Scotland’s 2024 Euro 2024 send-off turned into a damp squib after they let slip a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 with Finland at Hampden Park.
After a dull first 45 minutes of a warm-up game which lacked intensity, captain Andy Robertson’s cut-back was turned into his own net by Finnish defender Arttu Hoskonen in the 54th minute before striker Lawrence Shankland headed in a second four minutes later for his third goal in dark blue.
Finland substitute Benjamin Kallman – a former Dundee player – reduced the deficit with a header in the 72nd minute before fellow substitute Oliver Antman levelled from the spot after veteran keeper Craig Gordon – on as substitute to make his 75th appearance – conceded the spot-kick with a challenge on Tomas Galvez.
Craig Gordon, left, collides with Finland’s Tomas Galvez to concede a late penalty
Bristol City striker Tommy Conway was able to make his debut as a second-half substitute and almost grabbed a late winner but after qualifying for a second successive Euros last October, the time for tinkering is over.
Scotland travel to Germany on Sunday for the opening match against the host nation next Friday night before they take on Switzerland and Hungary in their next two games, with the aim of getting the country into the knockout stages of a major tournament for the first time.
Clarke had lost attackers Lyndon Dykes and Ben Doak from his squad and replaced them with Conway and Lewis Morgan, who won his last cap six years ago.
Both were on the bench but defender Anthony Ralston and Shankland were notable starters while defender John Souttar – reported to be one of the two players along with Gordon who would be cut from the squad – was nowhere to be seen.
Former Celtic striker Teemu Pukki and Aberdeen defender Richard Jensen were in the Finnish side who almost took the lead in the 10th minute, Scotland defender Kieran Tierney blocking a goal-bound shot from Casper Terho before keeper Angus Gunn saved Pukki’s close-range header seconds later.
Finland’s Teemu Pukki, right, attempts to chip Scotland goalkeeper Angus Gunn
The Finland striker had another opportunity in the 16th minute but cleared the bar with a lob from 14 yards, while at the other end Shankland hooked a shot over the bar from the edge of the box.
The home side were almost caught by a counter-attack in the 35th minute but this time Terho’s shot was saved by Gunn.
Billy Gilmour’s drive from the edge of the box early in the second half was well saved by Finland substitute keeper Viljami Sinisalo before Ralston took a tumble over the byline and appeared to take a knock but soon got to his feet.
Ralston then had to shrug off a crunching tackle by Niilo Maenpaa before the Scots got the breakthrough.
Tierney sent Robertson racing down the left flank and his pass into the centre was intercepted by Hoskonen, with the ball speeding past Sinisalo.
John McGinn, Lawrence Shankland and Andy Robertson, left to right, celebrate Scotland’s first goal
Then Robertson’s cross to the back post was brilliantly headed in by the off-balance Shankland to get the supporters energised further.
Shankland soon gave way to debutant Conway, with Greg Taylor on for Robertson before Robin Lod had the ball in the Scotland net only to be ruled offside.
In the 69th minute Gordon replaced Gunn and the 41-year-old was given a rousing reception before silence accompanied Kellman’s header from Antman’s cross.
Then Gordon took out Galvez in his attempt to cut out a cross and Antman slotted in the penalty to put a dampener on the night, although it took a great save from Sinisalo to stop Conway’s header in added time.
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Don't give up on the Premier League Dungeon Bro, Darwin Arsenal transfer market These are the same fans who say Auckland City didn't deserve to be in the Club World Cup.Brazilian teams at the Club World Cup: 4/4 through to the round of 16Argentinian teams at the Club World Cup: 0/2 through to the round of 16 lol This is what referees have to watch for 90 minutes....
Barcelona attacking midfielder Pablo Torre is closing in on a transfer to Mallorca after agreeing terms with the LaLiga club, a source has confirmed to ESPN.Mallorca and Torre's entourage held a meeting on Thursday, in which an agreement was reached with the player, who is attracted by Mallorca's project, a source said.The news was first reported by Marca.In the coming days, Mallorca will contact ...
Arsenal are in talks to sign Valencia centre-back Cristhian Mosquera, sources have told ESPN.Mosquera, 20, has made 73 LaLiga appearances in the last two seasons and sources said Arsenal are well positioned to beat off competition to the defender, who is a Spain youth international but also eligible for Colombia.RB Leipzig are also interested and Valencia have tried to renew Mosquera's contract, b...
Gyokeres makes transfer U-turn amid Man Utd and Arsenal interestViktor Gyokeres has made a transfer U-turn as he aims to force a move to Manchester United or Arsenal this summer.It had originally been assumed that Gyokeres would favour a move to Arsenal of the two English clubs, with Champions League football on offer at the Emirates. However the Gunners' continued pursuit of Benjamin Sesko from R...
Real Betis interest grows in Barrenechea’s: We have to decide if Unai wants to keep him...Aston Villa midfielder Barrenechea is attracting attention this summer as manager Unai Emery makes a decision regarding his future.Barrenechea continues to attract attention after impressing on loan at Valencia since August, namely from Real Betis. Midfield maestro, Johnny Cardoso, who seems destined fo...
Milos Kerkez opens up on Liverpool move: I think it should be every kid's dreamLiverpool signing Milos Kerkez has opened up on his move to the club this summer and why he chose the Reds over every other side.Liverpool completed the signing of Kerkez from the Cherries in a deal worth 340M as manager Arne Slot build a team fit to challenge for the Premier League title once again. The Hungary interna...
Trafford has "fully agreed personal terms with Newcastle" ahead of summer moveNewcastle United are closing in Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford who has agreed personal terms with the club.Burnley reportedly value Trafford at around 340million, which would make the 22-year-old the fifth most expensive goalkeeper of all time as the Magpies chase down their first signing of the summer transfer window...
Vivianne Miedema scored her 98th and 99th international goalsFinland Women lost their five-match unbeaten run on the eve of the 2025 UEFA Women's European Championship thanks to a 2-1 defeat to the Netherlands in a warm-up friendly before the tournament.The homes side's opening goal in Leeuwarden was a gift from the Finnish defence - in the 11th minute, Oona Siren gave the ball away cheaply inside...
Arsenal's Gabriel Martinelli is challenged by Brentford's Danish midfielder Christian NorgaardIn order not to get left behind in the transfer market this summer, Mikel Arteta and the Arsenal board appear to be making various moves which could have a significant and positive impact for them in 2025/26.To date, since the Spaniard took over in the Emirates Stadium dugout, the Gunners have always bee...
Al Ain's Laba Kodjo Fodoh (centre) is congratulated by teammates after scoring his team's first goalAl Ain ended their FIFA Club World Cup campaign with a 2-1 comeback victory over Wydad at Audi Field in Washington in just the third-ever meeting between a team from Morocco and one from the Middle East.Both teams knew their fate prior to kick-off - even a win would not be enough to see them progres...
- 1 Seattle Sounders vs PSG Prediction 24 June 2025
- 2 Man United close in on Bryan Mbeumo
- 3 Man Utd close in on Bryan Mbeumo! Red Devils agree £60m+ fee with Brentford as Premier League rivals iron out final transfer details
- 4 Salzburg vs Real Madrid Prediction 27 June 2025
- 5 Real Madrid reveal target as Zubimendi joins Arsenal
- 6 Liverpool cult hero waves goodbye as transfer is confirmed: It’s been an absolute honour
- 7 Marcus Rashford to Barcelona is back ON! La Liga champions ready to sanction loan deal for Man Utd outcast amid Nico Williams pursuit
- 8 Barcelona announce Garrido departure
- 9 Liverpool spring a surprise by appointing ex-international manager - who coached at Euros AND World Cup - as new Under-21s boss
- 10 ‘We trust him, but we’re seeking another striker’ - AC Milan director says club wants competition for Mexico's Santiago Giménez