(Cologne) Dominant but ineffective, Switzerland was held to a draw by Scotland 1-1 on Wednesday in Cologne and will have to wait for its confrontation with Germany to join the host country in 1/8are of Euro 2024.
Second in group A, with four points, the Nati is nevertheless in a favorable position to access the elimination phases of the German tournament, thanks to a better goal difference than Scotland, still in the race, also, to get out of the groups for the first time. times in its history.
Swept 5-1 by Germany in the opening match of the Euro, but supported by a Cologne stadium fully committed to their cause, the Scots showed a completely different side against the Swiss, despite some defensive errors.
After a corner taken by Swiss veteran Xherdan Shaqiri (32), it was they who, although dominated, opened the scoring.
Their captain Andrew Robertson brought the ball up from his own half before shifting Callum McGregor into the box. With a back pass, the Celtic midfielder found Scott McTominay in the axis who took over with the flat of his foot. Yann Sommer, the Swiss goalkeeper was on the trajectory, but the ball was blocked by Fabian Schar in his own goal (1-0, 13e).
Established in attack in place of Kwadwo Duah, who scored against Hungary, Shaqiri saved Switzerland from a huge disappointment by taking advantage of an ill-adjusted back pass from Anthony Ralson to send a powerful left-footed shot without control in the top corner of Angus Gunn (1-1, 26e).
The Scottish heart
With this goal, the former Liverpool and Olympique Lyonnais winger, now at Chigago in MLS, becomes the only European player to have scored in each of the last 6 major tournaments (each World Cup and each Euro since 2014).
Throughout the end of the first period, his partners pushed to take the advantage, even scoring a goal by Dan Ndoye, ultimately refused for offside (33e), but they always came up against Gunn, imperial in his goals.
And if Breel Embolo, came into play in place of Shaqiri (60e), was denied a second goal again for offside (82e), Switzerland, in the second half was able to consider itself fortunate not to have conceded any goals after the multiple Scottish attacks.
The Nati thus keeps its destiny in hand and, even in the event of defeat against Germany on Sunday in Frankfurt, it should see the final stages of Euro-2024.
Scotland clings to its dream. They are only credited with one point and have an unfavorable goal difference, but they will meet Hungary, already eliminated, in their last group match.
If she wins, she will then have 4 points and can legitimately hope to be among the four best third-placed groups invited in the elimination phase.
This would be a first in its history. It would be deserved given the heart she put into Cologne.