Scotland draw 2-2 with Finland in Euro 2024 send-off game at Hampden

Scotland let slip a two-goal lead as the national team drew 2-2 with Finland in their final game before Euro 2024.

An own goal from Arttu Hoskonen and a Lawrence Shankland header had the Scots looking like they were heading to Germany in winning form but two late goals for the opposition meant a frustrating result one week before the opening Euros match against Germany.

Head coach Steve Clarke had said that he would name a team close to the one that will play next week and he brought back a lot of regulars who had been on the bench for the 2-0 win over Gibraltar on Monday.

Anthony Ralston and Lawrence Shankland were the two notable inclusions as they looked to seize the chance to impress and nail down starting places.

After a noisy reception from the Tartan Army, Scotland were slow to settle and Finland had the first chances of the game, when Kieran Tierney had to throw himself into a block on Casper Telho’s shot, before Teemu Pukki forced a save from Angus Gunn.

Shankland put a chance over the bar as Scotland took a grip on possession but while there was plenty of neat and tidy play in the approach, the hosts couldn’t get it right in the final third.

The second half brought more goalmouth action almost immediately, with Billy Gilmour’s shot from the edge of the box testing Finland goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo.

Scotland took the lead after 54 minutes. Kieran Tierney played in Andy Robertson as the captain raced toward the byline and his low cross was diverted into his own net by Hoskonen.

Shankland doubled Scotland’s lead four minutes later. Robertson was again the provider, swinging in a cross that the striker met with a back post header.

With 20 minutes to go, Craig Gordon was brought on for his 75th cap and the goalkeeper looked moved by the noise of the crowd as he replaced Angus Gunn.

The 41-year-old had hardly settled in goal when Finland pulled a goal back. Oliver Antmann’s cross was met by the head of Benjamin Kalltman and Gordon could do nothing but pick the ball out of the back of the net.

The goalkeeper endured further misery with five minutes left on the clock when he raced out to cut out a cross but fouled Tomas Galvez and a penalty was awarded. Gordon was beaten from the spot by a well-placed spot kick from Antman.

Scotland chased a late goal to try and end their preparations with a win, and substitute Tommy Conway almost had a debut goal with a header that was saved by Sinisalo.

The final whistle saw the players applaud the fans before heading to the Euros but there was an air of frustration that two slips had ensured a disappoint outcome just a week before the real tests begin.