![Billy Gilmour of Scotland applauds the fans](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/football/2024/06/19/TELEMMGLPICT000382487575_17188335805140_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqkWXO4wRD55kvVOA4A5GaRGeZOn_zQyjqlbo5lCwJmMc.jpeg?imwidth=680)
Scotland’s Euro 2024 hopes still alive after draw with Switzerland
![Billy Gilmour of Scotland applauds the fans](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/football/2024/06/19/TELEMMGLPICT000382487575_17188335805140_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqkWXO4wRD55kvVOA4A5GaRGeZOn_zQyjqlbo5lCwJmMc.jpeg?imwidth=680)
Amid the fierce pride and acute anxiety among the travelling Scotland support at a draw that keeps the nation’s hopes in the European Championship alive, it was once again Scott McTominay who came to the rescue of his country.
The Lancashire-born Manchester United boy of Scottish heritage – a father from Helensburgh – scored more goals in the qualification for this tournament than Erling Haaland did for Norway. In Cologne, with humiliation lurking just at Scotland’s shoulder, so it was McTominay who once again supplied the goal that made the difference. It is not always simple to discern a great fluency to Scotland’s approach but McTominay has experience of playing for these kinds of stakes.
The 27-year-old was earning his 51st cap, after seven goals in qualifying, including both in the historic 2-0 win over Spain at Hampden, and the matchwinner away to Cyprus. His first-half goal, at the end of Scotland’s best move, took a heavy touch off the Newcastle United defender Fabian Schar on its way in but was decreed a McTominay goal by Uefa.
![Schar's touch takes the ball into his own net](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/football/2024/06/19/TELEMMGLPICT000382477952_17188372290890_trans_NvBQzQNjv4Bq0cFmALfDe88GEY3O6DWJb6qoyo74RDQTQAlJG8Uimf0.jpeg?imwidth=350)
It means that eight of McTominay’s nine goals for Scotland have been scored either in qualifying for Euro 2024 or at the tournament itself. With Liverpool’s Andy Robertson, the captain and driving force for the goal, as well as Aston Villa’s John McGinn and the reinstated Billy Gilmour, of Brighton, this core of the team was crucial in the decisive moments. Grant Hanley had a fine game in the centre of defence, a replacement for the suspended Ryan Porteous, and with some determination, Scotland powered through to the draw.
They face Hungary on Sunday in Stuttgart – a team who have been defeated twice – where a win will give them four points. As well as second place in Group A, there are four knockout places available for the best third-place teams should Scotland fail to overhaul the Swiss. Switzerland would need a point at least against the hosts Germany to secure second place.
Another Premier League player, Kieran Tierney, contracted to Arsenal but on loan at Real Sociedad last season – now surplus to Mikel Arteta’s requirements – looked to have been badly injured in the second half and is certainly out of Sunday’s game. Like Tierney, McTominay also faces a summer where he knows his club will listen to offers for him.
![Kieran Tierney](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/football/2024/06/19/TELEMMGLPICT000382486051_17188368573770_trans_NvBQzQNjv4Bq5yQLQqeH37t50SCyM4-zeGcv5yZLmao6LolmWYJrXns.jpeg?imwidth=350)
United would have sold McTominay last summer had an acceptable offer been made. It will be the same in this window with a single year remaining on his current deal and an option to extend that until 2026. In this Scotland team McTominay is invaluable. At United they are not always successful in controlling possession either, but for his country, McTominay is obliged to disrupt and fight as a matter of course.
“This is how we play and how we work,” said manager Steve Clarke. “As well as the aggression and the fight and that dirty side of the game.” It will be the same exhausting process on Sunday. There was 47 per cent possession for Scotland against Switzerland and no quantum of it came easy.
Scotland’s performance against Germany on Friday had brought quite some pressure to bear. Clarke had said that he had always intended to play Gilmour in this game and pointed out that the midfielder had tired towards the end. Indeed, it was very different with the Scots on top at the end. While they did not create many chances, they did at least generate some momentum.
McTominay told the BBC: “In the second half, I thought we were good in terms of how we managed the game and how we pressed them high all night. I think that meant it made a big difference in comparison to the Germany game.”
Hanley sent a header soundly against the post in the second half when the defender chose to put his face in where others stuck their boots. Never did Scotland manage a move as good as the one in the 12th minute from which they scored.
![Grant Hanley's header](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/football/2024/06/19/TELEMMGLPICT000382489023_17188371206050_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqEduPGWXTgvtbFyMaMlYatt5HfJMDGz2ut_fb3D_DyLc.jpeg?imwidth=350)
That left side is Scotland’s best attacking asset and the players were cognisant that if they could not cover the ground to get to Che Adams in attack when they won the ball, then they were not likely to do much with it at all. It began when Scotland were defending a corner and caught Switzerland out of shape.
Robertson broke out and his pace and cussedness meant that he carried it all the way to the byline. From Callum McGregor it went to McTominay in a free pocket just inside the area. Good awareness of opportunity from the midfielder, although this was not his best finish. It was deflected past the goalkeeper Yann Sommer by Schar’s touch.
The equaliser was a marvellous piece of skill from Xherdan Shaqiri, that little square of a winger, who now has the unique distinction of being the only man to score at all of the last three European championships and World Cup finals.
Shaqiri is just three caps behind his old friend Granit Xhaka, Switzerland’s record appearance maker. The former is now playing in Major League Soccer for Chicago Fire but he can still seize a chance. One loose touch from the right-sided wing-back Anthony Ralston and Shaqiri took it first time. Shaped with his left foot from the edge of the area into the top corner of Angus Gunn’s goal.
![Shaqiri lets fly](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/football/2024/06/19/TELEMMGLPICT000382474134_17188373832920_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqYg4SW5Nhv2GONPWQd4wotSTBgXyxOzV0bR3yr2q7sbg.jpeg?imwidth=350)
![Xherdan Shaqiri scores](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/football/2024/06/19/TELEMMGLPICT000382478479_17188374686200_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqxLDOUwO1qAETUgSFUTfLkOIBowybLw4Tb5Evlff2i4M.jpeg?imwidth=350)
The Bologna striker Dan Ndoye and the substitute Breel Embolo would each have the ball in the Scotland goal, and both times VAR would judge the offside flag to have been correct. Nevertheless, this was a solid Scottish performance and they will need something even better on Sunday.
Scots draw with Swiss: As it happened
Steve Clarke’s verdict
It was nice to see us turn up. We’re a good team when we play. The team have always shown resilience – we had to write Friday off as a really bad night. Tonight we were determined to press them early so we moved two of the players a little bit higher up the field. It worked against what I have to say is a very good Switzerland team.
[On the equaliser] It’s a heartbreaking moment [for Anthony Ralston] but it happens in football. It was a misplaced pass, and if it fell to anyone else in the Swiss team I don’t think they’d have scored. We got punished for a small mistake.
[On preparations for Sunday] That’s why we went to Garmisch-Partenkirchen because they’ve got fantastic facilities there. They’ve got a lovely river running through it, with the glacial melt coming off the mountains, so we might just sit in the river for a couple of days!
When the draw was made we knew the first game would be difficult. We didn’t think it would be so difficult but we always knew the points we required would potentially come from the last two games. I believe if we get three points we’ll go through to the next stage.
Kieran Tierney is definitely out of Sunday’s game. It looks pretty bad. You have to feel for him, but somebody else will have to step up to the mark.
Scotland keeper Angus Gunn speaks
Everything we did was ten times better than on Friday night. It was much more like us. When we play with intensity you can see how much of a lift it gives the players and the fans. That was what we needed at the start of the game.
Personally I was hurting after Friday night. I didn’t feel like I’d done myself justice. That was the motivation for tonight, to show what we’re about, and we did that.
We wanted to go into the last game having something to play for. Hopefully we can pull off another big result.
The state of play in Group A
Germany P2 Pts6 (GD+6)
Switzerland P2 Pts4 (GD+2)
Scotland P2 Pts1 (GD-4)
Hungary P2 Pts0 (GD-4)
In short, Scotland are highly likely to go through as one of the best third-place teams if they beat Hungary. A draw could be enough, though their poor goal difference makes that a long shot.
Billy Gilmour’s reaction
We gave everything out there and the result puts us in a good place. The first game was tough against a top team but that was more like a Scotland performance. We believed in ourselves going into this game. Maybe we were a bit nervous in the opening game but tonight we got after the ball, we were passionate; everything was there.
Andy Robertson’s verdict
That was much more like us: aggressive, on the front foot. We got off to a better start and then we made a mistake – but let’s make no mistake about it, Tony Ralston was unbelievable after that mistake. Not many people could come back from such a difficult moment, but in the second half he was different class – fair play to him.
We had our chances, but so did they. It was an open game: two really good teams going at it. We’re a lot happier with that performance. We’ve taken it into the last game and that’s all we can ask.
It was a lot more like us and I think the people behind the goal were a lot happier. We left everything out there and that’s what it takes to play for your country. We need to get to our beds and then recover tomorrow – what day are we even on, Wednesday – and get back on the training pitch on Friday.
FT: Scotland 1 Switzerland 1
Scotland are still alive in the European Championship after an honourable draw on a tense night in Cologne. The match could have gone either way, with Grant Hanley hitting the post and Zeki Amdouni missing a late sitter for Switzerland, but the result is palatable for both sides.
Switzerland are almost certainly through to the last 16, where they are likely to face Spain or Italy. Scotland should join them if they beat Hungary on Sunday. A draw in that game might even be enough, though it’s too early for a permutations orgy.
![Scotland captain Andy Robertson embraces his former Liverpool team-mate Xherdan Shaqiri at the final whistle.](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/football/2024/06/19/TELEMMGLPICT000382484301_17188310171850_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqterdOwC7njftddwmHEpu1NHhMh81Y8GqX3ipA8YMo0k.jpeg?imwidth=350)
90+2 min: Scotland 1 Switzerland 1
Great defending by Akanji! McGregor’s clever pass over the defence is headed back into the six-yard box by Robertson, and Akanki just gets in front of McTominay to hook the ball clear. That almost certainly saved a goal.
![Manuel Akanji's superb clearance denies Scott McTominay a winning goal.](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/football/2024/06/19/TELEMMGLPICT000382483495_17188306824140_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqqVzuuqpFlyLIwiB6NTmJwSX5rhseiWKOo9p9OQ-ymek.jpeg?imwidth=350)
90 min: Scotland 1 Switzerland 1
Great chance for Switzerland! Robertson is hopelessly late on Rieder, which gives Switzerland a free-kick on the right wing. A goal now would shatter Scotland - and Amdouni should have won the game!
Rieder curled a beautiful inswinging free-kick to the far post, where Amdouni got away from the defender and planted a header just wide from about eight yards. What a chance!
79 min: Scotland 1 Switzerland 1
Scotland have successfully turned this into a really bitty, fragmented game. Switzerland can’t get into their flow at all. We’ve hardly seen Granit Xhaka on the ball since half-time. This sort of game suits Scotland, who are a big threat on set-pieces. They don’t want to be chasing the ball for the next 15 minutes.
70 min: Scotland 1 Switzerland 1
That looked like it could be a really serious injury for Kieran Tierney. He was immediately flagging to the bench that he needed treatment, and was then carried off the pitch on a stretcher holding his face.
Tierney’s luck with injuries really has been awful. If this one is as bad as it looked, it could have a big impact on his club future. The expectation is that he will leave Arsenal this summer, either on loan or permanently. Perhaps that won’t be possible now.
67 min: Scotland 1 Switzerland 1
Hanley hits the post! Gilmour has a shot blocked by Akanji, who then fouls McTominay just outside the area on the right. Robertson’s fast, flats free-kick is met by Hanley, who stoops in front of Schar’s flailing boot and thumps a header off the post!
That was so close. He did really well to get to the ball in front of Schar; having done so, he may feel he should have scored.
![Grant Hanley heads against the post](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/football/2024/06/19/TELEMMGLPICT000382480766_17188290656430_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqpVlberWd9EgFPZtcLiMQf0Rf_Wk3V23H2268P_XkPxc.jpeg?imwidth=350)
60 min: Scotland 1 Switzerland 1
A substitution apiece Poor Kieran Tierney is being taken off on a stretcher, to be replaced by Scott McKenna. He jarred his leg while trying to challenge Ndoye as he ran through on goal, and I fear his tournament is over.
Switzerland bring on Breel Embolo for the goalscorer Xherdan Shaqiri.
![Kieran Tierney's tournament may be over.](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/football/2024/06/19/TELEMMGLPICT000382480052_17188286243860_trans_NvBQzQNjv4Bq-FKNQKWuxtoE08hfMumqDHEYzyjEciA0d8GcUGiZX3Y.jpeg?imwidth=350)
58 min: Scotland 1 Switzerland 1
Terrific save by Gunn! There’s one for the highlights. A bouncing ball forward is controlled by Ndoye, who rolls Tierney expertly on the edge of the area and tries to give Gunn the eyes before whipping a shot into the bottom corner. The ball flashes just wide of the left-hand post and replays confirm a crucial touch from Gunn.
51 min: Scotland 1 Switzerland 1
McTominay is bemused to be given a yellow card for dissent. The referee stopped play because Akanji feel awkwardly in the area, a judgement with which McTominay did not entirely concur.
![Manuel Akanji falls awkwardly in the Switzerland area.](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/football/2024/06/19/TELEMMGLPICT000382478982_17188279461560_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqqVzuuqpFlyLIwiB6NTmJwSX5rhseiWKOo9p9OQ-ymek.jpeg?imwidth=350)
Whose goal is it anyway?
Uefa are still crediting Fabian Schar with an own goal to put Scotland ahead. Opta have given it to Scott McTominay, as per our scoreboard.
The case for McTominay is that his shot was clearly on target and that’s usually enough for a player to be credited with a goal. The case against is that Yann Sommer would have saved his shot without Schar’s touch.
A much improved performance from Scotland
Scotland are not the better football team here but they are giving it a proper go. They are pressing more aggressively, defending higher up the pitch and causing problems when they stretch the Switzerland defence. In other words, they are playing significantly better than they did against Germany.
The problem area is the defence, as evidenced by Shaqiri’s goal. Scotland’s midfielders want the ball to feet but can the same always be said for their defenders, especially those on the right side? The build-up is all a little one-sided. Perhaps that is what you would expect, given the quality of Tierney and Robertson on that left flank.
There are more chances in this game for Scotland. They are in this. But they need to be careful.
HT: Scotland 1 Switzerland 1
A lively first half in Cologne, at the end of which it’s hard to know whether Scotland’s glass is half full or half empty.
They made a fast start and took the lead when Scott McTominay’s shot was deflected into his own net by Fabian Schar. Switzerland started to stir and equalised when Xherdan Shaqiri punished Anthony Ralston’s error with a spectacular goal.
Angus Gunn was the busiest keeper thereafter, making one decent save and another extremely good one. Dan Ndoye also has a goal disallowed for offside. But Scotland retained their composure and were more comfortable as half-time approached.
![Switzerland celebrate Xherdan Shaqiri's equaliser.](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/football/2024/06/19/TELEMMGLPICT000382476436_17188267498630_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqDyn_kzCs85o7bFJrmLDpe1T0TbG3yeKlrkETHpdZ6js.jpeg?imwidth=350)
35 min: Scotland 1 Switzerland 1
There’s not much need to fear Xherdan Shaqiri when he’s out on the wing. There’s probably not much need to fear him when he’s in the penalty box, either.
But when that man is on the edge of the box, in that 20-25 yard range from goal, he is absolutely deadly. It’s a gorgeous strike from a player who has been scoring that sort of goal for his entire professional life.
![Xherdan Shaqiri curls a stunning equaliser.](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/football/2024/06/19/TELEMMGLPICT000382474134_17188257927740_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqYg4SW5Nhv2GONPWQd4wotSTBgXyxOzV0bR3yr2q7sbg.jpeg?imwidth=350)
31 min: Scotland 1 Switzerland 1
Terrific save by Gunn! Switzerland are really on top now. Ndoye feeds the ball into Vargas, who waits for Ndoye to run outside him and plays a cute reverse pass. Ndoye dummies a defender, comes back inside and forces a rising shot that is pushed round the post by the diving Gunn.
Goal!
26 min: Scotland 1 Switzerland 1 (Shaqiri) A wonderful equaliser! Xherdan Shaqiri, playing tonight in his seventh major tournament, has punished a bad mistake from Anthony Ralston. He played a blind pass behind his fellow defenders and into no man’s land on the edge of the D. Shaqiri ran onto itand whipped a majestic first-time curler into the top corner.
![Xherdan Shaqiri gives Angus Gunn no chance with a majestic equaliser.](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/football/2024/06/19/TELEMMGLPICT000382473301_17188254089770_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqJHdcdf2GVVAxqFUVx44KkER8YSybYNWDTYrGStsI8ko.jpeg?imwidth=350)
22 min: Scotland 1 Switzerland 0
By Sam Wallace in Cologne
The Cologne Stadium erupts as prolific Scottish goal source - opposition own goals - strikes again. That said, a great break led by Andy Robertson, and well supported by others coming from deep. Much better from the Scots compared to last Friday.
18 min: Scotland 1 Switzerland 0
Quite difficult to do justice to the noise in here when that McTominay goal went in, so I won’t try. Let’s just say it was seriously loud.
I’d say that’s a deserved lead for Scotland, who have started so much more positively than they did against Germany. They are going for it, pushing up higher and counter-attacking with purpose.
There have been nervy moments at the back, though, and there will be plenty more to come in this game. But Scotland have something to defend and something to build from.
16 min: Scotland 1 Switzerland 0
A Switzerland corner is headed away to Rodriguez, who volleys well wide.
Apparently Uefa have said it was an own goal by Fabian Schar, which is a bit strange given the usual protocol: McTominay’s shot was unquestionably on target. That said, in the purest sense it was an own goal, because Scotland wouldn’t have scored had Schar not touched the ball.
![Fabian Schar pokes the ball into his own net.](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/football/2024/06/19/TELEMMGLPICT000382472163_17188249439200_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqYsmWvrrUa2K5zmnFcEH9LAF-e3RsXn86wt1xaYAquYI.jpeg?imwidth=350)
Goal!
13 min: Scotland 1 Switzerland 0 (McTominay) The goal machine has struck again! Scott McTominay scored seven goals in qualification and now he’s got his first in the European Championship finals. It came on the break from that Switzerland corner. Gilmour’s lovely touch released Robertson, who ran 50 yards and found McGregor on the outside. He played it back to the edge of the area, where McTominay hit a first-time shot that was stabbed into the roof of his net by the stretching Schar.
Schar didn’t need to touch the ball, as Sommer would have saved it comfortably. But the shot was on target so it’s McTominay’s goal.
Fancy a flutter?
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The pre-match thoughts of Steve Clarke
It was always my intention to start Billy in this game. Apart from it being Friday to Wednesday rather than Saturday to Wednesday, the build-up has been the same: we do the same things, we work the same way and tonight hopefully you’ll see the real Scotland on the pitch. We have to play better than we did in the first game. We believe that if we play to the best of our ability we’ll get something from the game.
Saviour syndrome not fair on Gilmour
Can Billy Gilmour save the day for Scotland? His omission from the lineup for the opening game was a huge shock, and a decision that backfired horribly. Scotland could not keep the ball, which meant their defence was under constant pressure. Evidently, the defence could not handle that pressure.
Andy Robertson has since said that he felt Scotland played with “fear” in Munich. Gilmour, at least, is never afraid to take the ball. Perhaps his positive attitude can prove infectious, even if it does feel a little cruel to expect him to single-handedly fix all of the problems that were so obvious against Germany.
No Scotland = no party
Thousands of Scotland fans were enjoying themselves this afternoon below the third-tallest cathedral in the world.
Not a hint of trouble but not sure I’d describe the mood as particularly jolly either. Everyone I spoke to realised they probably need a draw tonight and as such the stakes are higher than the Germany game, which most had written off.
The drinking was steady and determined, the pink and yellow patterned 90s retro shirts are popular and it has been made abundantly clear that no Scotland = no party.
![Scotland fans pose in front of Cologne Cathedral](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/football/2024/06/19/TELEMMGLPICT000382459247_17188221597900_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqpVlberWd9EgFPZtcLiMQf0Rf_Wk3V23H2268P_XkPxc.jpeg?imwidth=350)
Billy’s back
No surprise to see Billy Gilmour, Scotland’s most European midfielder, recalled tonight. Sam Dean looks at what he will bring to the team.
At his best, Gilmour can relieve the pressure on his team by finding passing angles and showing for the ball in tricky moments. He has demonstrated that he can do it at the highest level, too: at the previous European Championship, Gilmour was the best player on the pitch in Scotland’s impressive draw with England.
![Billy Gilmour returns to the starting XI in place of Ryan Christie](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/football/2024/06/19/TELEMMGLPICT000382456781_17188218389000_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqpVlberWd9EgFPZtcLiMQf0Rf_Wk3V23H2268P_XkPxc.jpeg?imwidth=350)
Euro 2024 betting offers
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Our man marches with the Tartan Army
I have just spent the past hour marching with the Tartan Army on their organised “fan walk” from a local station to the stadium here in Cologne. As a moderately proud Englishman, there were moments in which it proved quite challenging. The Scots certainly sing about the English more than the English sing about the Scots…
Much more importantly, though, is that the atmosphere and mood really was fantastic. I am sure there are some readers who roll their eyes at the glowing reviews the Scottish fans have received over the past week, but it genuinely is quite heartwarming to see the reaction they are getting from the local people in Munich and Cologne.
The people of Cologne were lining the streets to wave at the Scots, or they were leaning out of their windows to sing along. Some fans played catch with locals through the windows, and some were offered free beer along the way. (The more financially-minded locals were selling beer out of shopping trolleys.) Fans were hugging policemen and high-fiving children.
There was no edge, no hint of violence and no suggestion of any sort of damage to the local area, beyond the empty bottles lying on the pavements. It was the sort of peaceful but passionate occasion that endears these supporters to people of other countries and cultures. Good fun all round, I’d say. Although it did become rather hot. And, on a personal level, I imagine it would have been considerably more fun with a few beers and some mates to sing with.
FT: Germany 2 Hungary 0
The hosts Germany are the first team to qualify for the last 16 after beating Hungary 2-0 this afternoon. That’s a good result for Scotland as it keeps Hungary on 0 points.
![Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann hugs Jamal Musiala, who scored his side's first goal](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/football/2024/06/19/TELEMMGLPICT000382460679_17188203695540_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqRw7uKImMqa3-pkk5JsRT8cRpMj0_IJhv0hwqeAF0G_A.jpeg?imwidth=350)
Team news: Gilmour starts
Steve Clarke makes two changes from the opening nightmare against Germany: Grant Hanley replaces the suspended Ryan Porteous at the back and Billy Gilmour comes in for Ryan Christie.
Switzerland make one change: Xherdan Shaqiri replaces Kwadwo Duah, who scored the opening goal in their 3-1 win over Hungary.
Scotland (3-4-2-1) Gunn; Hendry, Hanley, Tierney; Ralston, Gilmour, McGregor, Robertson; McGinn, McTominay; Adams.
Substitutes: Kelly, Clark, Shankland, Christie, Cooper, Armstrong, Morgan, Conway, Jack, McCrorie, McLean, Taylor, Forrest, McKenna.
Switzerland (3-4-2-1) Sommer; Schar, Akanji, Rodriguez; Widmer, Freuler, Xhaka, Aebischer; Shaqiri, Vargas; Ndoye.
Substitutes: Mvogo, Kobel, Stergiou, Elvedi, Embolo, Okafor, Steffen, Zesiger, Sierro, Duah, Jashari, Amdouni, Rieder.
Referee Ivan Kruzliak (Slovakia).
![Billy Gilmour starts in midfield for Scotland.](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/football/2024/06/19/TELEMMGLPICT000382461700_17188201625170_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqpVlberWd9EgFPZtcLiMQf0Rf_Wk3V23H2268P_XkPxc.jpeg?imwidth=350)
Good evening
Scotland know their itinerary at a major tournament always includes a trip to the last-chance saloon. From the Netherlands in 1978 to Croatia in 2021, from glorious defiance to quiet despair, their notorious failure to reach the knockout stages has always involved a decisive game in which a particular result was non-negotiable.
They’re not quite at that stage yet, but they’re supping next door to the last-chance saloon and pints of Desperation are on special offer. Defeat to Switzerland tonight would leave Scotland needing multiple favours in other groups and victory over Hungary in their last game. If they win tonight, on the other hand, they’ll be one game away from history. The word ‘cut-throat’ doesn’t begin to do it justice.
It was always going to be like this. Defeat to Germany in the opening game was probable, even if few envisaged such a traumatic defeat. That result isn’t a problem in itself; the damage to morale – and goal difference – could make it a resounding victory in more ways than one.
“For us, the task is to regroup and go again,” says their manager Steve Clarke. “The players want to go back and play better and I think that is pretty standard when you play so poorly and let yourself down.”
Clarke has targeted four points from Scotland’s last two games, though that doesn’t mean they will be playing for a draw tonight. “To go into the game thinking you only need a point is dangerous. We go there to win, to be as positive as we can and we see where that takes us.
“I was very impressed with the Swiss (in their 3-1 win over Hungary). I thought they were excellent, really good in the first half and then controlled the second half well.
“It is a big challenge: a good team, a lot of good players, very strong down the spine of the team, defend well, don’t give too much away and have a lot of pace up front. So we expect a difficult night.”
Kick off is at 8pm and we’ll have team news shortly.
![The bagpipes of Cologne.](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/football/2024/06/19/TELEMMGLPICT000382450945_17188169795820_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqpVlberWd9EgFPZtcLiMQf0Rf_Wk3V23H2268P_XkPxc.jpeg?imwidth=350)