mighty france 0 lowly scotland 1

[Puck]

what a stunning result for scotland

Last Updated: Wednesday, 12 September 2007, 20:53 GMT 21:53 UK
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France 0-1 Scotland
By Thomas McGuigan

Scotland's players celebrate at the final whistle
Scotland celebrate their famous win at the Parc des Princes
Scotland secured an incredible Euro 2008 double over France courtesy of a James McFadden strike in Paris.

The French threw everything at the Scots in the Group B qualifier in the Parc des Princes but could not find a way past goalkeeper Craig Gordon.

Gordon denied the tireless Franck Ribery and Nicolas Anelka with two wonderful second-half saves.

McFadden stunned the hosts in the 64th minute when his 30-yard strike beat the despairing Mikael Landreau.

Interview: Scotland manager Alex McLeish
Interview: Scotland match-winner James McFadden
Interview: Scotland's Paul Hartley

Scotland threw an iron curtain around Gordon's goal as Alex McLeish's side were content to concede possession and repel countless French attacks.

McLeish made four changes to the team which defeated Lithuania 3-1 at Hampden for Wednesday's crucial game against the Group B leaders.

Captain Barry Ferguson returned from suspension, with Kris Boyd dropping out and McFadden playing as the lone striker in a 4-5-1 formation.

Euro 2008 Qualifying tables

Burnley defender Graham Alexander was preferred to Jay McEveley at left-back - and Celtic midfielder Paul Hartley replaced Gary Teale.

Tens of thousands of Tartan Army foot soldiers had made the journey to Paris to cheer on the side more in hope than expectation.

France looked menacing in the opening 10 minutes and Ribery's cross after a lung-bursting run down the right-hand side was cleared by central defender Stephen McManus.

Patrick Vieira and Darren Fletcher
The Scots threw everything in front of countless French attacks

The Scots were compact in midfield and the hosts were looking to attack down the flanks.

Flourent Malouda had the first shot on target after 16 minutes, but his strike from 25 yards failed to trouble Gordon.

Scotland were failing to keep possession and were camped in front of their 18-yard box with little sign of putting the French under pressure.

Malouda's drilled cross across goal after 20 minutes eluded Trezeguet and Ribery failed to convert at the back post.

France captain Patrick Vieira and Scotland midfielder Darren Fletcher were booked in quick succession as the pace of the game quickened.

The Manchester United midfielder was then substituted through injury and was replaced by Stephen Pearson.

France enjoyed the lion-share of possession but could not make their territorial superiority count.

James McFadden fires the Scots in front
McFadden's thunderous effort gave Scotland an incredible victory

The second half began with the same pattern - France enjoying midfield superiority, without breaking the deadlock.

Eric Abidal and Malouda were particularly wasteful in possession from the left-hand side.

Ribery almost gave the hosts the lead in 54 minutes when he neatly dummied Anelka's through pass and collected Trezeguet's flick.

The Bayern Munich winger saw his first effort brilliantly parried by Gordon and he blazed over the rebound.

Anelka was denied by Gordon a minute later, when the Bolton striker's high shot from inside the 18-yard-box brought a reflex save from the Scotland keeper.

McFadden stunned the French when he collected the ball 30 yards out and sent a rasping drive towards goal which Landreau could only help into the net.

The goal stung the French into further attacks, but the Scots' rearguard held firm.

Scotland held on to record a second win against the World Cup finalists, following the 1-0 victory at Hampden last October.

France: Landreau, Lassana Diarra, Thuram, Escude, Abidal (Benzema 77), Ribery, Vieira (Nasri 69), Makelele, Malouda, Trezeguet, Anelka.
Subs Not Used: Frey, Evra, Toulalan, Clerc, Mexes.

Booked: Vieira, Nasri.

Scotland: Gordon, Hutton, McManus, Weir, Alexander, McCulloch, Ferguson, Fletcher (Pearson 26), Brown, Hartley, McFadden (O'Connor 76).
Subs Not Used: McGregor, McEveley, Caldwell, Boyd, Maloney.

Booked: Fletcher, Hartley.

Goals: McFadden 64.

Att: 78,000

Ref: Konrad Plautz (Austria).

[Hatebreed]

Well done Scotland. I see Evra didn't play, he must feel relieved. Sir Alex did tell him not to come back if France beat the Scots.

[Nocturnal]

All results:September 12

Euro 2008 - Group A (qualifiers)
FT Kazakhstan 2 - 2 Belgium
FT Finland 0 - 0 Poland
FT Portugal 1 - 1 Serbia

Group B (qualifiers)
FT Lithuania 2 - 1 Faroe Islands
FT Ukraine 1 - 2 Italy
FT France 0 - 1 Scotland

Group C (qualifiers)
FT Norway 2 - 2 Greece
FT Turkey 3 - 0 Hungary
FT Bosnia-Herzegovina 0 - 1 Moldova

Group D (qualifiers)
FT Slovakia 2 - 5 Wales
FT Cyprus 3 - 0 San Marino
FT Czech Republic 1 - 0 Ireland

Group E (qualifiers)
FT Andorra 0 - 6 Croatia
FT Rep. of Macedonia 1 - 1 Estonia
FT England 3 - 0 Russia

Group F (qualifiers)
FT Denmark 4 - 0 Liechtenstein
FT Iceland 2 - 1 Northern Ireland
FT Spain 2 - 0 Latvia

Group G (qualifiers)
FT Bulgaria 3 - 0 Luxembourg
FT Slovenia 1 - 0 Belarus
FT Albania 0 - 1 Holland

[Puck]

i often wonder, if ferguson would ever take up the gauntlet of a lengthy spell as scotland manager once he retires from club football..

[abdulw11]

Well done, Scotland. Almost everyone doubted that they would be able to do the double over France.

[Sohel]

La fluque ?

[Tigers_eye]

French coach was already complaining about the ground before the match. What did he say now? Aparently the field was tored up a friendly international Rugby match.

[NightF!re]

Hehee...Lets see what the Scottish players can do with india...(if there is play..)