Wright inspires Scotland to Germany success

Scott Wright got the only goal of the game as Scotland defeated Germany to go second in Group B and ensure that a draw in their final match will secure a semi-final berth.

With both teams winless after their opening fixtures, Wright headed the clincher in the 41st minute to move the Scots behind already qualified Portugal and two points clear of Germany and Switzerland. A point against Switzerland on Thursday will take Scotland into the last four, while Germany must beat the Portuguese and hope the Swiss overcome Scot Gemmill's men if their hopes are to remain alive.

After conceding twice in their curtain-raiser against Portugal, Scotland were once again under pressure in the opening quarter. Benjamin Henrichs just failed to connect with a teasing cross before Germany's captain saw his shot excellently blocked by Cameron Ballantye. Max Besuschkow was then unable to cleanly execute a volley from the edge of the area, before Scotland keeper Robby McCrorie punched clear off the forehead of the No10 who seemed destined to head the breakthrough.

Scotland withstood the onslaught and the best chance of the first period fell to them when Wright ghosted into the box to meet Jake Sheppard's cross from the right flank, only to nod wide from five metres.

That should have served as warning to Christian Wück's side, but they failed to heed it and 15 seconds after the restart Wright got on the end of Calvin Miller's centre from the left, squeezing in a header at the back post past the despairing Timo Königsmann. The Germans responded as Arianit Ferati lofted an effort just over and McCrorie raced from his line to repel Henrichs with the No8 bursting through the centre. Substitute Allessandro Fiore-Tapia crashed a header against the crossbar before his free-kick was tipped onto the post by the Scotland keeper, who made sure his team clung on.