In the depths of harsh coronavirus restrictions in the winter of 2020, the sight of David Marshall springing across his goal to save Aleksandar Mitrović’s penalty lifted the mood of an entire nation.
The Tartan Army couldn’t be in Belgrade to witness Scotland end an agonising 23-year absence from major men’s tournaments, but the scenes in living rooms across the country will live long in the memory.
Steve Clarke’s side were on their way to the delayed 2020 European Championships – which were held in 11 cities across the continent to mark the competition’s 60th anniversary.
FROM AGONY IN ASTANA TO BOOGYING IN BELGRADE
Scotland’s qualifying campaign for Euro 2020 got off to the worst start imaginable when they were thrashed 3-0 by Kazakhstan, then ranked 117 in the world, in the Astana Arena.
Alex McLeish, in his second stint in charge of the national team, was sacked shortly after the result, widely deemed one of the worst in Scotland’s history.
He was replaced by departing Kilmarnock boss Steve Clarke, who started with a win over Cyprus at Hampden but then saw his side lose four consecutive games.
Scotland finished third in their qualifying group, well adrift of Russia and Belgium, and therefore missed out on automatic qualification.
But they still had a backdoor route open to the Euros after winning their Nations League group in 2018.
Scotland were initially due to play Israel in the play-off semi-final at a sold-out Hampden in March 2020 but that was derailed by the Covid pandemic.
The match eventually took place in front of no fans in October that year, with the Scots triumphing on penalties after a 0-0 draw.
SNS GroupThe final against Serbia took place the following month. Scotland took the lead through Ryan Christie and looked on their way to finally breaking a decades-long absence from major tournaments.
It wouldn’t be Scotland though without a sting in the tail and a stoppage time header from Luka Jovic broke Tartan Army hearts.
A nerve-shredding penalty shootout awaited but Scotland prevailed and the Baccara hit ‘Yes Sir, I Can Boogie’ was adopted as the new national anthem.
Scotland were back. At last.
SCOTLAND’S RETURN TO THE BIG STAGES ENDS IN A TANGLE
SNS GroupThe last time Scotland had graced a major tournament was on June 23, 1998 when Craig Brown’s side departed the World Cup in France following a heavy 3-0 defeat to Morocco in St Etienne.
But the big return at Euro 2020 wasn’t witnessed by a full house. Fewer than 10,000 fans were permitted inside Hampden Park due for Scotland’s opening match of the tournament due to ongoing coronavirus restrictions.
On the pitch, Scotland started brightly as they looked to make up for lost time and the noise inside the stadium belied the quarter-full national stadium.
SNS GroupBut two goals from Patrik Schick – including an audacious effort from his own half – meant the Scots’ long-awaited return ended in defeat.
The defining image of the match is that of Belgrade penalty hero Marshall entangled in his own net after being beaten from almost 50 yards.
SNS GroupWEMBLEY, WEMBLEY, WE’RE THE FAMOUS TARTAN ARMY AND WE’RE OFF TO WEMBLEY
The second group match was against the Auld Enemy England at Wembley.
A daunting prospect but it didn’t deter tens of thousands of Scots from making the journey south to London – the furthest the Tartan Army would get to travel at this tournament.
They took over Leicester Square and the surrounding streets in teeming rain, creating a raucous atmosphere in the hours leading up to kick-off.
Rob Pinney via Getty ImagesScotland put in a superb performance to earn a 0-0 draw under the Wembley arch to keep alive their hopes of progressing in the tournament.
Billy Gilmour, aged just 20, was the stand-out performer, while Stephen O’Donnell came close to achieving immortality when his goal-bound effort was blocked by John Stones.
SNS GroupCROATS END EUROS DREAM
Scotland returned to Hampden for their final group game against Croatia, knowing that a victory would seal a spot in the knock-out rounds at a major tournament for the first time in the nation’s history.
But an early goal from Nikola Vlasic silenced those inside the national stadium. It was looking like the same old story for Scotland – another glorious failure on the horizon.
But then something happened that hadn’t been seen since Craig Burley lobbed in an equaliser against Norway at France 98 – Scotland scored a goal at a major tournament.
It came from Celtic’s Callum McGregor, who fired into the bottom right corner after the Croats failed to deal with an Andy Robertson cross.
It was a moment for the ages and Hampden celebrated riotously.
SNS GroupThe dream was alive once again but a sumptuous strike from Luka Modric and an Ivan Perisic header meant it was not to be, as Croatia earned their first-ever win over the Scots.
SNS GroupIt had been a long haul – too long.
But despite the disappointment, the Tartan Army rose to acclaim the players who had taken Scotland back to the big time for the first time in more than two decades.
SNS GroupFortunately, the wait for the next Euros wasn’t as long. Scotland are off to Germany and open Euro 2024 against the hosts on Friday.
Munich awaits and what an occasion it will be.
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