Friendly Match
Scotland 2-3 Sweden 
Thursday, 23rd March 2023
Pinatar Arena, Spain  

Scot Gemmill’s side returned for their first game of 2023 for a game against Sweden, as they prepare for their 2025 European qualifying campaign which starts in September. 

Scorers  

Scotland 2: Mebude 10', Fiorini 90'

Sweden 3: Larsson 14', Rosengren 59', Bardghji 86'

Team News 

There were three Under-21 debuts in the line-up, with Dire Mebude, Ben Summers and Jeremiah Mullen all making their first appearances for Scot Gemmill’s side.  

Josh Doig captained the side after missing November's game against Iceland, while Cieran Slicker returned in goal after injury.

As it happened   

It was Scotland who started the brighter of the two teams as their aggressive pressing disrupted Sweden playing out from the back.

And it was Scotland who took the lead in the 10th minute. Debutant Mebude danced his way into the opposition box with fancy footwork giving himself space to fire a shot into the Sweden net.

Scotland almost doubled their lead moments later, when Ben Summers picked the ball up 20 yards from goal but he could not quite replicate Mebude's finish as his attempt went just past the post.  

It was Sweden who scored next, from a free kick just inside their own half. Otto Rosengren floated a ball into the Scotland box as Omar Faraj won the first ball, it dropped to centre-back Hugo Larsson who timed his run perfectly to fire the ball underneath the Slicker.  

Half an hour in, Connor Barron gained possession inside his own half and charged through the heart of the pitch but his shot trickled agonizingly wide.

Scotland enjoyed a lot of success in the wide areas thanks to the marauding runs of fullbacks Doig and Max Johnston who were a constant threat in an impressive first half showing from the Scots.

Just before the break Sweden’s Sebastian Nanasi found space just inside the Scotland penalty area where he cut inside and produced a curled effort that came back off the crossbar. 

The second half of the match saw both teams adopt a more cautious approach, with a focus on maintaining possession.

However, just before the 60th minute, the game's momentum changed when Sweden’s Rosengren gained control of the ball in Scotland's half.

Rosengren found his teammate, Noah Persson, who had advanced into the Scotland box from the fullback position. Persson returned the ball back to Rosengren, who was able to steer his shot into the net and give his side the lead.

Azeem Abdulai, Josh Adam and Cole McKinnon all came on in the second half for their first appearances at Under-21 level, adding to the three debuts from the start. 

Sweden would score a third late on as a clipped ball over the top of Scotland’s defence found Sweden’s right-back Joel Mendes who then played it into the feet of Bardghji. The substitute took his time to create space before unleashing a clinical finish with his left foot to put Sweden 3-1 up. 

Though a consolation was to come for Scotland in spectacular fashion. In the 92nd minute Josh Adam floated a corner to the edge of the box which was met perfectly by Lewis Fiorini whose right foot volley which was too powerful for the Sweden goalkeeper.

 

It proved to be the final contribution in a game where a young Scotland side have plenty of positives to take.

Next Up

Scotland take on Wales at the same venue on Sunday, with a 1pm kick off scheduled. That match will also be available to watch online on Scotland National Team social channels.

Match report by Alister Bean 

Scotland line up 

Scotland:  Slicker, Doig, Morrison, Hackney (Abdulai 59’), Barron (Smith 67’), Fiorini, Mebude (Adam 80’), Bowie (Dickson-Peters 59’), Summers (McKinnon 80’), Johnston (Devine 80’), Mullen 

Unused substitutes: Newham, Johnson, Neilson, Mulligan, Anderson