Scotland 2-1 Iceland

Opponents > Iceland > Scotland 2-1 Iceland, 2009

The big news that broke on the day of the Iceland match was that both Barry Ferguson and Allan McGregor were being dropped. This was because they stayed out late drinking after the Holland match. The positive news was that Stephen McManus was fit enough to play, and he was given the captain's armband. Craig Gordon was also recalled.

Early in the game, Scotland had the lion's share of the possession but had no great chances to take the lead. After 39 minutes Scotland took a deserved lead. Alan Hutton went on a run down the right wing, before he put in a low ball across the penalty area, which was dummied by Steven Fletcher. Ross McCormack collected the ball and hit a high shot past the keeper. Nine minutes into the second half, the visitors silenced the Hampden crowd when they equalised. Palmason beat McManus in defence, before unleashing a powerful shot that rebounded off Gordon's right hand post. Sigurdsson was on hand to volley the rebound past Gordon to level the scores. Eleven minutes later Scotland regained their lead. A corner from McCormack was headed back into the penalty area by McManus, to be met by the head of Steven Fletcher to power home a header for his first international goal. Scotland had a couple of scares late on. Firstly Gary Naysmith had to make a clearing header off the line, and then in the final minute Craig Gordon made a double save from Jonsson and Hreidarsson before Palmason hit the loose ball over the bar. Scotland held on though to gain a vital three points and give George Burley only his second win.