SCOTLAND&
EURO 2016
Looking back at the campaign
AFTER MISSING OUT ON QUALIFICATION FOR THE UEFA EURO 2016
CHAMPIONSHIPS, WE REFLECT ON THE FOURTH PLACED FINISH IN QUALIFYING
GROUP D.
Germany 2-1 Scotland
It was a valiant effort from
Scotland in their opener,
with Muller’s double either
side of Anya’s equaliser
enough to see off the
visitors. The Germans could
have killed the game off in
the first half but Scotland
defended doggedly to
remain just a goal behind at
the break.
They came out for the
second half with more
purpose and Steven
Fletcher, disappointing on
the goalscoring front for
Scotland, showcased his
impressive hold-up skills
before playing an inchperfect pass for Anya to run
onto and slot past Neuer.
Despite Muller pulling
Germany back in front just
minutes later, this was,
on the face of it, a brave
performance which gave
Scotland fans optimism
ahead of the rest of the
24
campaign. However, with
Poland picking up a win and
Republic of Ireland drawing
in their first meetings with
Germany, suddenly it felt
like a result that – although
expected – could have a
major bearing on the group.
Scotland 1-0 Georgia
The first home match of
the campaign was staged
at Ibrox Stadium due to
Hampden Park being used
during the Commonwealth
Games and saw Scotland
dictate the action for most
of the match. Yet they
turned understandably
nervy as they entered the
final ten minutes with just a
one-goal advantage.
Georgia had a couple of
chances, and when the final
whistle blew you could feel
the relief around the ground
as Scotland got off the mark
in a match that already felt
like a must win.
Maloney, who would make
his mark on a number of
occasions in this qualifying
campaign, struck the
ball off Khubutia for the
decisive own goal.
Poland 2-2 Scotland
Scotland battled back from
a goal down to take a 2-1
lead, but they couldn’t
withstand the onslaught
that came in the second
half as Poland grabbed a
deserved equaliser.
Alan Hutton’s mistake for
the early opener was a
sickener, but goals from
Maloney and Naismith took
the spirited Scotland side
ahead. With 14 minutes
remaining, Milik struck, but
Scotland managed to hang
on for an important point.
The tiebreakers come down
to head-to-head records
before goal difference, so
going away from home and
THE STUDENT VOICE: AUTUMN 2015