Scotland v Switzerland: Xherdan Shaqiri rescues point but Scots keep Euro 2024 hopes alive

Switzerland boss Murat Yakin hailed Xherdan Shaqiri's ability to produce magical moments after his stunning strike rescued a valuable 1-1 draw against Scotland at Euro 2024 on Wednesday.

Yakin's side trailed to Scott McTominay's early goal in Cologne, but Shaqiri put Switzerland back on level terms in eye-catching style.

The former Liverpool forward pounced on Anthony Ralston's wayward backpass and curled a sublime finish into the top corner from the edge of the area.

It is the sixth-straight major international tournament in which Shaqiri has scored, dating to the World Cup in 2014.

That’s three World Cups in a row and now three European Championships for the Chicago Fire forward.

It was one of the goals of the tournament so far and Yakin was quick to praise his diminutive forward.

"Shaqiri proved tonight that he lives and breathes for moments like that. He has shown that time and again down the years," Yakin said.

"He really deserves that moment. It was an unbelievably clinical strike. He did the only thing he could do. It really helped the team out."

After beating Hungary 3-1 in their opener and taking a point from the tenacious Scots, Switzerland sit second in Group A behind hosts Germany.

With four points on the board, the Swiss are almost certain to reach the knockout stage for a sixth successive major tournament, providing they don't suffer a heavy defeat against Germany in their last group fixture.

"We've still got one game to go. It's still very open. We will do everything we can to make it out of the group," Yakin said.

Scotland led from the 13th minute when Scott McTominay’s shot took a wicked deflection off Fabian Schar to beat Switzerland goalkeeper Yann Sommer.

But Shaqiri pounced on Anthony Ralston’s loose pass in the 26th minute to even the match with a left-footed shot into the top corner and past Scotland keeper Angus Gunn.

“If that chance falls to any other player in the Swiss team, it’s not a goal,” Scotland manager Steve Clarke said. “You knew when it was rolling towards Shaqiri it was destined for the back of the net. He’s a top, top player, so you don’t give top, top players that kind of chance.”

Clarke claims the real Scotland showed themselves against Switzerland which keeps their Euro 2024 hopes alive.

The Scots were thrashed 5-1 by Germany in the opening Group A game in Munich on Friday which left the Scots boss and the Tartan Army demanding a reaction which they got.

Scotland midfielder Scott McTominay, right, celebrates after opening the scoring against Switzerland. AFP

“It was what we expected,” said Clarke, who confirmed defender Kieran Tierney will not play against Hungary after picking up an injury and being taken off on a stretcher.

“This is the way we have been playing as a team for the last three or four years. It is why we are here at a major tournament.

“I thought it was a good team performance against a good opponent.

“It was a good reaction to a disappointing night and we are still alive in the tournament.

“Sometimes as a player or manager it doesn’t go your way and it certainly didn’t go our way on Friday night.

“Tonight was about getting back to what we are good at, working hard, making sure we got the preparation right, and I think we did.

“They are going to feel a lot better going into the next game on the back of that kind of performance.

“We showed that as well as the aggression and fight and that dirty side of the game if you like, we can play.

“When we get the ball down we play, we created some chances, Switzerland created some chances.

“We did what we had to do and are still in the competition.”

Player ratings: Germany 2-0 Hungary

GERMANY RATINGS: Quick off his line in opening 20 seconds to prevent Sallai poking home and produced good stop to keep out Szoboszlai free-kick. Blotted copybook with late spill on cross that almost ended in Adam scoring. AFP

Caught out in first minute when Sallai almost put Hungary into shock early lead. Had shot saved that would have made it 3-0 while also producing flying goal-line clearance to stop Orban scoring in last minute. AFP

Looked bemused by first-half booking which seemed to be for dissent. His interception started move ahead of Musiala’s goal and was key in Germany securing clean-sheet with his partnership with Tah looking a solid one. Reuters

Vital interception to deflect Szoboszlai strike out for corner when goal looked on for Liverpool midfielder. Caught ball-watching in second half which allowed Varga chance to head over in rare loss of concentration. AP

Stuttgart left-back picked out Gundogan with inch-perfect pull-back and can be pleased with his efforts defensively and offensively. Booked for late trip to stop Hungarian launching attack. AFP

A couple of lesser-spotted loose moments in possession early on after immaculate passing performance in opening game, but was normal service soon resumed. Unnerving ability to pick out teammates with pass. Involved in build-up for second goal. EPA

Important block on Bolla shot early on and saw strike of his own headed away at other end. His ability to break-up play and get the ball to likes of Musiala and Wirtz vital to Nagelsmann’s team. Reuters

Captain and midfield general earned assist for opening goal with little tee-up for Musiala’s finish. Swept home to put side 2-0 up after wonderful move from Germany. AFP

Two goals in two games for winger who fired home to put Germany in front and nearly made it 2-0 but shot flew into side netting. Fine start to tournament. EPA

Outstanding in win over Scotland and while not as much impact here still some flashes of his ludicrously quick feet. Looked disappointed to be hooked just before hour mark. PA

Denied goal after 10 minutes when he outmuscled Borban but Gulasci produced point-blank save. That was to prove his best chance of match although still led line well. AFP

SUBS: (On for Wirtz 58’) One half chance chance but couldn’t get power or direction on header. PA

(On for Havertz 58’) Saw low shot saved by keeper that would have made it 3-0 but also guilty of poor decision-making with final ball. AFP

(On for Andrich 71’) One vital defensive header when swerving corner looked set to find a Hungarian head. Reuters

(On for Musiala 71’) Determined to impress in front of his home fans although did go for glory with wayward shot when teammates were better place. Reuters

(On for Gundogan 84’) EPA

HUNGARY RATINGS: Excellent reaction save to deny Havertz opening goal but might be frustrated that he failed to get hands on ball ball before Musiala scored. Good saves after break from likes of Kimmich and Sane. EPA

Leipzig defender was relieved when Gulacsi came to his rescue after being wrestled aside by Havertz. Claimed he was fouled in run-up to Germany’s opener but referee and VAR did not agree. Denied later consolation goal by Kimmich clearance. AFP

Part of a back three that quickly became a back five when Germany attacked and they were certainly better defensively than first game … which wasn’t hard. Got knee to Musiala’s opener but not enough to keep it out. AP

Berlin-born centre-half was solid for Hungary and capable of an nice diagonal ball out wide from the back. Was turned inside out be Gundogan in second period which ended with half-chance for Kroos. AFP

A real handful down the left and kept Bayern Munich full-back Kimmich on his toes. Hungary can be happy that they gave the hosts a real test and quietened the home fans for spells. AFP

Union Berlin midfielder helped Hungarians put pressure on Germany and pressed the host nation well. Made a couple of surging runs forward to begin counter-attacks. AP

Early chance when well-placed but first-time shot deflected out for corner. Busy performance from midfielder who rarely wasted a pass. AP

In right place to head away Andrich shot that looked goal-bound. Helped side cause German defence some problems and he kept pressure on opposition players when out of possession. AFP

Pulled the strings in opening 45 after disappointing game against Switzerland. Denied goal twice in first-half – Neuer saving his curling free-kick and Tah deflecting shot out for corner. Booked for booting ball into stands in injury-time after frustrating second half. EPA

Attacker denied goal inside 20 seconds by Neuer block. Headed home in first-half injury-time but offside flag went up. Produced perfect cross that should have been headed home by Varga. Reuters

Booked for dissent after Musiala’s opener. Almost headed home disastrous own goal in first half. Missed golden opportunity to level scores after break but could only head over. Getty Images

SUBS: (On for Nagy 64’) Experienced midfielder came on minutes before Germany’s second goal which pretty much killed off Hungarian hopes. AFP

(On for Bolla 75) Forward with a distinctive build and beard put himself about after coming on. Getty Images

(On for Kerkez 75’) No chance to make impact. AFP

(On for Varga 87’) AP

(On for Sallai 87’) EPA