Good morning.
Scotland saved their Euro hopes alive final night time with a 1-1 draw with Switzerland, however the massive story from the sport is Kieran Tierney choosing up what seems to be like a nasty harm. As he received turned by Dan Ndoye on the sting of his personal field, he stumbled, and appeared to plant his foot, hyper-extending his knee. He instantly clutched the again of his leg, making many assume it was a hamstring harm, however you don’t often see gamers stretchered off if it’s a type of. I hope that’s all it’s, but it surely’s exhausting to not worry it could possibly be worse.
Scotland supervisor Steve Clarke was mild on element afterwards, however mentioned:
It seems to be fairly unhealthy. Clearly we now have to evaluate it however Kieran gained’t play the final group sport. It’s important to really feel for him, he’s received himself into nice form, he’s a prime participant for us who does ever so nicely.
On a private degree it’s a blow for a participant who should have checked out this match as a method of placing himself within the store window. An opportunity to persuade potential suitors that his harm document is one thing they may take a danger with as a result of high quality of his performances, however as unlucky as final night time was, I feel it’s solely going to shut doorways for him moderately than open them. It’s unhappy, however in case you’re out there for a left-back, and it’s a toss-up between him and a participant who won’t be fairly pretty much as good however who’s at all times out there, most golf equipment will make the good choice.
Fingers crossed it’s not too severe although, and maybe we’ll get a bit of extra info because the match goes on. As for the sport, I assumed Scott McTominay was very lucky to be awarded the Scottish aim. Sure, his shot was on course, however it might have been a easy save for the keeper had Fabian Schar not actually kicked it into his personal aim – thus making it … grasp on, I do know they’ve a phrase for this … ah sure, an personal aim!
I feel if a goal-bound shot takes a deflection, give it to the person who had the try, however this wasn’t actually that. Anyway, it’s a small factor, which I think about no one cares about an excessive amount of, and I guess Schar himself is greater than happy it went to the Man Utd man. Switzerland’s equaliser got here from a mistake, however wow, what a end from Xerdan Shaqiri, a person who seems to be an increasing number of like somebody made a mould of a human utilizing a barrel, however forgot to take away the barrel afterwards. The best way it curled simply contained in the publish was spectacular.
Scotland will face Hungary of their remaining sport, who have been crushed 2-0 by Germany. Jamal Musiala scored the opener, however I feel the host nation have been fairly fortunate the aim stood – it seemed to me like an apparent foul by Ilkay Gundogan within the build-up. Wherever else on the pitch and I feel the ref blows instantly, so I don’t know why he didn’t right here. Hungary supervisor Marco Rossi admitted his aspect deserved to lose, however mentioned:
“Germany didn’t need assistance from the referee, particularly in opposition to a staff like Hungary. Once they play in opposition to somebody like France, let’s see if a foul shall be given or not.”
The second aim got here from Gundogan himself, beautiful fast passing and good motion noticed him ghost in to double the lead, and that was kinda that. It wasn’t a lot of a sport, Kai Havertz didn’t play notably nicely and received taken off simply earlier than the hour mark. Germany face Switzerland within the remaining group sport on Sunday.
For me the sport of the day was the early kick-off between Albania and Croatia, and Sylvinho’s aspect put the cat among the many pigeons with one other early aim, a sensible header from Qazim Laci within the eleventh minute. As of their first sport, Croatia seemed like a shadow of their former selves, however stepped it up within the second and actually put the strain on. An equaliser which at all times felt prefer it was coming was adopted by a extremely unlucky personal aim from substitute Klaus Gjasula, who had solely been on the pitch a couple of minutes.
However as is the best way with this match, it’s not over until it’s over, and Albania saved attempting, saved pushing, and the final 10 minutes took on a sort madcap rhythm which is a lot enjoyable for the impartial. How becoming for them that the person who scored the personal aim, Gjasula, was on the spot to make it 2-2 with a stunning end that went in off the underside of Gvardiol’s nutsack.
Each side may have scored once more in a frentic closing interval, however a draw appeared a good end result. Croatia face Italy of their subsequent sport, whereas Albania will play Spain with fascinating permutations at play given the three staff qualifying system.
Right this moment it’s Slovenia v Serbia within the early sport, England are in motion in opposition to Denmark in a while – with apparent Arsenal curiosity there, earlier than we now have a tasty wanting encounter between Spain and Italy within the night. We’ll have one other episode of our Euro 2024 podcast on Patreon a bit of later this morning, and a brand new Arsecast for you tomorrow.
Till then.
