The Lion Roars

Scotland 1 / France 0
Michael Grant at Hampden

HAMPDEN witnessed the signature result of Walter Smith’s international career last night. Defeating arguably the best football team on the planet may never be eclipsed if only because, as a result of it, it will be a long time before a Scottish victory over the aristocracy seems quite so unexpected or dramatic.

There had been 21 months of steady improvement under Smith, but beating France amounted to a glorious growth spurt.

If it would be pushing it to suggest the door was opened to the Euro 2008 finals last night, at least the handle turned a little.

It was a throwback to the great, heady nights at Hampden. Those inside the stadium had their senses scrambled by the ramifications of France being beaten by a Scottish side displaying resilience, organisation and commitment to suppress and eventually quell the wonderful technique and athleticism of the World Cup runners-up.

The result felt like something of a smash and grab against a superior opponent, an unjust victory the home supporters were nevertheless thrilled to take given that it sent Scotland out on their own as the only side with a 100% record in Group B.

A common remark on the lips of delirious fans around the country last night was “how did that just happen?” Not that anyone cared.

Uefa has not reached the stage at which points are awarded for artistic merit, though, and for all the intricate chess work of France’s stylish movement and possession they were unable to translate that into a sustained barrage of attacks on Scotland’s goal.

That came in the closing minutes, inevitably, as the French attempted with increasing desperation to claw out an equaliser after Gary Caldwell’s startling goal.

For the most part, though, they fell against the two walls built by Smith’s players – four in midfield and five at the back – and trusted that it would be enough to repel the French.

It had looked as though Smith had been too cautious during a grim first half of almost uninterrupted French pressure.

Scotland were more successful at breaking out in the second half, though, and a draw seemed possible in the drizzle and wind until the roof blew off in in the 67th minute when it became clear the reward may be far greater than that.

The goal came in virtually the only brief spell of the game in which Scotland camped in French territory. They carved out two corners in quick succession and the second was played in by Paul Hartley and flew past Davie Weir, whose front post run sucked in the defence, and found Caldwell ahead of Claude Makelele to connect with a low sliding shot into the net.

It was enough to earn Smith a round of applause when he later walked into the media room.

“I think calling it historic would be a bit over the top,” he deadpanned when invited to apply exactly such a description.

“But the result was everything we could have hoped for. It was always going to be a game where France would have a lot of territorial advantage and we would have to defend well, and we managed to do that for the majority of the game.

“We don’t have the overall quality France have, and that’s no disrespect to anyone in our team. Anything we achieve is through hard work.

“I have reminded them that the last time Scotland played one of the favoured nations and won 1-0 they lost 6-0 on the Wednesday [against Holland in the Euro 2004 play-offs three years ago].

“But these players won’t get carried away. There’s a lot of experience now. They know it’s still about a great deal of hard work added to a reasonable amount of ability.

“After three games the group table looks great for us. It’s nice to be sitting at the top with nine points from three games. I said I just wanted us to still be in a competitive position in the group and this win helps us with that.”

Scotland face Ukraine in Kyiv on Wednesday without Christian Dailly, whose booking for time-wasting earned a suspension.

James McFadden’s shift was the most thankless as the lone striker. It had hinted at a sporadic threat to the French goal when Scotland worked a chance in the fourth minute.

McFadden evaded Lilian Thuram at the byline and tried two close range shots which were both blocked, but that early impression was to be entirely misleading for over 40 minutes. Only when Caldwell leapt well to connect with Hartley’s corner and bring a smothering save from Gregory Coupet did Scotland threaten again before half time.

Scotland were so wary of France’s potential to speed away on a counter attack that their midfield four never budged far in front of their back five. It made for a first half in which they had to hang on relentlessly as the French passed their way up to and occasionally through them.

Hampden had the rare joy of drinking in a Thierry Henry performance. He almost opened his show with a goal having set off on a powerful run which earned a free-kick when Caldwell fouled him near the penalty area.

Henry’s own curling shot struck the far post and rebounded back off Craig Gordon’s face to safety.

Scotland were fortunate to get an offside decision without actually looking for it when Franck Ribery’s free-kick was headed into the net by Patrick Vieira, but the Inter Milan player was offside – just – when the ball was played in.

France had beaten Georgia and Italy with first half blitzes and when Scotland failed to similarly succumb they began to seem less sure of themselves.

It still seemed inconceivable that it would result in a home victory, but Scotland were far more prominent after half time. McFadden slashed a real chance horribly wide at the start of the second half, and even though Caldwell’s goal provoked the expected backlash of French pressure, Hartley may have doubled the lead had his control been better from Barry Ferguson’s through ball.

Garry O’Connor even had the impertinence to try to chip the French goalkeeper.

Four minutes from the end Florent Malouda floated a ball over the Scotland defence and Henry stole in to connect with a header. Hampden held its breath, but the ball flew deliciously into Gordon’s welcoming arms.

Perhaps this will be as good as it gets for Smith and Scotland, but last night there didn’t seem to be anything wrong with that.

Taken from the Sunday Herald