Scotland kept alive hopes of reaching the knockout stages of a major tournament for the first time by holding Switzerland to a gripping 1-1 draw at Euro 2024 on Wednesday thanks to an early goal from Scott McTominay.
Out to rescue their battered pride after a miserable 5-1 drubbing by hosts Germany, Scotland went ahead after 13 minutes from McTominay’s deflected shot before the Swiss quickly drew level with a stunning strike from Xherdan Shaqiri following a defensive blunder.
Switzerland looked the more dangerous team and had the best of the chances in a lively match but the Scots, lifted by a rapturous travelling support, fought hard to keep them at bay, with pacy Swiss forward Dan Ndoye going close several times.
Switzerland are seeking to qualify for the knockout rounds of a sixth successive major tournament but they spurned their chance of advancing early with Group A rivals Germany, as the Scots repelled countless attacks and came close to scoring twice in a spirited second-half showing.
Scotland were transformed from the meek and disorganised side humiliated by Germany in the first game, spreading the ball around confidently and testing Switzerland in response to their exuberant support.
“That’s what we expected. This is the way we’ve been playing for the last three or four years,” Scotland manager Steve Clarke told reporters.
“We knew what we had to do it. It was a good team performance against good opponents and a good reaction… We’re still alive.”
Switzerland coach Murat Yakin brought forward Xherdan Shaqiri back into the starting lineup after missing games amid fitness doubts, and the move paid dividends, with the veteran causing plenty of trouble for the Scottish defence.