Analysis:Third-place lifeline keeps Swiss and Scots dreaming

COLOGNE, Germany : The Euro 2024 format which allows four third-placed teams to progress is often criticised but Scotland and Switzerland will be grateful for that option after a 1-1 draw on Wednesday that left both well in the hunt going into their final group games.

Switzerland, who beat Hungary in their opener, are almost certain to progress with four points in the bag, though with their last game against already-through Germany, it could well be as a third-placed team.

Scotland, who have never gone beyond the group stage in 11 previous major championships, now have a glorious opportunity to end the drought by beating Hungary in their final game.

Hungary, after two defeats, could still snatch a spot as teams routinely advance with three points, but the Scots would surely have taken that scenario had they been offered it and certainly would have as they trooped off after barely throwing a punch in their 5-1 drubbing by Germany.

Scotland's repeated failures on the big stage are scarcely believable – eight World Cups and now four Euros where they have managed a total of six wins from 34 matches. Their only Euro victories have come against CIS (Russia) in 1992 and Switzerland in 1996.

They might consider themselves unlucky not to have made it three in Cologne, having taken an early lead via a deflected Scott McTominay shot.

Switzerland were worth their spectacular long-range equaliser by Xherdan Shaqiri but the Scots showed remarkable commitment, hitting the post and having another shot cleared off the line in a series of late attacks.

MAGNIFICENT FANS

Their magnificent fans roared them to the line, recognising the effort, even if the technique was a notch below some of the bigger teams in the tournament.

So used to gallant