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Scotland QUALIFY for Euro 2020, their first tournament since 1998, following a thrilling penalty shootout victory over Serbia with David Marshall as the hero after Luka Jovic canceled Ryan Christie’s opener in Belgrade.
- Scotland have secured their place in Euro 2020 after beating Serbia on penalties
- David Marshall became the hero after keeping Mitrovic’s effort out of Aleksandar
- Ryan Christie shot Scotland up front in Belgrade with a low drive out of the box
- Luka Jovic had shattered Scotland’s resistance at the end with an unmarked header
After 23 years of watching from home and frankly not being good enough, Scotland will be back for a big tournament next summer, and how they deserve their place at Euro 2020, where England awaits.
All you can deny them now is Covid-19, but that’s a concern for another day. For now, the Belgrade boys will rightly bask in the glory of this playoff triumph, secured after a penalty shootout win in which Derby goalkeeper David Marshall was the hero and Fulham’s Aleksandar Mitrovic was the scapegoat. .
It means a first major final appearance since France 98. To give some context to the passing of time, their World Cup goalkeeper Jim Leighton is now sixty years old and coach Craig Brown is eighty.
Scotland players celebrate after reaching their first major tournament since 1998
Scotland have qualified for Euro 2020 after beating Serbia in a spectacular penalty shootout
Steve Clarke’s men were forced to go the distance, but they had caused delirium just at the time of death.
Scott McTominay and Declan Gallagher celebrating after breaking Scotland’s 23-year wait
And how those old boys would have cursed at the all too familiar sight of Scottish heartbreak when they gave up a 1-0 lead in the 90th minute.
Forward, thanks to a goal from Ryan Christie in the 52nd minute, Steve Clarke’s team looked comfortable as the fourth official readied the scoreboard for injury time minutes.
But after having defended so admirably on a soggy night at Red Star Stadium, they were turned off as they died.
The concession was neglected and Scott McTominay of Manchester United was guilty. Not only did they unnecessarily give up the corner from which Serbia tied, but it was McTominay’s man, the unmarked Luka Jovic, who headed home.
But how McTominay will be relieved that his mistakes don’t matter and redeemed himself by becoming the penalty shootout.
Norwich’s Kenny McLean made the fifth shot from Scotland’s point, meaning Mitrovic had to score. But Marshall was up to the task with a magnificent aerial save.
Captain Andy Robertson said: “We got really close and had to get up for extra time.
‘In the 90 minutes we were comfortable. We were the best team. But it only shows you the strength we have to fit back in, many teams would have collapsed. And going to penalties you always support Marshy to save one.
I am very proud of everyone. We have been through a lot of criticism, but I hope I have put a smile on the faces of many people at home in what is a difficult time. There were tears everywhere afterwards. ‘
Ryan Christie scored Scotland’s first goal after missing a low shot into the bottom corner
The Celtic man was bullied by his teammates and Scotland’s hard work paid off magnificently
Scorer Christie was one of those who cried, adding: ‘It’s been a horrible year for everyone. We knew that we could give something to this country. I hope everyone at home is celebrating. ‘
A Serb was once the mastermind behind Scotland’s most humiliating defeat in a major tournament.
Bora Milutinovic was the coach when Costa Rica beat them 1-0 at Italia 90, and he appeared on the eve of this game to predict even more misery for the Scots. How wrong I was.
It may have been an away game but at least the bouncing rain felt like home for the Scots and they were the best team for most.
Luka Jovic headed home unmarked in the second half, extra time to break Scotland’s hearts.
They should have been in front seconds before Christie’s opener when QPR forward Lyndon Dykes stopped two Serbian defenders and rolled temptingly towards Robertson, who reached the edge of the area. His effort, however, was as wild as the weather.
But amid the storm, Christie was a picture of calm as she received a clever reverse pass from Celtic teammate Callum McGregor and, from 20 yards, duly produced a reverse pass of her own while guiding inside the post.
It was a good enough goal to win the tie, but Scotland won’t care how he did it, they’re back on the big stage and that’s what they care about.
