PLAYER RATINGS: Which ex-Chelsea starlet was Scotland’s best player? How did goalscorer Scott McTominay fare? And why Granit Xhaka only scored a six for Switzerland
Scotland’s hopes of reaching the knockout stages of Euro 2024 are still alive after securing a 1-1 draw against Switzerland on Wednesday.
Steve Clarke’s men took the lead in the first half after Scott McTominay’s shot took a poor deflection past Yann Sommer and into the Swiss net.
Xherdan Shaqiri responded in emphatic fashion soon afterwards, capitalizing on Anthony Ralston’s wayward back pass before firing a shot into the top left corner of the Scotland goal.
Scotland then hit the post before the Swiss’ goal was disallowed for offside, losing their share of Group A.
Our man AADAM PATEL reigned supreme over both groups of players in Cologne.
Scotland’s hopes of reaching the knockout stages are still alive after a 1-1 draw with Switzerland
SCOTLAND (3-4-1-2)
Angus Gunn-6
Undone by Shaqiri’s strike, but did well to make some crucial saves from Ndoye. Was all over the place for Ndoye’s disallowed goal, but a solid display that will do his confidence a lot of good.
Anthony Ralston-5
A careless back pass led to Shaqiri’s goal. You simply can’t make mistakes like that. Switzerland were all over him, but fair play to the 25-year-old for a much better second half.
Jack Hendry-6
Part of a back three that started with a high line. Had a shaky start with a dodgy backpass that went out for a corner, but improved in the evening.
Grant Hanley-6
One of two Scotland changes in the starting eleven. At the age of 32, Scotland’s oldest outfield starter at the European Championship since Ally McCoist in 1996 and therefore unlucky not to score when his header hit the post. Solid shift.
Kieran Tierney-6
More touches (40) than anyone else in the first half, but fortunate Ndoye missed a sitter after turning it over in the second half. I had to come off with what appears to be a tournament ending hamstring injury. Looked desperate.
Andy Robertson-7
Influential for the goal, as he drove onto the pitch before picking out McGregor. Nice ball also for Hanley’s header that hit the post, but otherwise his shot in free fall was a bull’s-eye. Energetic change, as always.
Andy Robertson provided an energetic change as ever and had an impact on goal
It was desperation for Kieran Tierney, who suffered what looks like a tournament-ending injury
Scott McTominay-7
The man for the big moments. A bit of luck for the goal, but he or Scotland wouldn’t care at all. Brilliant display all around and could have been finished with what looked like a goal ball being blocked.
Billy Gilmour-7.5
Came in after starting on the bench against Germany and was Scotland’s best player. Great composure in the build up to the goal and was constantly involved when Scotland had possession. Made a difference.
Callum McGregor-6
Did well to put Scott McTominay in front of goal after initially looking like he had lost his balance. Scotland was much stronger along its flank.
Billy Gilmour showed great composure in the build-up to the goal and was constantly involved
John McGinn-6
So much better than Friday night. He regularly used his body well to maintain possession of the ball. Received a deserved yellow card after a serious foul on Fabian Schar.
Che Adams-5
Rarely got the ball in the first half, with just 11 touches, but came close to the edge of half-time when his volley from a corner came straight at Sommer. Equally quiet second half.
SUBS
Scott McKenna-6
Replaced Tierney on the hour and did what was asked of him. I would now expect him to play a crucial role on Sunday against Hungary.
Kenny McLean-6
He came on for Billy Gilmour in the 79th minute and did well.
Manager: Steve Clarke – 7
After a few tough days following the Munich mauling, he will be extremely proud of this achievement. A display that was a world apart in every department.
SWITZERLAND (3-4-2-1)
Yann Sommer-6
Couldn’t do anything to stop Scotland’s goal after the deflection off Schar. Made a big save on the edge of half-time to deny Che Adams.
Fabian Schar-5
Too bad for the goal, but maybe there could have been a stronger connection. More touches (69) than any other Swiss player, but beaten in the air by Hanley for Scotland’s best chance to win the match.
Manuel Akanji-7
Solid, as always. Strong in and out of possession and regularly pushed up the field. Made a crucial clearance late on to prevent Scotland picking up a winner.
Manuel Akanji was strong both in and out of possession and regularly moved up the field
Ricardo Rodriguez-6
Booked in the first half for a late challenge on Gilmour, but composed on the ball, as did Schar and Akanji in a Swiss back-three. Solid rendering.
Silvan Widmer-6
Had done his job down the right flank against Scotland’s much favored left. Fought well all evening before being replaced late on by Leonidas Stergiou.
Granit Xhaka-6
Crucial for Switzerland’s pace, as expected, but didn’t have the impact on the match that he had against Hungary. Scotland can draw confidence from that.
Remo Freuler-6
Gained confidence as the match progressed but struggled to keep up with the intensity of a much improved Scottish press. Substituted for Vincent Sierro in the second half.
Xherdan Shaqiri – 7.5
Initially an interesting addition, replacing Kwadwo Duah, but there is no doubt about his class. What a goal to equalize Switzerland. Became the first Swiss player to play in seven major tournaments before being replaced by Breel Embolo on the hour mark.
Xherdan Shaqiri (right) scored a wonder goal to level the score for Switzerland
The Swiss forward placed a curling effort into the far top corner of Scotland’s goal
Michel Aebischer – 6
Star of their first match against Hungary and looked comfortable in possession without ever threatening to do anything special.
Ruben Vargas-6
Always looked like a threat in the final third, but the closest he came to scoring was a strike straight at Gunn. Substituted for Fabian Rieder in the 75th minute.
Dan Ndoye-7
Causing problems for the Scottish defence, posing a regular threat and denied by two brilliant saves from Gunn. Too bad there was no goal after an incredibly tight offside action.
SUBS
Breel Embolo-6
Came on for Shaqiri on the hour mark and looked deadly. Ice-cold finish that he thought gave Switzerland the three points, but he was offside.
Vincent Sierro-5
Remo Freuler came on in the 75th minute.
Fabian Reider-5
Ruben Vargas came on in the 75th minute.
Leonidas Stergiou-5
Silvan Widmer came on in the 86th minute.
Zeki Amdouni-5
Dan Ndoye came on in the 86th minute. I missed a babysitter.
Manager: Murat Yakin-6
Came out well before kick-off to cheer the Swiss fans, knowing a win would secure qualification. After a shaky start, his side improved and he will be happy to take the point that puts the Swiss in a great position to qualify.