da realbet： Scotland threw away a comfortable two-goal lead in bizarre and unnecessary circumstances to draw 2-2 with Finland in their final pre-Euro 2024 match.
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Robertson was crucial in Scotland going aheadSubstitute keeper Gordon conceded two goalsSteve Clarke's team face Germany next weekGettyTELL ME MORE
After a first half that was devoid of clear opportunities, Scotland came out looking to increase the pressure on their visitors from the beginning of the second. Billy Gilmour had an early shot kept out and the ball was whipped back into the box where Lawrence Shankland was unable to divert it home.
The breakthrough came eight minutes into the half when a tidy Scotland move saw Andy Robertson released down the left wing and his cross unsettled Arttu Hoskonen as the Finland cente-back knocked it into the net.
It was Robertson who created the second, too. Scotland raced forward down the right but Anthony Ralston's cross was cleared by Finland. Robertson was there to scoop up the loose ball, though, and lashed in a fantastic cross where Shankland did a great job to wrestle off the defender and head in his first Scotland goal in his last five caps.
Scotland felt comfortable enough to bring on 41-year-old goalkeeper Craig Gordon for the last 20 minutes, even though the veteran is not expected to be part of the Euro 2024 squad. And it's just as well, as the substitution proved disastrous. Just two minutes after he came on, Finland pulled a goal back when a cross found Benjamin Kallman criminally unmarked and he headed beyond the veteran with ease. Then, Gordon gave away a penalty when he attempted to punch the ball away and gave Finland a spot-kick instead, which was comfortably converted to seal a 2-2 draw.
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Hoskonen and Shankland may be the names on the scoresheet, but it was Robertson's deadly balls into the box that created the goals. The Scots were much better in the second half but Robertson was the one who provided that clinical touch that they had lacked in the opening 45 minutes.
THE BIG LOSER
The decision to bring on Gordon for a ceremonious appearance was an unnecessary one and it came back to haunt Clarke's team as he quickly conceded and then gave away a penalty. With the goalkeeper expected to be left out of the final squad for the tournament, the mistake may be overlooked, but it was a bizarre call from Clarke.
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Scotland may take a lift from the way they went ahead in the game but there are still many problems to deal with before the trop to Germany. Shankland will need the confidence boost after scoring just his third senior Scotland goal on his 10th appearance for the country before he comes up against the likes of Antonio Rudiger and Jonathan Tah when Clarke's men face the tournament hosts on June 14.