Scotland secure point in U19 Euro qualifier in incredible six-goal thriller with Ireland

End-to-end drama in Kirkintilloch as Scotland secured a point in their hopes to qualify for the U19s European Championship against Ireland.

In a game that gave all in attendance every weather condition imaginable, Ireland looked for their first win of the group after their draw with Poland on Matchday one, while Scotland looked to bounce back from a 3-0 defeat to Italy. 

Scotland would get us underway and would have the first big chance in three minutes after a shot from Tommy North was saved comfortably by Ireland keeper, Alex Noonan. However, from that moment, Ireland would look the most likely to take the lead, with two shots from Charles Akinrintoyo being saved comfortably by Rydnn McGuire before he was called into action once more on 22 minutes to pull off an incredible save after a powerful effort by Ireland’s Ryan Butler.

But it would be Scotland who would take the lead on the half-hour mark after a cross from Keir Gilligan found Aiden McCallion at the back post, who fired it home to make it 1-0 to the Scots.

That lead would only last nine minutes as a brilliant free kick from Ireland’s Oisin McDonagh found the top corner to level the game at 1-1 with five minutes left until half-time.

Half time came and went, and it didn’t take long for the action to begin once again, as on 49 minutes, Ireland’s Kian Brown was played a through ball, and he ran into the box and finished calmly to give Ireland the lead for the first time in the game.

However, that lead wouldn’t last long, though, as only four minutes later, a ball into the box found the head of Scotland’s Tommy North, who found the back of the net to level the game once more, this time at 2-2. 

Once again, though, the game wasn’t level for long as Ireland substitute Cillian Tollett was given time and space on the edge of the box, which he used to take a curling shot that flew past the Scotland keeper to restore Ireland’s lead in the game once again. From there, both sides would have chances, with shots from Scotland’s Joseph Teasdale and Ireland’s Kian Brown both being saved in a simple manner.

But it would be Scotland with the next major moment in the match, as on 80 minutes, Alexander Smith delivered a lovely cross into the box which allowed Joseph Teasdale to tap it into the bottom corner to once again level the score, 3-3, with ten minutes left to play.

Ireland would have the biggest chance after that, as on 85 minutes, Kian Brown got past a Scotland defender and fired a shot on goal which forced Rydnn McGuire to make an incredible save and tip the ball over the bar. 

And that would be the final action of the game. Scotland earned a crucial point in their own hopes to qualify for the U19s European Championship next summer in the Czech Republic.

Republic of Ireland Player of the Match: Kian Brown

Brown also scored in the game and got an assist alongside a series of chances that were very close to giving Ireland an advantage in the game.

Scotland Player of the Match: Tommy North

North scored and created multiple big chances in the game as Scotland looked to win the game.

Republic of Ireland Magic Moment:

Oisin McDonagh was a clear pick for Ireland’s magic moment, a free kick with five minutes to go in the half, found the top corner to level the game at 1-1 with the goal of the day.

Scotland Magic Moment:

With 10 minutes to go in the game, a brilliant cross by Alexander Smith found the foot of Joseph Teasdale to tap it home to make it 3-3 in the game.