James McFadden (centre) takes the congratulations
after his goal (¿Getty Images)
James McFadden's stunning strike midway through the second
half gave Scotland a win in France that takes them top of UEFA EURO 2008T
qualifying Group B.
Scotland hold out
The home side had the lion's share of the play but could not beat the
stubborn visiting defence. And just as they had against France in Glasgow
a year ago, Scotland scored a timely goal for a 1-0 victory - these results
being the only qualifying defeats for Les Bleus, home or away, since 1999.
Scotland are now top and a point above Italy, with France having fallen
two places to third with three games left.
Stout defending
Having drawn in Italy on Saturday to stay in pole position, France were
clearly keen for three points to lift them to within sight of the finals.
But despite dominating possession and territory, they created little in
the way of clear-cut chances in the first half, perhaps missing the suspended
Thierry Henry. Florent Malouda did force Craig Gordon into a save while
Claude Makelele volleyed over, but that was as close as France came before
the break.
Gordon saves
A neat one-two with David Trezeguet on 55 minutes set up Franck Ribery
but the FC Bayern Munchen forward's angled shot was well stopped by Gordon,
as was his effort on the rebound. Soon after, Lassana Diarra and Ribery
combined to supply Nicolas Anelka near the penalty spot yet Gordon pushed
the ball over the bar.
Dramatic strike
Then came the sucker punch. McFadden let fly from distance with such ferocity
that Mickael Landreau could only tip the ball into his own top right-hand
corner. It was all France thereafter, but Scotland's rearguard remained
unbreachable. On 13 October Scotland welcome Ukraine hoping to close in
on their first final tournament since 1998 while France go to the Faroe
Islands.
,
12 September 2007
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