Sean McGill
BBC Sport Scotland at Hampden Park

Scotland head off to the Euros in disappointing fashion after spurning a two-goal lead to draw with Finland at Hampden.

An ugly own goal from Arttu Hoskonen lifted sprits following a subdued start, before Lawrence Shankland nodded home to ramp up the celebrations.

The Tartan Army party was put on hold when Benjamin Kallman pulled one back, before an 85th-minute penalty - awarded by the video assistant referee (VAR) - was slotted home by Oliver Antman.

All eyes now turn to Munich as Scotland prepare for the daunting - yet exhilarating - task of taking on Germany, one of the tournament favourites in their own backyard next Friday.

It was a night of mixed emotions for Craig Gordon.

The 41-year-old became Scotland's oldest ever international in what was likely his final cap, but also gave away the spot-kick with a clumsy challenge.

His replacement as Scotland's number one was made to work in the first half, with Angus Gunn called into action a couple of time in a slow Scottish start.

The second half was much better. Hoskonen's own goal might have been a touch lucky, but Shankland's headed finish rounded off the type of swaggering move Clarke's side have lacked in recent times.

Injuries prompted late call-ups for Lewis Morgan and Tommy Conway - the latter earning his first cap at Hampden - as fresh faces looked to make their mark in the last outing before the real stuff starts.

But with a huge occasion looming, Scotland were punished for taking their foot off the gas.

The defence went to sleep for Kallman's header, before Gordon was adjudged to been too hasty rushing out of goal, allowing Antman to step up.

Despite the result, Scotland fans made sure to let their team know they have their full support this summer.

Too often they've been left watching tournaments at home. Now, they're off to Germany.

Player of the match - Lawrence Shankland (Scotland)

SNS

That goal felt like a weight off his shoulders. Will he get the chance to repeat the trick in Munich?

Bright lights to come for Scots - analysis

Friendlies really haven't been Scotland's forte in recent times.

They've now won just three of their last 21 non-competitive matches, struggling again when they don't have to put their foot to the pedal.

That couldn't be further from the case in seven days' time. Germany are not only one of the top sides in the tournament, but will be desperate to open the tournament with a bang in front of their home fans.

For Clarke's side, it's important not to let this result affect their psyche ahead of a daunting prospect in Munich.

There were positives to take however. Anthony Ralston gave a solid account in the depleted right wing-back berth, while Shankland showed the cutting edge he has lacked in recent outings.

Now, can they do it when the lights are brightest?

What they said

Scotland head coach Steve Clarke: "It was good, but a little bit disappointing towards the end.

"The game gets a little bit disjointed when you make subs. It's no reflection of the boys on the pitch, you just lose a little bit of concentration.

"Up until then I though we controlled the game. We are a good team, we've proved that over the last couple of years. We're looking forward to the tournament now."

Scotland goalscorer Lawrence Shankland: "First and foremost, you want to come through the game fit and send us in a strong way to Germany.

"For large parts we controlled the game. We did enough to win it.

"The place is buzzing and so it should be, we all want to go to the tournament and enjoy it."

Match stats

  • Scotland are now winless in four consecutive games at Hampden (D2 L2). It's their longest run without a home victory across all competitions since November 2008 (five games - D3 L2).

  • After losing six of their first seven games against Scotland between 1954 and 1995 (D1), Finland have avoided defeat in each of their last two (1-1 in 1998 and 2-2 in 2024).

  • Scotland haven’t kept a clean sheet in any of their last four games at Hampden, their longest such run under Steve Clarke. They’ve only managed a shutout in one of their last nine matches (2-0 v Gibraltar).

  • Three of Scotland's last six goals scored at Hampden have been own goals (Harry Maguire for England, Leo Ostigard for Norway and Arttu Hoskonen for Finland).

  • Lawrence Shankland has scored in both of his starts for Scotland at Hampden, with those two games coming four years and 238 days apart (v San Marino in October 2019 and Finland in June 2024).

  • Craig Gordon won his 75th cap for Scotland, becoming just the sixth player to reach this milestone, after Kenny Dalglish, Jim Leighton, Darren Fletcher, Alex McLeish and Paul McStay.

What's next?

Scotland kick-off Euro 2024 against the host nation in Munich's Allianz Arena on Friday 14 June (20:00 BST). What a sentence.

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