International Friendly
Netherlands 2-2 Scotland
Wednesday, 2 June 2021, kick-off 7.45pm
Estadio Algarve, Algarve, Portugal

Netherlands: Memphis Depay (17’, 89’)
Scotland: Jack Hendry (11’), Kevin Nisbet (63’)

In Scotland’s penultimate match before EURO 2020, they drew 2-2 against the Netherlands in an entertaining game in the Algarve.

Jack Hendry gave Scotland an early lead with a stunning strike before Memphis Depay levelled. Kevin Nisbet made a dream start to his appearance off the bench by scoring three minutes into coming on. It looked like Scotland were going to record a victory but Depay steered a free-kick into the net as the game drew to a close, to deny Scotland what would have been a deserved victory.

Team news

Steve Clarke was without John Fleck for the match after he tested positive for COVID-19. John McGinn, Che Adams, Nathan Patterson, David Marshall, Stephen O'Donnell and Grant Hanley also didn’t travel to Portugal as a precaution.

David Turnbull made his first start for Scotland following an impressive season for Celtic. James Forrest made his first start for Scotland since September 2020.

Fresh from their appearances in the Europa League and Champions League Finals respectively, Scott McTominay and Billy Gilmour were named on the bench after meeting up with the team yesterday.

Stuart Armstrong was awarded his 25th cap for his country following his selection.

As it happened

Scotland started the game strongly and were close to taking the lead early on when Kieran Tierney went close with a long distance drive.

His former Celtic teammate Jack Hendry then stepped up to score his first Scotland goal with a superb low strike from outside the box after 11 minutes.. Showing strength to win the ball he made no mistake in slotting into the corner of the net.

Netherlands weren’t long in levelling the scores though when Memphis Depay escaped the Scotland midfielders to make a run to the edge of the box and he slipped the ball beyond Gordon following Wijnaldum’s knock down.

At the break the scores were level following an even first half where Kieran Tierney carried on from his impressive performances in March and shone once again with driving runs from defence, down the left hand side.

At the start of the second half Jack Hendry, Liam Cooper and Tierney were tested defensively but the three combined well to thwart Netherlands’ advances.

After 60 minutes, Steve Clarke brought on three substitutes including Kevin Nisbet who made an instant impact, scoring just three minutes after entering the fray. Andy Robertson found space down the left and an expertly curled ball found the Hibernian striker at the back post who was able to score his first goal for his country.

With 68 minutes David Turnbull nearly made it three when he unleashed a fierce strike from outside the box but his shot flew narrowly wide of the target.

Billy Gilmour capped a memorable week by making his Scotland debut from the bench, fresh from winning the Champions League with Chelsea.

In the dying moments Netherlands snatched the draw when Memphis Depay notched from a free-kick at the end of the box

Next Up

Scotland will face Luxembourg on Sunday at 5pm (UK time) away from home in their final match before EURO 2020 begins.

The players will then return home for a few days before reconvening in Middlesbrough on Wednesday, 9 June in preparation for their opening match against Czech Republic.

Teams

Netherlands: Krul, Dumfries, Timber (Berghuis, 69), De Vrij (L De Jong, 85), De Ligt, Wijndal (Van Aanholt, 69), Wijnaldum (Gravenberch, 31), De Roon, F De Jong (Klaassen, 31), Weghorst (Promes, 69), Depay

Unused Substitutes: Stekelenburg, Bizot, Veltman, Malen, Van de Beek, Koopmeiners

Scotland: Gordon, Hendry, Cooper (Gallagher, 60), Tierney (McKenna, 69), Forrest (Fraser, 60), Armstrong, Turnbull (Gilmour, 81), McGregor, Robertson (Taylor 69), Christie, Dykes (Nisbet 60)

Unused Substitutes: McLaughlin, McTominay