Liechtenstein 0-1 Scotland

Opponents > Liechtenstein > Liechtenstein 0-1 Scotland, 2011

In the build up to the double header against Liechtenstein and Spain, the big talking point was whether Kenny Miller and Darren Fletcher would take part. Miller picked up a thigh injury playing for Cardiff while Fletcher was suffering from tonsilitis. Both travelled but Miller was ruled out while Fletcher was given the green light. The night before, Spain did a big favour for Scotland by defeating the Czechs 2-0 in Prague, meaning a victory for Scotland would put them in second place.

After only five minutes, Scotland had a shout for a penalty when Mackail-Smith was pushed in the box, but the ref waved play on. Five minutes later Scotland came close when Naismith headed an Adam free-kick just past the post. McGregor was then called into action when he made a great save from a long range shot. In the next five minutes Scotland had three chances to take the lead, first a Naismith header from close range, followed by Naismith rounding the keeper but putting it wide, and then Bannan shot just past the post. Just after the half hour mark, all of Scotland's pressure payed off when they took the lead. Bardsley floated the ball into the box for Craig Mackail-Smith to head over the keeper, who was caught off his line, and into the net. In the second half, Bardsley came close when he headed just over the bar and Mackail-Smith had a low shot saved. With less than two minutes left on the clock, the Liechtenstein keeper pulled off a great save from a Naismith header to put it behind for a corner. From the resulting corner the keeper made another great save from a Berra downward header to keep the score at 1-0, which flattered Liechtenstein and kept Scotland's qualification hopes alive.