Euro 2024: Scotland battle to earn a point
Scotland 1 - 1 Switzerland
Scotland entered this match with one aim: to avoid being sent home with regrets.
A loss in Cologne would have left them needing unlikely help from other groups, even if they managed to beat Hungary in Stuttgart on Sunday.
Now, Scotland know a win against Hungary would bring them to a four-point total, likely enough to secure a coveted spot in the tournament knockout stages for the first time.
The Scots bounced back admirably from their 5-1 thrashing by Germany. However, as the dust settles on this thrilling encounter, they may felt they deserved more.
Just 102 seconds in, John McGinn won Scotland a corner, showing more attacking intent than in their painful loss in Munich on Friday. Scott McTominay took the set-piece, but it was deflected by a defender.
Scotland's breakthrough came from a Swiss corner. The Swiss hesitated after taking it short, allowing Scotland to counter. Billy Gilmour, back in the starting lineup, calmly passed to Andy Robertson. The Liverpool full-back charged to the edge of the Swiss penalty area before overhitting a pass to Callum McGregor.
McGregor salvaged the situation by laying the ball back to McTominay, whose shot deflected off Fabian Schär and past the stranded Yann Sommer. McTominay’s effort was on target but would have been easily saved by Sommer without Schär's intervention. Scotland had lift-off, but it was short-lived.
Anthony Ralston will have nightmares about his role in the equaliser. The right-back panicked and blindly flicked the ball inside, straight to Xherdan Shaqiri, who curled it past Angus Gunn with his first touch from 18 yards.
While Ralston's error will draw attention, it was a moment of brilliance from Shaqiri, who has scored in the last three European Championships and World Cups. Gunn then made a smart save from Dan Ndoye, as Switzerland looked to capitalise on their first-half dominance. Ndoye had the ball in the net seconds later but was ruled offside. Calling the play frenetic would be an understatement. It was a chaotic, thrilling affair, with neither team looking secure in defence.
Scotland managed to get through the latter stages of the half largely thanks to the composure of Gilmour and McGregor. They provided a delicate touch amidst the chaos. It was to Scotland's credit that Granit Xhaka had little influence in the first 45 minutes. Shaqiri, who was more impactful, was substituted at the hour mark.
The second half was a slow burner until Ndoye broke free of the Scottish defence, only to see his shot turned wide by the advancing Gunn. During the tussle with Ndoye, Kieran Tierney pulled up with a hamstring injury and was stretchered off, likely ending his tournament. Given his importance to Scotland, this was a significant blow.
Scotland nearly took the lead in the 67th minute when Robertson's free-kick was met by Grant Hanley's header, which struck the post and was cleared by the Swiss.
Clarke had to decide whether to push for a win or settle for a draw. The Swiss seemed content with a point but remained dangerous on the counterattack, targeting Ralston, who had another tough evening.
Scotland held out and gained what could prove to be a precious point.
