Scotland delivered a confident and commanding performance to secure a 4-0 victory over Liechtenstein in a friendly match held at the Rheinpark Stadion in Vaduz on Monday, June 9, 2025. This win provided a much-needed morale boost following their recent 3-1 home defeat to Iceland and marked a positive step forward as the team prepares for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
The standout star of the evening was Che Adams, who ended a year-long international goal drought by netting a spectacular hat-trick. Adams opened the scoring just four minutes into the match, capitalizing on a loose ball after teammate Lennon Miller’s initial shot was blocked. The Torino striker then doubled Scotland’s advantage in the 26th minute, benefiting from Miller’s high pressing that forced a defensive error, allowing Adams to roll past the goalkeeper with a low finish.
George Hirst, the Ipswich Town striker, added his name to the scoresheet with his first international goal three minutes into the second half. Hirst’s goal came after a sustained Scotland attack, where Anthony Ralston’s cross was flicked on by Adams, setting up Hirst to volley home at the back post. The night was capped off with Adams completing his hat-trick in injury time, nodding in a near-post cross from substitute Tommy Conway, much to the delight of the traveling Tartan Army.
Head coach Steve Clarke made six changes from the side that lost to Iceland two days earlier, including enforced absences due to injury to key players such as Angus Gunn, Scott McTominay, and Kieran Tierney. Clarke’s tactical switch back to a 4-4-2 formation from the five-man defense used against Iceland appeared to suit the squad well against the low-ranked Liechtenstein side.
In goal, Ross Doohan made his Scotland debut after being called up amid a goalkeeping injury crisis. The Celtic-bound keeper had a quiet night, facing no shots on target, but his composed presence provided reassurance following Cieran Slicker’s difficult debut against Iceland. Teenage midfielder Lennon Miller, making his first international start at just 18 years old, impressed throughout the match. Miller’s energetic pressing and intelligent passing were instrumental in the build-up to both of Adams’ first-half goals, showcasing his potential as a future mainstay in the Scotland midfield.
Additional debuts were awarded to Josh Doig, Andy Irving, Connor Barron, and Kieron Bowie, all of whom came on as substitutes in the second half. Doig, in particular, made positive forward runs and tested the opposition goalkeeper, hinting at a promising international career ahead. Clarke’s willingness to blood new talent alongside established players reflects his strategy to build depth and resilience within the squad ahead of the crucial World Cup qualifying campaign.
Despite the comfortable scoreline, Clarke remained measured in his post-match assessment. Speaking to BBC Sport, he acknowledged that the camp was "still disappointing" due to the earlier defeat to Iceland but praised the team’s resilience and professionalism against Liechtenstein. Clarke said, "There's not really a feel-good factor because it's still a disappointing camp. We didn't play as we can play at Hampden, so I'm certainly going to carry that on into September. There was hurt and anger in the dressing room and hopefully we can harness that and take that into the autumn games."
Che Adams also reflected on his personal performance and the team’s mindset, stating, "I'm happy to get on the scoresheet and help the team. It's nice to score for Scotland, it's not happened much since I've been here. We knew it'd be difficult, the conditions weren't great, but we were very professional and our mentality was spot on. It was important to sign off this year with the win. We're happy we put things right from the Iceland game." His hat-trick was Scotland’s first by a striker since John McGinn’s treble against San Marino in 2019, a milestone that underlines the importance of Adams’ contribution.
The match also highlighted some encouraging statistics for Scotland. The team maintained control throughout, facing no shots on target and dominating possession. This was only their second visit to Liechtenstein, with previous encounters including Euro 2012 qualifiers where Scotland emerged victorious. The lowly-ranked hosts, placed 205th in the FIFA rankings, were unable to offer significant resistance, continuing a long winless streak at home against higher-ranked nations.
Looking ahead, Scotland’s focus swiftly turns to the World Cup 2026 European qualifiers. The campaign kicks off with away fixtures against Denmark and Belarus in September, followed by home matches against Greece and Belarus in October, and concluding with further away and home games against Greece and Denmark in November. These fixtures promise a much sterner test for Clarke’s side, requiring the team to build on the positives from the Liechtenstein victory while addressing the shortcomings exposed in recent defeats.
Scotland’s squad will now enjoy a break before the qualifiers commence, with the coaching staff keen to refine tactics and integrate emerging talents like Lennon Miller into the setup. Clarke’s experience and tactical flexibility will be crucial as the team seeks to navigate a challenging qualification group and restore confidence among supporters.
In summary, Scotland’s 4-0 triumph over Liechtenstein was a welcome respite from recent disappointments, highlighted by Che Adams’ clinical finishing and the promising emergence of young players. While the opposition provided limited challenge, the victory serves as a valuable confidence booster and a foundation to build upon as Scotland prepares for the rigors of World Cup qualification later this year.
