Scott McTominay gave Scotland an early advantage, only for it to be cancelled out by Xherdan Shaqiri’s stunning goal for Switzerland in the second half.
Steve Clarke’s Scotland will look to bounce back after their 5-1 defeat by Germany but are up against an intimidating Switzerland side led by Granit Xhaka and Dan Ndoye. Following his red card against Germany, Angus Gunn could miss out due to Grant Hanley likely replacing him at centre-back.
In this article, we will discuss the main points of Scotland National Football Team vs Switzerland National Football Team Lineups.
Here are the starting lineups for both teams:
Scotland National Football Team:
| Position | Player | Substitutions |
|---|---|---|
| GK | Angus Gunn | |
| DF | Jack Hendry | |
| DF | Grant Hanley | |
| DF | Kieran Tierney | 61′ – Scott McKenna |
| MF | Anthony Ralston | |
| MF | Billy Gilmour | 79′ – Kenny McLean |
| MF | Callum McGregor | Assist – 13′ |
| MF | Andrew Robertson (C) | |
| MF | Scott McTominay | Goal – 13′ |
| FW | Che Adams | 90+1′ – Lawrence Shankland |
| FW | John McGinn | 90′ – Ryan Christie |
Switzerland National Football Team:
| Position | Player | Substitutions |
|---|---|---|
| GK | Yann Sommer | |
| DF | Silvan Widmer | 86′ – Leonidas Stergiou |
| DF | Fabian Schär | |
| DF | Manuel Akanji | |
| DF | Ricardo Rodríguez | |
| MF | Granit Xhaka (C) | |
| MF | Michel Aebischer | |
| MF | Remo Freuler | 75′ – Vincent Sierro |
| MF | Xherdan Shaqiri | Goal – 26′ |
| FW | Dan Ndoye | 86′ – Zeki Amdouni |
| FW | Ruben Vargas | 75′ – Breel Embolo |
This result left both teams with a point each in Group A.
Scotland Lineup
Scotland still have an outside chance at qualifying for the knockout stages despite suffering an embarrassing 5-1 defeat against Germany in their opening match. Although currently three points behind second-placed Switzerland who have won both their games thus far, a win against Hungary would give Scotland an excellent opportunity of finishing third and progressing through a play-off to qualify.
Manager Steve Clarke will hope his side can take a more aggressive stance without the ball, following their disappointing display against Germany. Unfortunately for them however, Yakin’s steady Switzerland side are designed to frustrate teams while using counterattacking ability as their countermeasures.
The Swiss are expected to field the same starting line-up that they employed against Hungary, featuring Granit Xhaka, Fabian Schar, Remo Freuler and Breel Embolo in midfield. Granit has been one of the key figures this season for Switzerland while helping Arsenal secure both Premier League and Europa League championships.
Kyle Rowe and Ross McCrorie will look to build on the impressive performances seen during Scotland’s initial two matches of this tournament. To lead Scotland successfully, however, these players must display greater consistency.
Scotland can take heart in their win rate at major international tournaments despite defeat to Germany; only six out of 33 matches at major competitions have seen them lose, for an 18% win rate. On Wednesday they’ll look to extend that streak against Switzerland who have struggled at Euros; only managing three goals over four matches as opposed to their average 10 in 15 prior appearances at major competitions.
Scotland has assembled an elite squad for their meeting against Switzerland, featuring several high-profile players making their first appearances since 2023. Ryan Porteous, Sione Tuipulotu and James Forrest will all return for this game against Switzerland.
Switzerland Lineup
Since 2014, Swiss national football team have become an almost reliable presence at major tournaments – they regularly appear and almost always fall out in the last 16. But under Murat Yakin, this year has been different – they won both of their opening games at this World Cup, likely making a knockout run if England can be defeated next.
The team is full of talent, yet some members have struggled for form this season. Players such as Xherdan Shaqiri, Granit Xhaka, Yann Sommer and Edmilson Fernandes will hope to make an impression during this year’s competition.
But there are concerns surrounding this team, particularly up front where they lack a powerful centre-forward. Breel Embolo suffered a thigh injury shortly after returning from cruciate ligament surgery and may not be available for the tournament opener against England.
Scotland was drawn in a highly challenging qualifying group alongside Liechtenstein, Lithuania and Czech Republic and were eliminated after just two wins out of their initial four matches. Manager Craig Levein resigned after that defeat while Giorgio Contini took charge as caretaker manager until the campaign had come to its completion.
The Swiss struggled at the outset of the final phase of their UEFA Euro 2024 qualification campaign, earning only two out of a possible six points, yet managed to put together an impressive finish and secure their spot at this summer’s finals. Their group is expected to finish second overall; therefore they should not make much progress further than that point.
Switzerland are an elite side, boasting quality players despite early season struggles and eager to improve on a solid showing at the World Cup in Qatar. Goalkeeper Gregor Kobel will likely start in goal while Manchester City defender Manuel Akanji will join Roma’s Eray Curceli and Internazionale’s Yann Sommer in defence. Midfielders such as Inter Milan’s Xherdan Shaqiri and Remo Freuler lead from Inter Milan while Bayern Munich provide support with Christian Witzig and Manuel Berner respectively.
Team News
Scotland kept their hopes of reaching the knockout rounds of a major tournament for the first time ever alive with a thrilling 1-1 draw against Switzerland in Group A at Cologne. Cheered on by thousands of Tartan Army fans, Steve Clarke’s side started well when Callum McGregor cut-back found Scott McTominay who fired past Yann Sommer with help from Fabian Schar to score. Unfortunately for Scotland however, their early lead was short-lived as Switzerland striker Xherdan Shaqiri capitalised on loose backpass to score with an outstanding long range strike into the top corner – leaving Scotland looking at best when hoping for knockout qualification from Group A playoff qualification in Cologne.
Swiss side that beat Hungary 3-1 on Matchday 1 are considered favorites to emerge from their group. Even though Murat Yakin’s side were somewhat lethargic in their opening victory, they remain difficult to break down; boasting an experienced squad unbeaten against Scotland since March 2018.
Clarke may give Grant Hanley or Scott McKenna a start at center-back due to Ryan Porteous’ suspension after receiving his straight red card against Germany, as Denis Zakaria has yet to fully recover from injury despite training fully on Tuesday morning and remaining close to full fitness. Meanwhile Kwadwo Duah should keep his position ahead of Remo Freuler despite suffering minor muscle damage earlier in the year.
McTominay made his Euro 2024 debut against Germany and experienced an uninspiring 5-1 thrashing on his debut night, so will be eager to put that behind him and help the Scots avoid another humiliation as Group A nightmare continues. John McGinn should provide plenty of support up front against Switzerland; together they have scored nine goals between them since Clarke took charge and are Scotland’s top scorers at Euro 2024. A high-tempo encounter is anticipated between both teams who look poised to press up field and release their attackers before Euro 2024 begins.
Injury Updates
Injury issues for Scotland continue to surface, yet assistant coach John Carver remains confident there are players ready and willing to step in and fill in. Norwich goalkeeper Angus Gunn will miss the tournament due to an injury sustained against Hull City while Celtic left-back Greg Taylor is uncertain with a calf problem; Kilmarnock uncapped Robby McCrorie will replace Greg Taylor while Aberdeen native Jack MacKenzie has also been called up as depth in defence.
Kieran Tierney will miss the remainder of this competition as he recovers from a hamstring problem he sustained against Germany on Friday night in their 5-1 defeat. He sustained the injury following an altercation with one of their defenders late in the match and will no longer feature for England.
Tierney’s injury has dealt Scotland a devastating setback as they look to reach the knockout phase of a Euro tournament for the first time since 1998. Furthermore, his absence leaves their backline under-equipped as Scott McKenna, Aaron Hickey and Nathan Patterson are out with injuries; Stuart Armstrong from Rangers FC as well as John Souttar both train away from main group.
Scotland have reason to celebrate as Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay appears set to return from injury while Liverpool defender Ben Doak, who had not played since December, was included despite not having taken part. Jordan Rossiter and Lewis Ferguson could also play key roles as they continue their fitness levels building programs.
Switzerland midfielder Granit Xhaka returned to the squad following a scan for an adductor muscle issue. He played an integral part in leading Switzerland to reach the last-16 of the Nations League tournament, including an upset loss against Portugal and an impressive victory over Italy. Switzerland currently lie second in their group with one point from two matches and face England on Sunday in Dusseldorf to maintain their chances of progressing further into this competition.
