International Friendly 
Scotland 1-1 Sweden
Wednesday, 19 March 2025 
Pinatar Arena, Spain

Scorers

Scotland 1 (Chambers 33)

Sweden 1 (Jonsson 38)

Team News

The Scotland side showed 10 changes from their last fixture back in November, a 0-0 draw against France, with only Rudi Molotnikov remaining.

Rory Mahady, Josh Dede, Colby Donovan, Dylan Smith and Ryan One have been included in Scot Gemmill’s Under-21 squad who are also in Spain this week, while Lennon Miller - who started in central midfield - has been included in Steve Clarke’s senior team.

Harrison McMahon, Matthew Gillies and Aidan Borland were withdrawn from the original squad named - alongwith the promoted Mahady and Bailey Rice - with six replacements called up in the form of Calum Adamson, Scott Constable, Josh Landers, Callan McKenna and James Overy.

As It Happened

After a slow start to the game it was Sweden who had the first opportunity with Anton Hoog curling wide from the edge of the box in the 20th minute.

Scotland’s first opportunity came seven minutes later when Owen Stirton charged down Sweden goalkeeper's Elton Fisherstom Opancar's clearance to set up a chance for Molotnikov but the winger’s shot was too close to the relieved goalkeeper.

Those two players combined for what should have been the opener in the 31st minute as Molotnikov crossed for Stirton but he could not direct his volley on target from six yards out.

Sam Chambers then thought he should have had a penalty moments later as he went down in the area but the referee was unmoved.

Chambers was smiling three minutes later though as he gave Scotland the lead. After a free-kick was only partially cleared, Scotland recycled it and Findlay Curtis cut the ball back from Leeds United youngster Chambers who stroked the ball into the bottom left hand corner of the net.

It was very nearly 2-0 straight from the restart as an impressive high press from Scotland ended with Tyler Fletcher shooting straight at the goalkeeper from the edge of the box.

Scotland’s lead would only last 5 minutes, however, as Neo Jonsson equalised with a superb finish into the top corner as he cut into the box from the right wing.

The sides went in level at the break but Scotland came flying out of the traps in the second period and twice went close within two minutes of the restart. First, the lively Molotnikov had a shot saved by the busy Opancar after good work from Chambers and Curtis, before Curtis skipped past a couple of defenders before firing into the side netting from a tight angle.

After a fairly even first half, Scotland were very much on top, with Chambers and half-time substitute Calum Penman getting lots of joy down the right hand side in particular.

Lots of the Scotland's good moments were coming through Molotnikov, as well, and his jinking run from a short corner led to a headed chance for Joseph McGrath whose attempt was just wide on 75 minutes. 

Both sides made a number of changes as the game lost its rhythm a touch but Sweden had a chance in the 89th minute as Kenan Busuladzic forced a fairly routine save from sub keeper Callan McKenna with a shot from just inside the box.

Scotland had the chance to win it in the last minute through substitute Landers but the striker's header just went wide of the far post as a competitive match finished level.

Scotland Team

Scotland: Williamson (McKenna 64), Overy (Penman 45), Armer (Campbell 45), McGrath, Harding, Ure (Constable 64), Chambers (Daly 81), Fletcher, Stirton (Landers 45), Molotnikov (Beattie 77), Curtis

Unused substitutes: Ecrepont, Wylie, Cooper