Post by dreamy on Sept 13, 2007 22:06:02 GMT 10
Brilliant Scotland reach the pinnacle in Paris
GLENN GIBBONS
AT THE PARC DES PRINCES
France 0
Scotland 1
McFadden (64)
SCOTLAND'S astonishing adventure reached new heights of exhilaration here in Paris last night, their victory over France taking them back to the top of Group B of the Euro 2008 qualifying and transforming them from outsiders to hot fancies for a trip to Austria and Switzerland next summer.
As he had done against Lithuania four days earlier, James McFadden produced an extraordinary goal, this time to dumbfound a team who were World Cup runners-up last July, and who had been long odds-on to head the section.
It was a heroic performance from all of the 13 players used by manager Alex McLeish, whose own acumen and inspiration is deserving of great credit. He had clearly prepared and instructed a group of players with an astuteness that left the French, by the finish, beaten and demoralised.
Predictably, industry, concentration and seemingly endless willingness were at the core of the work of a Scotland team who, for long periods, not only kept the aggressive instincts of their celebrated opponents fairly subdued, but occasionally caused some alarm in the vicinity of Mickael Landreau in the home goal.
There was, too, an edginess about the French, recalling McLeish's eve-of-match observation that they were under the bulk of the pressure, in the same way as his own side had been in the match against Lithuania at Hampden Park last Saturday.
In the circumstances, they did not deserve to be deprived so cynically of the services of Darren Fletcher as early as the 26th minute. With Scott Brown, Barry Ferguson and Paul Hartley, the Manchester United player had been an imposing influence in midfield.
As a result, the supply to the strikers, Nicolas Anelka and David Trezeguet - the latter taking the place of the suspended Thierry Henry - had been reduced almost to the point of non-existence.
Fletcher was the victim of a crude tackle from behind by Patrick Vieira in the 22nd minute, after the Scot had dispossessed him and begun to stride into home territory.
The French captain was cautioned for his deliberate offence, but Fletcher, still suffering the ill effects of the challenge, picked up a booking of his own for a tug on Florent Malouda before limping off in the 26th minute. The caution rules the Manchester United player out of next month's visit from Ukraine. In replacing Fletcher with Stephen Pearson, the manager was aware that he was utilising a player whose strengths are energy and stamina, qualities that would be required to nullify the movement of a home side who became noticeably more fluent in their forward surges between the departure of Fletcher and the end of the first half.
Even so, there was an admirable resistance about the Scots, minimising potentially convertible opportunities and, in the process, ensuring that Craig Gordon would not be overworked. Indeed, those first 45 minutes passed without a solitary example of the kind of incisive thrust that momentarily stops the pulse.
Franck Ribery had a medium-range shot deflected by Lee McCulloch, Malouda tried a low snap shot with his left foot from 20 yards which Gordon smothered comfortably and Claude Makelele found Trezeguet with a precise chip, but the striker, trying a volley on the turn, sliced wildly from the left side of the penalty area.
The Scots looked as menacing themselves on those occasions when they exploited the chance to move towards Landreau's goal. There was an especially slick move down the right when Ferguson's throw to Alan Hutton brought a cute flick to Brown, who bolted towards the right edge of the area. The Celtic player tried a back-heeled pass to the supporting Ferguson which would have certainly wrong-footed the french defenders, but it was intercepted by the ever-alert Makelele.
But Landreau had more of a sweat than Gordon when James McFadden, the lone striker, showed some signature sleight-of-foot on the left, passing Lassana Diarra and testing the France goalkeeper with a powerful, low, left-foot drive from the angle.
Contrary to his pre-match remarks, McLeish did opt for a "sitting" midfielder in Hartley, but he was not as emphatically defensive as, say, Gary Caldwell, and tried when possible to assist in moving the ball forward.
If the French soon after the interval were galvanised into the level of menacing aggression that had been expected of them from the start, the Scots demonstrated that they were no only capable of withstanding the threat, but of replying in kind. Indeed, the most rewarding kind of all, with that extraordinary goal from McFadden.
A short burst of pressure from the home side allowed Gordon opportunities to give an exhibition of his skills, the big goalkeeper starting the mini-series by covering the angles and blocking Ribery's shot from ten yards out to the left after he had been supplied by a clever knock-back from Trezeguet.
He followed up more spectacularly when Diarra sent a pass through the legs of Graham Alexander to Ribery on the right of the area and played the cut-back straight to Trezeguet.
The striker's first-time drive would have found the roof of the net but for the big goalkeeper's upward thrust to push the ball over the bar.
Scotland's own brief flurry of attacks immediately after were founded on a sequence of passes and inventiveness of which they had not appeared capable in last weekend's comparatively pedestrian victory over Lithuania. Pearson was at the heart of the action and, in one instance, had a legitimate claim for a penalty when he was tripped by Julien Escude. The Derby man had lost control of the ball, but that was not relevant to a challenge that was clearly illegal.
The disappointment would not last long, as McFadden produced his piece de resistance just a few minutes later.
It was from a long punt by Gordon that the striker pulled the ball down, turned and hit a ferocious left-foot drive from around 35 yards, the ball hurtling over Landreau and under the crossbar.
It was no surprise when the heroic McFadden, having emptied his energy reserves - including, no doubt, the emergency tank - was replaced by Garry O'Connor in the 76th minute.
The anxiety of the France coach, Raymond Domenech, was betrayed by his removal of Vieira - replaced by Samir Nasri - and Eric Abidal, the defender's place taken by Karim Benzema.
On a night when Scotland's so-called bantams performed like heavyweights, Domenech had good cause to worry.
SCOTLAND
CRAIG GORDON
Predictably busier after the break, but was up to task. 8/10
ALAN HUTTON
Right-back had to curb his natural attacking instincts as he struggled to cope with Malouda's pace but did get forward on occasion. 7
DAVID WEIR
A steadying influence as ever, the veteran central defender kept David Trezeguet under control. 7.
STEPHEN McMANUS
Made a series of perfectly timed blocks and interceptions. An inspirational figure. 9
GRAHAM ALEXANDER
Stuck to his task gamely and played his part in achieving a memorable result. 7.
SCOTT BROWN
The Celtic midfielder yet again showed maturity beyond his years to follow the gameplan diligently and effectively. 7.
PAUL HARTLEY
Justified his recall to the starting line-up emphatically. Immense in a defensive midfield role in front of the back four. 9.
BARRY FERGUSON
The captain's unflustered performance in seeking to ensure Scotland retained possession as effectively as possible was invaluable. 7.
DARREN FLETCHER
Picked up a booking which rules him out of next match against Ukraine, then sustained an injury which forced his replacement after just 26 minutes. 5.
LEE McCULLOCH
As willing and combative as ever. 6.
JAMES McFADDEN
The lone striker carried out his unforgiving assignment diligently before reaping his reward with the remarkable 64th minute goal. 8.
Substitutes:
STEPHEN PEARSON
Responded well to an unexpected early call as replacement for the injured Darren Fletcher. 7.
GARRY O'CONNOR
Replaced the exhausted James McFadden after 76 minutes. 8
FRANCE
MICKAEL LANDREAU
Could only help James McFadden's stunning 64th minute shot into net. 6/10
LASSANA DIARRA
Frustrated in his attempts to lend attacking support. 6
LILIAN THURAM
Imperious for most of the night. Made one magnificent tackle to halt a surging Stephen Pearson. 7
JULIEN ESCUDE
Sevilla stopper was generally untroubled throughout the 90 minutes. 7
ERIC ABIDAL
Appeared nervous in the early stages but settled to provide good support to his more advanced team-mates.6
FRANCK RIBERY
Denied by a fine Craig Gordon save in the second half, his shooting was generally wayward. 7
CLAUDE MAKELELE
Subtle promptings were in vain on this occasion as his more advanced colleagues were frustrated 7
PATRICK VIEIRA
French captain was a frustrated, head-shaking figure for much of his 104th cap. 5
FLORENT MALOUDA
Real threat to Scotland for much of the match but influence decreased the longer it went on. 6
DAVID TREZEGUET
Found both possession and clear-cut opportunities difficult to come by. 5
NICOLAS ANELKA
Was the most dangerous attacking player in the home side. 7
Substitutes
SAMI NASRI
Replaced Vieira for the last 21 minutes but unable to inspire a comeback. 3
KARIM BENZEMA
Replaced Abidal with 12 minutes remaining. 2
sport.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=1463212007
The Tartan Army, many in bizarre attire, witnessed an incredible victory against France in the Euro 2008 qualifier at the Parc-des-Princes stadium. Picture: PA
GLENN GIBBONS
AT THE PARC DES PRINCES
France 0
Scotland 1
McFadden (64)
SCOTLAND'S astonishing adventure reached new heights of exhilaration here in Paris last night, their victory over France taking them back to the top of Group B of the Euro 2008 qualifying and transforming them from outsiders to hot fancies for a trip to Austria and Switzerland next summer.
As he had done against Lithuania four days earlier, James McFadden produced an extraordinary goal, this time to dumbfound a team who were World Cup runners-up last July, and who had been long odds-on to head the section.
It was a heroic performance from all of the 13 players used by manager Alex McLeish, whose own acumen and inspiration is deserving of great credit. He had clearly prepared and instructed a group of players with an astuteness that left the French, by the finish, beaten and demoralised.
Predictably, industry, concentration and seemingly endless willingness were at the core of the work of a Scotland team who, for long periods, not only kept the aggressive instincts of their celebrated opponents fairly subdued, but occasionally caused some alarm in the vicinity of Mickael Landreau in the home goal.
There was, too, an edginess about the French, recalling McLeish's eve-of-match observation that they were under the bulk of the pressure, in the same way as his own side had been in the match against Lithuania at Hampden Park last Saturday.
In the circumstances, they did not deserve to be deprived so cynically of the services of Darren Fletcher as early as the 26th minute. With Scott Brown, Barry Ferguson and Paul Hartley, the Manchester United player had been an imposing influence in midfield.
As a result, the supply to the strikers, Nicolas Anelka and David Trezeguet - the latter taking the place of the suspended Thierry Henry - had been reduced almost to the point of non-existence.
Fletcher was the victim of a crude tackle from behind by Patrick Vieira in the 22nd minute, after the Scot had dispossessed him and begun to stride into home territory.
The French captain was cautioned for his deliberate offence, but Fletcher, still suffering the ill effects of the challenge, picked up a booking of his own for a tug on Florent Malouda before limping off in the 26th minute. The caution rules the Manchester United player out of next month's visit from Ukraine. In replacing Fletcher with Stephen Pearson, the manager was aware that he was utilising a player whose strengths are energy and stamina, qualities that would be required to nullify the movement of a home side who became noticeably more fluent in their forward surges between the departure of Fletcher and the end of the first half.
Even so, there was an admirable resistance about the Scots, minimising potentially convertible opportunities and, in the process, ensuring that Craig Gordon would not be overworked. Indeed, those first 45 minutes passed without a solitary example of the kind of incisive thrust that momentarily stops the pulse.
Franck Ribery had a medium-range shot deflected by Lee McCulloch, Malouda tried a low snap shot with his left foot from 20 yards which Gordon smothered comfortably and Claude Makelele found Trezeguet with a precise chip, but the striker, trying a volley on the turn, sliced wildly from the left side of the penalty area.
The Scots looked as menacing themselves on those occasions when they exploited the chance to move towards Landreau's goal. There was an especially slick move down the right when Ferguson's throw to Alan Hutton brought a cute flick to Brown, who bolted towards the right edge of the area. The Celtic player tried a back-heeled pass to the supporting Ferguson which would have certainly wrong-footed the french defenders, but it was intercepted by the ever-alert Makelele.
But Landreau had more of a sweat than Gordon when James McFadden, the lone striker, showed some signature sleight-of-foot on the left, passing Lassana Diarra and testing the France goalkeeper with a powerful, low, left-foot drive from the angle.
Contrary to his pre-match remarks, McLeish did opt for a "sitting" midfielder in Hartley, but he was not as emphatically defensive as, say, Gary Caldwell, and tried when possible to assist in moving the ball forward.
If the French soon after the interval were galvanised into the level of menacing aggression that had been expected of them from the start, the Scots demonstrated that they were no only capable of withstanding the threat, but of replying in kind. Indeed, the most rewarding kind of all, with that extraordinary goal from McFadden.
A short burst of pressure from the home side allowed Gordon opportunities to give an exhibition of his skills, the big goalkeeper starting the mini-series by covering the angles and blocking Ribery's shot from ten yards out to the left after he had been supplied by a clever knock-back from Trezeguet.
He followed up more spectacularly when Diarra sent a pass through the legs of Graham Alexander to Ribery on the right of the area and played the cut-back straight to Trezeguet.
The striker's first-time drive would have found the roof of the net but for the big goalkeeper's upward thrust to push the ball over the bar.
Scotland's own brief flurry of attacks immediately after were founded on a sequence of passes and inventiveness of which they had not appeared capable in last weekend's comparatively pedestrian victory over Lithuania. Pearson was at the heart of the action and, in one instance, had a legitimate claim for a penalty when he was tripped by Julien Escude. The Derby man had lost control of the ball, but that was not relevant to a challenge that was clearly illegal.
The disappointment would not last long, as McFadden produced his piece de resistance just a few minutes later.
It was from a long punt by Gordon that the striker pulled the ball down, turned and hit a ferocious left-foot drive from around 35 yards, the ball hurtling over Landreau and under the crossbar.
It was no surprise when the heroic McFadden, having emptied his energy reserves - including, no doubt, the emergency tank - was replaced by Garry O'Connor in the 76th minute.
The anxiety of the France coach, Raymond Domenech, was betrayed by his removal of Vieira - replaced by Samir Nasri - and Eric Abidal, the defender's place taken by Karim Benzema.
On a night when Scotland's so-called bantams performed like heavyweights, Domenech had good cause to worry.
SCOTLAND
CRAIG GORDON
Predictably busier after the break, but was up to task. 8/10
ALAN HUTTON
Right-back had to curb his natural attacking instincts as he struggled to cope with Malouda's pace but did get forward on occasion. 7
DAVID WEIR
A steadying influence as ever, the veteran central defender kept David Trezeguet under control. 7.
STEPHEN McMANUS
Made a series of perfectly timed blocks and interceptions. An inspirational figure. 9
GRAHAM ALEXANDER
Stuck to his task gamely and played his part in achieving a memorable result. 7.
SCOTT BROWN
The Celtic midfielder yet again showed maturity beyond his years to follow the gameplan diligently and effectively. 7.
PAUL HARTLEY
Justified his recall to the starting line-up emphatically. Immense in a defensive midfield role in front of the back four. 9.
BARRY FERGUSON
The captain's unflustered performance in seeking to ensure Scotland retained possession as effectively as possible was invaluable. 7.
DARREN FLETCHER
Picked up a booking which rules him out of next match against Ukraine, then sustained an injury which forced his replacement after just 26 minutes. 5.
LEE McCULLOCH
As willing and combative as ever. 6.
JAMES McFADDEN
The lone striker carried out his unforgiving assignment diligently before reaping his reward with the remarkable 64th minute goal. 8.
Substitutes:
STEPHEN PEARSON
Responded well to an unexpected early call as replacement for the injured Darren Fletcher. 7.
GARRY O'CONNOR
Replaced the exhausted James McFadden after 76 minutes. 8
FRANCE
MICKAEL LANDREAU
Could only help James McFadden's stunning 64th minute shot into net. 6/10
LASSANA DIARRA
Frustrated in his attempts to lend attacking support. 6
LILIAN THURAM
Imperious for most of the night. Made one magnificent tackle to halt a surging Stephen Pearson. 7
JULIEN ESCUDE
Sevilla stopper was generally untroubled throughout the 90 minutes. 7
ERIC ABIDAL
Appeared nervous in the early stages but settled to provide good support to his more advanced team-mates.6
FRANCK RIBERY
Denied by a fine Craig Gordon save in the second half, his shooting was generally wayward. 7
CLAUDE MAKELELE
Subtle promptings were in vain on this occasion as his more advanced colleagues were frustrated 7
PATRICK VIEIRA
French captain was a frustrated, head-shaking figure for much of his 104th cap. 5
FLORENT MALOUDA
Real threat to Scotland for much of the match but influence decreased the longer it went on. 6
DAVID TREZEGUET
Found both possession and clear-cut opportunities difficult to come by. 5
NICOLAS ANELKA
Was the most dangerous attacking player in the home side. 7
Substitutes
SAMI NASRI
Replaced Vieira for the last 21 minutes but unable to inspire a comeback. 3
KARIM BENZEMA
Replaced Abidal with 12 minutes remaining. 2
sport.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=1463212007
The Tartan Army, many in bizarre attire, witnessed an incredible victory against France in the Euro 2008 qualifier at the Parc-des-Princes stadium. Picture: PA