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Football

12th Nov 2020

WATCH: Emotional Ryan Christie fights back tears as he reflects on historic Scotland win

Simon Lloyd

The loveliest post-match interview you’ll see in a loooonnnng time

And finally, Scotland’s wait is over. 22 years after their last appearance at a major finals, they were finally able to book a place at next summer’s European Championships after a penalty shootout win over Serbia.

Naturally, they made it excruciatingly difficult for their supporters. Having deservedly taken the lead in Belgrade through Ryan Christie’s strike early in the second half, Steve Clarke’s men were agonisingly close to winning the game in 90 minutes. Alas, a lapse in concentration when defending an 89th-minute corner allowed Luka Jovic to nod home an equaliser.

Serbia looked the likelier team to score during extra-time but failed to get the crucial goal, sending the game to a nerve-shredding shootout. With nine out of nine penalties scored, Aleksandar Mitrović stepped up and saw his spot-kick saved by David Marshall – enough to confirm Scotland’s safe passage to the Euros.

Speaking after the game, Christie was clearly overwhelmed by the enormity of what he and his teammates had achieved. The Celtic midfielder struggling to fight back the tears as he reflected on a momentous night.