Highlights: Scotland 0-3 Switzerland

At a glance

  • Pocognoli's Hampden debut off to nightmare start as Hendry sent off after 11 minutes with Rodriguez scoring resulting free-kick

  • Second-half finishes from Elvedi & Amdouni help classy Swiss to win

  • Scotland head coach's wait for first win goes into third game against North Macedonia on Saturday

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland at Hampden

Sebastien Pocognoli's Hampden debut flipped swiftly from special to sour as 10-man Scotland were outclassed by Switzerland in the Nations League.

The head coach, who started his reign with a goalless draw in Slovenia on Saturday, was hoping for "fire" in Mount Florida. Instead, though, he witnessed a cold, cruel lesson from major tournament-regulars Switzerland after a nightmarish start.

Dan Ndoye streaked away from Jack Hendry and the centre-back shoved the Nottingham Forest foward as he bore down on Angus Gunn.

Initially, referee Nenad Minakovic pointed to the spot and flashed a yellow card. But, after a lengthy VAR check, both decisions were changed as a free-kick was awarded instead and Hendry's yellow upgraded to a red.

That was bad, but it got even worse. From the free-kick, veteran full-back Ricardo Rodriguez rocketed past Gunn to open the scoring.

Double whammy for Scotland

Striker Kieron Bowie was sacrificed for defender Stephen Welsh - left out initially in favour of debutant Luis Binks - as Pocognoli was forced to tweak his plan.

But the Scots didn't buckle, showing organisation and the ability to stifle - and occassionally rattle - the Swiss - who were without Granit Xhaka and Breel Embolo - in the remainder of the half.

However, Pocognoli's side - who remain on one point and in third place in Group B1 - were all too easily cut through as Ndoye's neat cross was cutely converted by Leeds United defender Nico Elvedi 10 minutes into the second half.

From there, the game became a non-event. By the time Zeki Amdouni arrowed in the visitors' third, swathes of Scotland supporters had already headed for the exit.

They'll be back next Tuesday as the Scots host Slovenia, but first they travel to Skopje on Saturday to take on North Macedonia as Pocongoli's aims for third time lucky for his first win - and goal - live on BBC.

Table

Scotland analysis: Red card skews outcome

Pocognoli's first game was all about the reaction after a slow start. His second was the same, but for very different reasons.

It's difficult to judge his Hampden bow, with the outlook skewed by that early dismissal for Hendry. The Al-Ettifaq centre-back was a bit careless in Ljubljana and could have no complaints with his red for a clumsy foul which cost his team.

In times gone by, such a mess might have resulted in a ripping up off the blueprint and shutting up shop. But that wasn't the case here.

Oli McBurnie might still be searching for his first international goal - 18 games in - but his work-rate cannot be criticised as he chased every cause and flicked on everything he could.

If any supporters harboured doubts of the Hull City forward's commitment to his country, his first two outings in five years have squashed such concerns.

Despite the numerical disadvantage, the Scots stuck to their attacking-minded approach when they could and Pocognoli doubled-down on his principles by bringing on Ben Gannon-Doak, Ryan Christie and Robbie Ure with an hour gone.

The way they competed with their classy visitors will leave many wishing for what might of been, had they maintained their full quota.

This could have got very ugly, very quickly. But it didn't. Well, not quite...

Elvedi adds second for Switzerland

What they said

Scotland head coach Sebastien Pocognoli: "They worked with 10 men for 80 minutes, they showed great character to stick together for that time. Hopefully we will remember this night differently later on.

"I'm proud because you can collapse in that moment and maybe lose two or three more goals. because they are a team that don't give the ball away cheaply. We didn't have a lot of set pieces to maybe have a bit of luck."

'Players showed great character'

Scotland captain Andy Robertson: "It was incredibly hard with 11 men on the pitch, it was even harder with 10. We hardly touched the ball second half, but it didn't stop the lads fighting for each other.

"Football is about split second decisions, Jack Hendry has tried to nick the ball. As soon as the referee said it was outside the box I thought we would have been better taking the penalty and the yellow card.

"It's a difficult night but we won't try and let it get in the way of our process. We've got a new manager and a new squad so we have to try to stay positive. Going into the next game we have to try to forget about it."

'Red card killed us' says Robertson

Scotland midfielder John McGinn: "We could have done better at times but we're starting a new chapter, learning to play a different way.

"That was a big setback for us. We've got a lot to learn from tonight but a lot to take from it as well.

"I thought Oli McBurnie was outstanding. He's had a lot of criticism in a Scotland shirt but tonight was a thankless task and he gave everything for us.

"Going down to 10 men, it's a test of character, you need to dig in. It's a huge learning curve for us and when we play them away we need to win now."

Should Gunn have saved this?

Player of the match

N. Elvedi
7.03
9 O. McBurnie
5.84
8 B. Gilmour
5.15
19 L. Ferguson
4.70
4 L. Binks
4.58
5 S. Welsh
4.40
3 A. Robertson
4.38
16 S. McKenna
4.13
7 J. McGinn
4.13
17 B. Gannon-Doak
4.10
22 N. Patterson
3.88
10 R. Ure
3.80
20 K. Bowie
3.80
6 J. Doig
3.75
1 A. Gunn
3.64
11 R. Christie
3.56
13 J. Hendry
1.89
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