Scotland U21s 0-0 Mexico U21s
Friday, 22 March 2019, kick-off 3pm
Dama de Noche, Marbella, Spain

Scot Gemmill's Under-21s put in an organised display against Mexico in the first of their two friendly matches in Spain – drawing 0-0. 

And in what is his first match of 2019, the head coach named four new faces in his starting eleven, with Jamie Brandon, Jake Hastie, Barry Maguire and Kyle McAllister all making their first starts. Ross McCrorie captained the side, while Fraser Hornby led the line for the clash at Dama de Noche, Marbella. 

While the first half was mostly controlled by their opponents, the Scots defended well and looked comfortable in possession against a strong Mexico outfit. George Johnston and Barry Maguire looked composed alongside one another in defence, whilst McCrorie and Allan Campbell put in tireless shifts just in front of the back four. 

Paolo Yrizar went close from just inside the area in the 24th minute, but his side footed effort was too tame to trouble Ross Doohan, who made a comfortable stop to deny the Mexicans opening the scoring with the first chance of the game. 
Just minutes later, Alan Mozo made a powerful run from right back to get on the end of a neat ball down the Scot’s left flank, but as he cut on to his left foot, he pulled his effort wide of the near post. 
The first booking of the game went to Ross McCrorie in the 34th minute, when he collided with Jose Ezquivel. 
Jaime Lozano’s side had the best opportunity in the first 45 when Ronaldo Cisneros made space for himself inside the box, forcing a good stop from Doohan, who got down well to his right to deny the forward. 
In the opening minutes of the second half, a terrific effort from Erick Aguirre on the half volley flashed narrowly wide of the post. 
Gemmill then made his first change five minutes in to the half, replacing McAllister with Celtic’s Mikey Johnston. 
Scotland’s first real opportunity came in the 52nd minute, when the substitute, looking to make an instant impact, broke away in the middle of the park before slipping in the overlapping Daniel Harvie, who sent a low cross towards the box, but it deflected out for a corner. From the resulting set piece, Hornby sent a glancing header wide of the far post from David Turnbull’s cross. 
It was the midfielders last involvement, before being replaced by Jordan Holsgrove. 
And the youngster linked up nicely with Mikey Johnston, reversing a clever ball from a free kick he stood over just seconds after coming on, before the latter sent a terrific ball towards the back post to the lurking McCrorie, who was forced wide and hit the side netting from his left-footed volley. 
Gemmill made two more changes with just thirteen minutes remaining and the game still goalless, bringing on Ben House and Calvin Miller for Hornby and Hastie. 
Mexican substitute Eduardo Aguirre nearly snatched the game with just seconds remaining, but from just a few yards the substitute scuffed his effort and Doohan gathered. 
And it sparked injury time drama as Scotland burst up the park, winning a penalty after an error from Mexico keeper Sebastian Jurado, presenting a glorious chance to seal the game from 12-yards.
Up stepped Mikey Johnston, sending his spot-kick low to the keepers right, but the stopper got down well to more than make amends and earn a draw with the last action of the game.
Scotland: Doohan (GK), Brandon, Maguire, G Johnston, Harvie, Hastie, Campbell, Hornby, Turnbull, McCrorie (C), McAllister
Subs: Wright (GK), McCrorie (GK), Mackie, M Johnston, Miller, House, Holsgrove, Shaw, Reading, Wilson