Qualifying for a major tournament is great, but waiting for an agonizing 22-years to do so, that’s another ball game altogether. And that’s the story of the Scottish national team.
A historic nerve-racking shootout victory over Serbia on Wednesday brought an end to Scotland’s 23-year absence from major men’s tournament and as would anyone, the players were over the moon, deservedly so and reeling with emotions.
David Marshall saved magnificently from Aleksandar Mitrovic for a 5-4 sudden-death win after Scotland had dominated, led until the 90th minute, then hung on for penalties in Belgrade.
Ryan Christie’s second-half opener had Steve Clarke’s side tantalisingly close to a Euro 2020 place but Luka Jovic netted amid a late Serbian rally to force extra time.
However, a tiring Scotland were impeccable from the spot as they ended a barren streak of 10 missed tournaments.
Clarke’s men are now nine games unbeaten – their best run in 44 years – They last enjoyed a longer run without defeat in February 1930 (11 games) and will face England, Croatia and the Czech Republic in Group D at next summer’s delayed finals.
Serbia has now failed to qualify for the Euros in each of their four attempts since first competing as an independent country in 2006.
