Scotland 2-2 Finland: Antman inspires comeback for visitors

Finland came from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Scotland at Hampden Park as their Euro 2024 preparations concluded on Friday.

The hosts had to wait until the 54th minute to find the breakthrough having dominated the ball in the first half, as Andy Robertson, who captained Scotland for a record 49th time, saw his searching delivery turned in by the unfortunate Arttu Hoskonen.

The Liverpool full-back had broken a 67-year record previously held by George Young, and he was at the heart of the action again four minutes later as Anthony Ralston’s attempted cross fell kindly into his path, taking his time before picking out Lawrence Shankland to head beyond Viljami Sinsalo.

Scotland rang the changes, with Craig Gordon replacing Angus Gunn in goal to become the Tartan Army’s oldest player at 41 years and 159 days, but he would endure an outing to forget.

The Motherwell goalkeeper would pick the ball out of the net three minutes after his introduction as substitutes Oliver Antman and Benjamin Kallman combined, with the latter heading the ball into the bottom corner.

Finland then clinched a draw late on as Gordon was adjudged to have fouled Tomas Galvez inside the box, with Antman stepping up and placing the penalty straight down the middle.

FULL TIME: Scotland 2-2 Finland.

An end-to-end second half finishes all-square, after an own goal and Lawrence Shankland header gave us a quick-fire lead, before Finland scored a double of their own to draw level. #EURO2024 | #SCOFIN pic.twitter.com/hzD1spBFPR

— Scotland National Team (@ScotlandNT) June 7, 2024

Data Debrief: Scotland denied late on

Scotland maintained their record of having never lost a match against Finland in their nine meetings (six wins, three draws). They have now only faced the Faroe Islands (11 games) more often without losing in their history, also facing Cyprus on nine occasions without losing.

However, Steve Clarke will have been frustrated by their late collapse, and similarly generous defending will certainly be punished by Germany in next week’s Euro 2024 opener.