Switzerland was looking for a victory yesterday in Cologne that would allow it to secure a place in the round of 16 of Euro 2024 (as Germany achieved in the same group, A, a few hours earlier), but could not beat Scotland (1-1). A great goal from Xherdan Shaqiri prevented the Helvetians from defeating a Scottish team that was facing the match on the edge after conceding 5-1 against the hosts in the opening match and that in the end, as a lesser evil, added a point.
The match at the Rhein Energie Stadion turned out to be an even match. It was Scotland that took the lead. After a good counterattack led by his captain, Liverpool full-back Andy Robertson, who passed it to McGregor, he assisted Scott McTominay, who shot, the ball hit Fabian Schär and went into his own goal. It was the 13th minute. UEFA gave the goal to the Manchester United midfielder.
A great goal from today’s Chicago Fire winger and former Liverpool player Xherdan Shaqiri allowed Switzerland to level the score and remain second in group A, with 4 points, behind Germany (6) and ahead of Scotland (1) and Hungary, which has not added any. On the last day, Switzerland-Germany and Scotland-Hungary this Sunday.
Scotland resurfaced after the shock of starting by conceding a 5-1 defeat to Germany on June 14 in the opening match and worried Switzerland on the counterattack. Like the one led by Robertson and completed by McTominay, with the involuntary collaboration of Schär.
An error by Ralston when he gave up behind was opportunely taken advantage of by Shaqiri to hit a first-time left foot. The ball made a parabola and hit Gunn, Scotland’s goalkeeper. From there, Switzerland had some chances and Gunn was sure to thwart a connection between Vargas and Ndoye. Two goals against Switzerland were annulled via VAR, one from Ndoye and another from Embolo.
But Scotland also worried Switzerland, as in Hanley’s shot against the post. Then Kieran Tierney (who has played on loan at Real Sociedad) was injured. Apparently a muscle ailment. Tierney left on a stretcher, immobilized, raising alarms.
