Switzerland beat ten-man Scotland at Hampden to stay perfect
Switzerland beat Scotland at Hampden Park on 29 September to make it two wins from two in Nations League Group B1.
The visitors struck through Ricardo Rodriguez and Nico Elvedi. Rodriguez curled in a 19-yard free-kick. Elvedi added the second from close range in the second half The Guardian.
The night turned early for Scotland. Jack Hendry fouled Dan Ndoye on the edge of the box. Referee Nenad Minakovic first showed a yellow card and pointed to the penalty spot.
VAR, the video assistant referee who checks big decisions, intervened. The referee reviewed the pictures. He moved the foul outside the box, cancelled the penalty and sent Hendry off instead.
Scotland played almost 80 minutes with 10 men. That is a long time to chase the game. Switzerland kept the ball and made the extra man count.
Rodriguez made the moment his own. The free-kick that followed Hendry's foul was his goal on his 146th appearance for Switzerland BBC Sport. Few players reach that number. He marked it with a finish from distance.
Scotland came into the tie looking for a first win under Sébastien Pocognoli. Pocognoli succeeded Steve Clarke as Scotland manager The Guardian. The wait goes on.
The Nations League, UEFA's competition that groups national teams by ranking, has started well for the Swiss. Murat Yakin's side had already won away in North Macedonia on the Saturday before the Hampden trip. Six points from two games is a strong start.
The sides know each other well. They drew 1-1 in the group stage at UEFA EURO 2024. This was different. The early red card shaped everything.
The game kicked off at 7:45pm at Barclays Hampden in Glasgow. It was shown live on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer.
What makes this stand out is how quickly control slipped away from Scotland. One challenge, one review, one red card. For fans, this means another frustrating night at Hampden, while Switzerland leave Glasgow with momentum and breathing space at the top of the group.
