Scotland 1-1 Switzerland - Match report & player ratings from hard fought draw in Cologne

Scotland’s chances of qualifying for the last 16 at EURO 2024 remain alive but all roads now lead to an all or nothing clash with Hungary in Stuttgart on Sunday after a 1-1 draw with Switzerland.

It was a performance that was night and day from their opening humiliation at the hands of Germany and it was a point they had to fight hard to earn. Steve Clarke made two changes to the starting XI that was humbled in Berlin with Grant Hanley coming in for the suspended Ryan Porteous and Billy Gilmour replacing Ryan Christie. 

The early stages of the match saw the Scots approach with a much higher tempo and press than wasn’t present against the hosts and their bravery was rewarded when the hero of qualifying, Scott McTominay, got on the end of a Callum McGregor cut back after Andy Robertson carried the ball up the pitch and his effort from 18 yards was deflected past Yan Sommer by Fabian Schar. 

Unfortunately, with the quality of sides at international tournament's, it only takes one lapse in concentration and Anthony Ralston was punished for that when his back-pass was pounced on by Xherdan Shaqiri who put a sensational shot past Gunn from distance to equalise. That goal gave Switzerland a shot in the arm that allowed them to take control of the game for the next ten minutes and they had the ball in the back of the net again through Dan Ndoye but an offside call was a welcome let off.

Scotland wrestled back control for the remainder of the first half and Switzerland seemed content to half heartedly press their defence, a point in this match wouldn't be a disaster for them after all having beaten Hungary in their opener. That being said, it was still all to play for after the break.

The first 15 minutes of the second half saw Scotland with more of the ball but unable to create any real danger while the Swiss looked far more direct when they did have possession. Steve Clarke was then dealt a blow bigger than any of Germany's five goals when Kieran Tierney was stretchered off in the 60th minute and it looks like the Arsenal defender's tournament is over. 

The biggest chance of the game for either side since the goals fell to Grant Hanley after he met Robertson's free kick on the six yard line and his powerful header rattled the far post. The resulting scramble saw another clearance before the Swiss got the danger away.

The Swiss fans behind the goal had the beer in the air in celebration when substitute Breel Embolo scored in the 82nd minute but the Monaco forward was clearly well offside. Then came a massive let off for Scotland in the 89th minute when a dangerous ball into the box was met by the head of Zeki Amdouni who should have scored but his effort was wide. 

Scotland now head into their final game with Hungary knowing that a win should be enough to book their slot in the Last 16.