Good morning.
Scotland kept their Euro hopes alive with a 1-1 draw with Switzerland last night, but the biggest story of the game was Kieran Tierney suffering a serious injury. When turning to Dan Ndoye on the edge of his own box, he stumbled to his feet and appeared to hyperextend his knee. He immediately grabbed the back of his leg, leading many to think it was a hamstring injury. But if it’s one of those injuries, you don’t usually see players stretching. I hope that’s all, but it’s hard to shake the fear that things could get worse.
Scotland manager Steve Clarke was later light on details, but said:
It looks pretty bad. Obviously we have to assess that but Kieran will not be playing in the final group game. You have to feel for him. He is in great form, he is a top player who is performing very well for us.
On a personal level, this is a blow to players who saw this tournament as a way to put themselves in the store window. It’s an opportunity to convince potential suitors that his injury record is worth the risk because of his performances, but as unfortunate as last night was, I think it will only close the door for him rather than open it. It’s sad, but if you’re looking for a left-back and it’s a contest between a left-back and a player who isn’t very good but is always available, most clubs will make a reasonable choice.
Fingers crossed, it’s nothing too serious and we’ll probably get some more information as the tournament progresses. As for the game, I thought we were very lucky that Scott McTominay scored the goal for Scotland. Yes, his shot hit the post, but it would have been a simple save for the goalkeeper had Fabian Schar not literally put a shot into his own goal. So… wait, I know there’s an expression for this… oh yeah, own goal!
I think if a shot on goal is deflected, it should be awarded to the person who attempted it, but that wasn’t the case. Anyway, it’s a small thing, I don’t think anyone will care much, and Schar himself will be very happy that it went to a Man Utd player. Switzerland’s equalizer came from a mistake, but wow, what a finish from Xerdan Shaqiri, a man who looks more and more like a man who used a barrel to create a human figure but later forgot to remove the barrel. The way it rolled inside the post was great.
Scotland will face Hungary in their final match, but Hungary lost 2-0 to Germany. Jamal Musiala scored the first goal, but I think the hosts were quite lucky to get a goal. It looked like a flagrant foul on Ilkay Gundogan in the build-up. Anywhere else on the pitch the referee would have immediately exploded, so I don’t know why he wasn’t here. Hungarian coach Marco Rossi admitted his team deserved the loss, but he said:
“Germany didn’t need any help from the referee, especially against a team like Hungary. “If we play against an opponent like France, let’s see whether there will be a foul or not,” he said.
The second goal came from Gundogan himself, with a lovely quick pass and a clever move he ghostly doubled the lead, and that was kind of it. It wasn’t a great game, Kai Havertz didn’t play particularly well and was sent off just before the hour mark. Germany faces Switzerland in the final group match on Sunday.
The match of the day for me was the early kick-off between Albania and Croatia and Sylvinho’s side put the cats among the pigeons with another early goal in the 11th minute courtesy of a smart header from Qazim Laci. Like the first game, Croatia looked a shadow of their former self, but stepped up in the second and really put the pressure on. The equalizer that seemed always to come was followed by a truly unfortunate own goal from substitute Klaus Gjasula, who had only been on the pitch for a few minutes.
But like this tournament, it’s not over until it’s over. Albania kept trying and pushing. The last ten minutes had a kind of reckless rhythm that was very entertaining from a neutral standpoint. How fitting it was for them when Gjasula, who scored an own goal, made it 2-2 from the spot with a beautiful finish that went under Gvardiol’s nut sack.
Both sides could have scored again in a frenzied closing period, but a draw seemed a fair result. Croatia will face Italy in their next match, while Albania will face Spain in an interesting combination considering the three-team qualifying system.
Today is Slovenia v Serbia’s early game, while England play Denmark later. Arsenal’s interest is clear, and the evening will feature a tasty-looking meeting between Spain and Italy. Watch another episode of the Euro 2024 podcast. Soon on Patreon Meet the new Arsecast for you this morning and tomorrow.
until then.
