Scotland Advances To Euro 2020 After Withdrawing Serbia On Penalties

Scottish national team goalkeeper David Marshall (L) taps off Serbian striker Aleksandar Mitrovic's execution to determine victory in Line C's EURO playoff penalty shootout (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - The Scottish national football team qualified for the Euro 2020 finals after eliminating Serbia on penalties which ended 5-4 in the Line C playoff match at the Rajko Mitic Stadium, Belgrade, Thursday local time (Friday WIB).

According to Antara, Scotland took the lead since the 52nd minute when Ryan Christie completed Callum McGregor's pass.

Unfortunately, Scotland's move to the finals was delayed after Luka Jovic equalized just at the end of normal time by heading in a Filip Mladenovic corner to force the match into extra time.

Serbia came close to defeating Scotland in the ninth minute of the first extra half when Nemanja Gudelj fired a powerful shot but goalkeeper David Marshall made a fine save.

A 1-1 draw score that did not change until 120 minutes of the match forced the winner to be determined on penalties.

In the shootout, the first nine shooters from the two teams successfully netted the ball into the net, until finally it was Aleksandar Mitrovic's turn as Serbia's final executioner.

Marshall makes a brilliant save to stop Mitrovic's shot and seal Scotland's move to the Euro finals.

This success saw Scotland return to the Euro finals after last appearing at the tournament in 1996.

Scotland will be in Group D of Euro 2020 along with England, Croatia and the Czech Republic.

Andy Robertson cs will host the Czechs at Hampden Park on June 14, 2021, before traveling to England four days later and returning to their own headquarters to face Croatia on June 22.