised problems that just would not go away.
Mbappé fury at reports of rape claim in Swedish media
Swedish prosecutors say a rape investigation had been opened in Stockholm without mentioning Kylian Mbappé, following media reports that the France captain and Real Madrid player was the suspect.
Ferguson loses ambassador role as United cuts continue
The latest victim of the Ineos-led economy drive at Manchester United is none other than Sir Alex Ferguson. Since his appointment as a club ambassador in 2013, after stepping down as manager, Ferguson has been the recipient of a lucrative stipend, with company accounts in 2014 showing he received £2.16m for that role.
Eidevall resigns as Arsenal head coach after dire run
Jonas Eidevall has resigned as the Arsenal head coach amid intense pressure after a poor sequence of results. The Swede had been in charge since 2021, winning the League Cup twice, but quit after the heavy defeat by Bayern Munich in the Women's Champions League last Wednesday was followed by the Women's Super League loss at home to Chelsea on Saturday.
Lawyer leading brain injury case probed over player recruitment
The man leading the brain injury lawsuit representing hundreds of rugby players is under investigation from the Solicitors Regulation Authority after a former England international claimed in a submission to court that he felt pressured to lie about having dementia.
