Scotland –Participating Teams in the Euro Football 2024 Tournament

Scotland are one of the participating teams in this summer’s 2024 European Championship. The Scots impressed in qualifying and could be a tough nut to crack for their opponents in Germany. Can Steve Clarke’s men upset the apple cart in Group A and reach the knockout phase?

In this in-depth Scotland 2024 Euro Cup preview, we look back at their qualifying campaign, highlight key players to watch, and analyse their expected performances on German soil. Join us as we take a closer look at the Scottish national team and their chances of going far in the 2024 European Championship.   

The Scottish Football Team in the Euro Football Tournament

The 2024 Euro Cup will be Scotland’s fourth appearance in Europe’s elite international competition. The Scots previously qualified in 1992, 1996, and 2020. 

They failed to get past the group stage in all three Euro appearances. In 1992, Scotland won one and lost two to finish third in Group 2. Four years later, they took three points from a possible six at the European Championships in England in 1996.

Scotland had a disappointing 2020 campaign, though they did manage to hold rivals England to a goalless draw at Wembley Stadium. In game one, the Scots suffered a 2-0 home defeat to Czech Republic. After the England stalemate, they suffered a 3-1 loss to Croatia at Hampden Park to exit the competition with just one point from a possible nine. 

Scotland had a stunning qualifying campaign, finishing second to Spain in a tough Group A. As a result, they were drawn into Pot 3 alongside the likes of Netherlands, Croatia, and Czech Republic. 

Scotland find themselves in Group A with Germany, Hungary, and Switzerland. Steve Clarke’s men begin their tournament with a game against the hosts at the Allianz Arena on June 14th. The fixture in Munich will be the opening game of the 2024 European Championship.  

As you would expect, Germany are the clear favourites in that one. However, Scotland have been in good form over the past couple of years or so and will make themselves tough to beat for the Germans. Can the Scots cause a huge upset on opening night? 

After the German game, Clarke takes his troops to the RheinEnergieStadion in the heart of Cologne to play Switzerland on June 19th. The Swiss will also be tricky opponents, but Scotland will be eyeing up a positive result from that one. 

The Tartan Army then make their way to Stuttgart for their final Group A match of the Euro tournament. Again, the Hungarians could be a tough nut to crack, but Scotland are capable of securing a win at the MHPArena. 

As we touched on, Scotland have never progressed past the group stage of a European Championship. They have also been eliminated in the group stage in each of their eight World Cup appearances. Can they change that stat in 2024? 

Clarke’s boys had a memorable 2023, winning five European Championship qualifiers in a row and booking a place in a second successive Euro finals. However, ahead of the March friendly with Netherlands, the Scots are winless in five, losing three and drawing two. 

Facing Germany, Switzerland, and Hungary in the group stage will be no easy task. Being involved in the opening game against the hosts is just about as tough as it gets, but a positive result against the Germans could set the tone for a successful tournament. 

The matchup in Munich in June will be the first meeting between the two nations since a European qualifier in 2015. Germany secured a 3-2 win at Hampden, with Thomas Muller grabbing a brace. 

Scotland’s last victory against Germany came in a friendly in Bremen in 1999. Can they upset the Germans again, 25 years later? 

Scotland’s Road to the European Championship 2024

Scotland were drawn against Spain in a tricky-looking qualifying Group A. Norway, Georgia, and Cyprus were the other three nations in the group. 

Spain were always expected to win Group A, with the battle for second place set to be between Scotland and Norway. However, the Spaniards were pushed all the way by Clarke’s in-form Scottish side. 

Scotland’s qualifying campaign got off to the perfect start when they cruised to a 3-0 victory over Cyprus on matchday one. John McGinn opened the scoring, and Scott McTominay grabbed two late goals. 

Scotland then stunned Spain at Hampden Park in game two. The Spaniards headed to Glasgow as the clear favourites, but they left with zero points. Spain dominated possession but failed to break through Scotland’s stubborn defence. 

Manchester United man McTominay opened the scoring after seven minutes. Just six minutes after the break, in-form McTominay was it again, slotting past goalkeeper Kepa to make it 2-0. Spain rallied, but Scotland held on for the famous 2-0 win. 

They then made it nine points out of nine with an equally impressive away victory in Norway on matchday three. Manchester City’s goal machine, Erling Haaland, opened the scoring on the hour for the home side, but Scotland were not to be denied. 

They were a goal down with just three minutes remaining in Oslo. However, Lyndon Dykes levelled in the 87th minute, and Kenneth McLean’s 89th-minute goal completed the comeback to break Norwegian hearts. 

Scotland kicked on with two more comfortable wins against Georgia and Cyprus, with McTominay scoring in both. By this time, Clarke’s troops had one giant foot in the 2024 European Championship finals. 

Scotland then travelled to Seville to face Spain in a crunch match. The Scots wanted a positive result, but it proved to be a controversial and disappointing night at La Cartuja. McTominay’s free-kick was ruled out by VAR, and Spain went on to secure a 2-0 win thanks to second-half efforts from Alvaro Morata and Oihan Sancet. 

Nevertheless, Scotland’s job was completed three days later, when Norway fell to a 1-0 loss to Spain. On the following evening, the Scots battled to a 2-2 draw with Georgia at Dinamo Arena in Tbilisi. 

It was a memorable qualifying campaign for the nation. The supporters have had their fair share of bad luck and disappointments over the years, but they would have been proud of their boys in 2023.

Scotland finished runners-up to Spain, collecting an impressive 17 points along the way. They won five, drew two, and suffered just one loss. McTominay was the unlikely goalscoring hero, and his seven goals earned him the top scorer award in the group. The United midfielder scored one more than City’s Haaland. 

Scotland’s Star Players in the Team

Scotland may have missed out on the World Cup in Qatar in 2022, but they are back in a major tournament two years later. This is the second time that the Scots have qualified for back-to-back European Championships. 

They may not have the strongest or most talented squad in Germany, but the togetherness in the team is second to none. Also, several individual players within the side can unlock doors and win matches. 

Scott McTominay pretty much single-handedly secured qualification for Scotland. The Man United ace had a memorable campaign, scoring a hatful of goals as the Scots finished second to Spain. McTominay netted seven of his nation’s 17 Group A goals. 

He has been in and out of the United team this season, but his form for Scotland over the past year has been extraordinary. If fit and firing on all cylinders, the 27-year-old could be Scotland’s star man this summer. 

Clarke’s men will have many Premier League representatives in Germany. The likes of Scott McKenna, Nathan Patterson, John McGinn, Billy Gilmour, and Ryan Christie will be important players in the squad. 

Scotland also have options in attack. Lyndon Dykes, Lawrence Shankland, and Jacob Brown will play alongside attacking midfielders McTominay, Christie, and McGinn. 

Overall, Scotland have a solid squad. As they proved when they beat Spain in the qualifiers, the Scots can give any European team a run for their money when at their best. The class of 2024 will be looking to cause a few upsets in the European Championships in Germany. 

Scotland’s Chances of Winning the 2024 European Championship

Scotland are certainly one of the underdogs to win this summer’s 2024 Euro Cup. First and foremost, Clarke’s men are looking to get out of a tough Group A. The Scots have never been past the group stage in any Euro Championship or World Cup. 

All eyes will be on the opening game of the tournament, when Germany and Scotland square off at the Allianz Arena. The Scots head to Munich in high spirits, but can they cause an almighty upset against the tournament hosts? We at Unibet will have competitive odds on all three of Scotland’s group matches this summer. 

For the first time in a European Championship, Scotland failed to win a game in the previous version. Can the Tartan Army put things right in the 2024 edition and have a successful competition on German soil?