Scotland raise their game to keep Euro dreams alive

The party goes on, just, as Scotland restore some pride and give themselves a real chance of reaching the knockout stages of Euro 2024 thanks to this battling draw against Switzerland.

- JAMIE BRAIDWOOD

After the no-show of Munich, Scotland turned up in Cologne when their campaign was on the line. A defeat would have seen Steve Clarke’s side all but eliminated but now, with a precious point in hand and heads lifted that bit higher, Scotland know a victory over Hungary on Sunday is all they need to reach a historic last-16 tie.

It may have been more had Grant Hanley’s towering header creeped inside the post, but in the closing stages of a tense night in a frenzied atmosphere in Cologne, Scotland and Switzerland may have informally settled on a draw. The result surely confirms Switzerland’s place in the knockout stages for the sixth major international tournament in a row, with Xherdan Shaqiri himself matching that feat following another sublime wondergoal on the big stage. It cancelled out Scott McTominay’s opener, deflected in off Fabian Schar.

Scotland certainly didn’t let anyone down this time, or show the same “fear” that contributed to the woeful 5-1 defeat to Germany. Scotland rectified some issues, pushing higher, taking more chances and showing more composure in possession. Much of that came from the recalled Billy Gilmour, whose return brought an instant improvement, allowing McTominay and John McGinn to get closer to Che Adams and join attacks, giving Andy Robertson the platform to bomb forward down the left.

But it could only do so much. Despite an improved start, Switzerland gradually showed and imposed their quality, while Scotland displayed their shortcomings. Shaqiri’s goal was the latest in a long line for Switzerland and the 32-year-old has now scored in every international tournament since the 2014 World Cup. Yet it was an avoidable gift from Scotland as Anthony Raltson’s disastrously short back pass allowed Shaqiri the sight of goal head coach Murat Yakin dreamed of when he brought the former Liverpool forward back into the team that beat Hungary so impressively on Saturday.