Gutting
By: Ian Rose | November 17th, 2007In the 90th minute, after a lovely run of play that saw Scotland miss one chance after another … it’s over. I can’t believe it, but it’s actually over. This is an absolute heartbreaker. 2-1 to Italy, on a 2nd-minute Luca Toni goal (those last couple of words sound familiar), a Barry Ferguson rebound in the second half, and a gutting, soul-ripping finish from Christian Panucci at the death.
There are a lot of Italy fans that will claim it should have been 1-3, based on a terrible offside call, but because of an almost-as-terrible penalty non-call, I’ll make a claim for 2-3. Wow … catching my breath … damn …
Alright. There were some very positive points in this match. The result, obviously, and especially the timing, is terrible. But any Italian fan that says a word about “anti-football” is a pure fool. I doubt they will. It was a great match, with both strong attacks running into both impressive defenses. I am thoroughly impressed by the Italian back four – some great, great team defending. But Scotland played a good match, creating good attacking chances. The problem was finishing. James McFadden, the hero of France, had a fantastic chance to once again don the red cape and Steven Ireland underoos … but a terrible stumbling finish robbed us of the go-ahead goal.
Man of the match for me has to be Alan Hutton. He was a pure footballer today, putting great balls through to the forwards and consistently controlling a 20-yard space around himself. Hutton is having a great year for Rangers and Scotland, and really made a play today to be short-listed for Scotland player of the year. As if anyone but McFadden has a shot at that …
Some really bright spots. Every corner and several free kicks were serious dangers to the Italian goal, where the lampshade-wearing Buffon looked vulnerable. Seriously, just an aside here. What the hell was on that man’s head? It was like a beanie with a sunroof.
Italy deserves this win, I’ll say that much. To give up a goal in the 90th minute (and nearly another in the 91st) is a mistake that a world-class defense like Scotland’s cannot afford to make. An open goal in his face is a chance that a striker like McFadden needs to be able to convert. Obviously, I’m incredibly disappointed. But I’m disappointed in the result, and in a few plays, not in our overall style of play. That was a great example of Scottish football, and the midfield and defensive play gave us a great chance to beat the world champions of football. The finishing was bad, and that’s why we lost, but “anti-football” it was NOT.
It no longer matters to Scotland whether Ukraine beats France on Wednesday. The Euro 2008 campaign is over. I need to let that fact settle in. Good match, guys.
Category: Scotland National Team
Comments
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As much as I feel great that France goes through, my heart breaks for Scotland and their fans. You’re all the best of the bunch.
I look forward to seeing you in WC 2010!
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I can’t believe that the ref gave that call. If anything, it should have been a Scotland freekick. But noooooooo, the linesman was a dick and gave it to the italians.
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Although I’m English and I would have recieved hell from my Scottish mates if you qualified and we didn’t, I really wanted Scotland to go through, for the fans.
One minute Kenny Miller misses a good chance, the other your heart sinks into the bottomless pit that is football despondancy
Keep your chins up Scotland, you did yourselves proud.
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It’s a cruel world after all.
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I could be wrong but i had the feeling Scotts managed well in this qualification round when they were underdogs but when they begin to become one of the favorites they collapsed. The Toni’s goal is a sign of tension. Too much pressure. I think Scotland fans should see the positive, their team is the best of the last ten years. WC qualifications are easier than euro ones, may be they could hope the luck to not fall in the same group of the two finalists of the last WC. They made this qualification group interesting. Bad luck but good work.
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Congrats to the Scots for a great run…Man, I wish you would have advanced and not France
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man the Scots played their asses off; they made a fan out of me. I’m an Italy fan, but I was really hoping for a tie. I hate the fact that France got through and not Scotland.
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Ian I think this is fairest reaction I’ve heard for a fan on either side of this one. Cheers.
My two cents as an Italia supporter:
Italia showed the heart, character, talent and determination to win in a hostile atmosphere in horrible weather against a talented, heart-filled side playing with mad passion and confidence of victory. As Ian points out, the bad calls more than offset, and one could argue Italy was the side harder done. Still, Scotland were fantastic, a hard-fighting side with a real chance of qualifying for the WC. I have only admiration for the Tartan players. McLeish’s post-match comments are another matter, but they were probably made in the heat of emotion. I thank the Azzurri for lifting Italians around the world. They played with the heart of lions, and they won with the determination of a world a champion. -
Mark – That’s so good to hear, after all the talk about how Scots don’t play “real football”. Today, we showed we can play with the best in the world, not only with results (almost) but with some real style as well.
McTalian – Thanks, mate. I’m so proud of what our side has done that I can’t bring myself to be mad about this game.
Laurie – I’m glad I don’t have to root against you and France this week, but I certainly would have. I hope we do see you in WC2010.
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Mark, I hate the fact that the ITALIANS got through and not Scotland.
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I just hate the fact that France exists. That’s all.
I think the real crime here is that Scotland has yet to be given like a 200 billion euro subsidy to build some state of the art parks and hold the WC every-other go around. It felt like I was there through my laptop. (Besides the guy consistently yelling in Arabic on my stream, of course.)
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Laurie, did you see Rino’s and Ray’s comments? Looks like there’s plenty of hate to go around
Should be a fun match up if/when France take on Italy.
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I think 2-3 is a horribly wrong score.. Italy’s last goal was a bad call , and Di Natale’s goal should have stood.. But Scotland’s should not have as it was offside. (Ask anyone who saw the game and all news reports)
2-0 for Italy should have been the final result, which would’ve killed Scotland off..
Very proud of your team I have to say.. I’m surprised they made it this far but not many people expected it. It’s a horrible shame that Domenech will be in Austria-Switzerland and not the Scots.
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chris – Sometime in the future, a Scotland-hosted World Cup would be great, and even though it will be 30+ years because of England maybe getting it in 2018, it’s a nice idea to keep in the back of my mind for the rest of my life.
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If France weren’t in the tournament, Euro 2008 would be so boring! The off-the-pitch shenanigans of Domenech will keep Martha and Chris busy with posting and the Azurri fans with something to look forward to in their newspapers!
Ian, sorry to see Scotland out, as I would rather they have qualified instead of Italy. But both Celtic and Rangers still have a shot at advancing in the CL. Regardless, I think this year has been a huge confidence boost for Scotland in terms of football, and perhaps this will encourage more confidence in Scottish managers when it comes to tactics, now that they know they have players capable of performing on the big stage.
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I finally saw this on ESPN Deportes on DVR. Well played Scotland, and thanks to the usual Italian diving team in the last minute, got the DFK that should’ve been the Tartans’. And with the AR right there… I just don’t get it.
As for the offside goals… given and taken, holy shite.
I hope to see the Tartan Army in line for WC2010. The only side that played with teh heart of lions was you, the finest lads in Scotland. I can’t wait to watch this gang play again.
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hey justjack,
I didn’t see a dive at the end? are you blind or just stupid. It was a bad call, that’s it and that’s all. It had nothing to do with anything else. You made a blantantly false statement. There are many factors in a game that can affect an outcome, diving played no role in Scotland’s defeat. The fault is Scotland’s alone. They were handed two life lines in this game, what more do you want?
This is the best line. [As for the offside goals..given and taken] It’s amazing how you can explain away these two terrible calls that would have completely changed the result of this match and not the one at the end of the game which Scotland had an opportunity to rise to the challenge and defend. Ignorance is the only thing I took from your post. Your right hand points and accuses as your left hand steals money from the collection plate. You should have a more informed opinion, make your point without the cheap shots you’ll come out a little wiser in the end. Happy New Year!
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