UEFA European Under-17 Championship Finals
Scotland 0-5 France
Thursday, 7th May 2015, kick-off 5pm (local time)
Beroe, Stara Zagora, Bulgaria
Ikone 18, 20, Edouard 25, Boutobba 35, Doucoure 47
Scotland got off to the worst possible start in the 2015 UEFA European Under-17 Championship Finals as France inflicted a heavy defeat in Stara Zagora this afternoon.
Four first-half goals and another in the second half handed France a 5-0 victory and left the Scots at the bottom of Group C after one match.
However, Greece and Russia, Scotland’s next two opponents, drew 2-2 in their opening match which gives Scot Gemmill’s young side hope of reaching the quarter-finals.
Rangers pair Robby and Ross McCrorie became the first set of twins to represent Scotland at a major tournament after being named in the starting 11.
Rangers forward Zak Rudden also created history by becoming the first Scottish FA Performance School pupil to play at a finals.
Scotland were without three players for today’s match – Lewis Morrison, Iain Wilson and Frank Ross – all of whom were suspended after picking up suspensions in the final match of the elite round qualifiers in March.
Thunder and lightning hit the Beroe Stadium shortly before kick-off and there was some doubt as to whether the match would go ahead as the rain lashed down.
Just as the storm died down in the first few minutes of the match, Scotland had one of their own to contend with in the shape of their French opponents.
Ikone grabbed the opening goal of the match after just 18 minutes when he pounced on some slack Scottish defending and fired beyond McCrorie.
A minute later, Liam Burt tried had an audacious attempt at goal when he tried to chip goalkeeper Luca Zidane, son of the former France internationalist Zinedine Zidane, from the halfway line but the Real Madrid kid tipped the ball wide.
Scotland failed to make the resulting corner count and Boutobba, who has already appeared in Marseille’s first team, played in Ikone with an excellent pass for his and France’s second goal in a fine counter-attacking move.
On 25 minutes, France grabbed their third goal of the game as Edouard found the back of the net with a terrific flick from close range.
The French showed no signs of relenting at the beginning of the second half and Doucoure thunder bolt from distance found the bottom corner of the net to make it 5-0.
Despite the disappointment of a heavy defeat in their first group match, they can look forward to their remaining matches knowing qualification is still in their own hands.
Gemmill’s side face Greece on Sunday, kick-off 3pm (UK time).
Scotland | Robby McCrorie, Ross McCrorie (C), Souttar, Higgins, Harvie, Burt, McIntyre, Hill (Aitchison 24), Hendry, Miller (Finlayson 54), Middleton (Rudden 63).
Subs not used |Doohan (GK).