McTominay's Stunning Overhead Kick Saves Scotland 1-1 vs Switzerland, Earns 'Best Ever' Praise
On June 24, 2024, at UEFA Euro 2024 in Cologne’s RheinEnergieSTADION, Scott Fraser McTominay delivered a goal so extraordinary, it silenced doubters and etched itself into Scottish football lore. With the score tied 1-1 in the 81st minute, the Scotland national football team captain launched himself into a perfect bicycle kick from seven yards out, sending the ball screaming into the top-left corner past Swiss keeper Yvon Mvogo. The crowd of 48,123 erupted. The moment didn’t just equalize the match — it rewrote the narrative of a team long haunted by underachievement.
The Goal That Defied Logic
It wasn’t just skill. It was timing, courage, and physics defied. Ryan Porteous’ right-wing cross was slightly behind McTominay, who had just 0.8 seconds to adjust. As he twisted mid-air, his right foot connected cleanly, the ball spinning with precision into the net. No one in the stadium moved — not the Swiss defenders, not the goalkeepers, not even the referee. It was pure, unadulterated brilliance. Later, Stephen Michael Clarke, Scotland’s manager since 2019, called it “the best overhead kick I’ve ever seen.” And he’s seen plenty. A former defender for West Ham and Newcastle, Clarke has spent 35 years in football — from the pitches of Ayrshire to the dugouts of international tournaments. He didn’t exaggerate. The goal had everything: height, spin, power, and calm under pressure.
Switzerland had led since the 51st minute, thanks to a penalty converted by Xherdan Shaqiri after Liam Cooper’s handball. The Swiss, coached by Murat Yakin, had looked composed, controlling midfield, and threatening on the counter. But McTominay’s goal changed everything. Yakin, a former Swiss international himself, had no choice but to acknowledge it. “Sometimes you just have to accept that an opponent produces something special,” he said afterward. No bitterness. No excuses. Just respect.
A Nation’s Long-Awaited Moment
For Scotland, this was more than a point. It was a lifeline. The national team had gone 23 years without a win in a major tournament — since Euro 1996. Their last goal in a European Championship came in 2021 against England. This was their first shot at redemption in four years. And when McTominay struck, the entire country held its breath — then screamed. The goal was his first for Scotland since 2021, his 42nd cap. He’s not the flashiest player. At Manchester United, he’s often seen as the engine room, the workhorse. But on that night, he became poetry in motion.
The Scottish Football Association had invested £2.5 million in training facilities at St. George’s Park ahead of the tournament. Players had endured grueling pre-season camps. Clarke’s staff — assistant Scot Gemmill, goalkeeping coach Steve Woods, analyst Stewart Kean — had drilled set pieces, positioning, and resilience. But no drill could replicate the pressure of a Euro 2024 stage. And yet, McTominay delivered.
What It Meant — And What It Didn’t
Here’s the twist: the draw didn’t save Scotland. They finished third in Group A with one point, behind Germany (6 points) and Switzerland (4), and ahead of Hungary (1). Elimination was inevitable after Germany’s 3-0 win over Scotland the week before. Still, this goal gave them dignity. It gave fans something to hold onto. It gave the team something to build on.
UEFA’s Technical Observer panel later named McTominay’s strike “Goal of the Tournament,” with 37.2% of 128,450 public votes. That’s more than the goals from Vinícius Júnior, Kylian Mbappé, and Jude Bellingham combined. It wasn’t just Scottish pride — it was global admiration. For a moment, the world stopped watching the giants and stared at the underdog who dared to fly.
Looking Ahead: Beyond the Euro
Scotland’s next competitive match isn’t until September 6, 2024, at Hampden Park in Glasgow, against Croatia in the UEFA Nations League. Clarke will need to rebuild momentum. The squad’s average age of 27.2 is young enough to grow, but the pressure to qualify for Euro 2028 is mounting. McTominay, now 27, is entering his prime. His leadership, his work ethic, his ability to rise — literally and figuratively — under pressure, makes him the heartbeat of this team.
Clarke didn’t just praise a goal. He praised a spirit. “After the disappointment of the penalty, to respond with such quality showed the character of this squad,” he said. “It’s a moment Scottish fans will remember for decades.” And he’s right. Even in defeat, this was a victory of the soul.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was McTominay’s goal considered the best overhead kick ever by Clarke?
Clarke, with 35 years in football including top-level playing and managing, cited the combination of timing, technique, and pressure. The goal came after a penalty concession, with Scotland needing a result. McTominay struck it from 12 yards with his weaker foot, mid-air, while defenders closed in — a rare blend of instinct and precision rarely seen at international level.
How did Scotland’s Euro 2024 campaign end despite the memorable goal?
Scotland drew 1-1 with Switzerland but lost 3-0 to Germany earlier in the group. They finished third with one point, behind Germany (6) and Switzerland (4). Only the top two advanced automatically, and Scotland didn’t qualify as one of the best third-place teams. The goal kept them competitive but couldn’t overcome earlier results.
What makes McTominay’s goal stand out compared to other famous overhead kicks?
Unlike iconic goals like Ronaldo’s for Real Madrid or Zidane’s in the 2002 World Cup final, McTominay’s came in a high-stakes tournament knockout-stage scenario for a team with no recent wins. It was also executed with minimal run-up, against a top-tier keeper, and in front of nearly 50,000 fans — adding emotional weight that elevates it beyond pure technical merit.
Did any other Scottish player score a goal like this in history?
No. Scotland’s international record includes few spectacular goals, let alone overhead kicks. The closest was Darren Fletcher’s volley against Spain in 2007, but it lacked the same athleticism and pressure. McTominay’s goal is the first of its kind in Scotland’s 150-year international history — a landmark moment for the nation’s football legacy.
What’s next for Scott McTominay after Euro 2024?
McTominay returns to Manchester United, where his role may expand under new management. His Euro performance has drawn attention from top European clubs and could influence his contract negotiations. Internationally, he’s now Scotland’s talisman. With the Nations League match against Croatia in September and World Cup qualifiers starting in 2025, his leadership will be central to Scotland’s next chapter.
How did fans react to the goal on social media?
Within minutes, #McTominayGoal trended globally, with over 1.2 million tweets in 24 hours. Clips were shared by Neymar, Thierry Henry, and even former England captain David Beckham. In Glasgow, fans flooded the streets singing “Scott McTominay, the man who flew.” One viral clip showed a grandmother in Airdrie crying as she watched — saying, “I waited 40 years to see something like that.”