SCOTLAND will face Israel in March’s Euro 2020 play-off semi-final.
Friday’s draw chose which of four potential opponents Steve Clarke’s side would face when they attempt to qualify for next summer’s tournament.
Scotland beat Israel in Glasgow to win their Nations League groupCredit: Kenny Ramsay – The Sun Glasgow
However Scotland will have to go away from home to reach Euro 2020 as Norway or Serbia were chosen as the play-off final host on their path.
Israel pose a tough task for the Scots with freescoring striker Eran Zahavi netting 11 goals as they finished fifth in Group G.
A home win over Austria counted as Andi Herzog’s side’s best result alongside a double over Latvia and last minute loss at Slovenia.
They also claimed a 2-1 win over Scotland in last year’s Nations League but James Forrest hit a stunning hat-trick to secure a 3-2 reversal at Hampden last November.
But beating Israel will set Clarke’s 53rd-ranked side on a collision course with two theoretically stronger outfits.
Norway went unbeaten at home during their Euro 2020 qualifiers, including draws with Spain and Sweden, while Serbia are ranked 20 places higher than the Scots in FIFA’s current leaderboard.
ALL-IRISH FINAL
There are four different play-off paths formulated from the Nations League.
Path B will see Slovakia host Republic of Ireland and Bosnia-Herzegovina welcoming Northern Ireland to Sarajevo – as we knew before Friday’s draw.
UEFA confirmed at lunchtime that the winner of Northern Ireland’s semi-final will host the showdown to reach Euro 2020, meaning a potential trip to Belfast for Mick McCarthy’s Republic.
The biggest unknown was how Path A would be set up, given only Iceland of the highest ranked sides didn’t automatically qualify.
They will host Romania before the winner travels to face either Hungary or Bulgaria in that play-off final.
In Path D, the draw handed home advantage to whoever comes out on top in Georgia versus Belarus, who will take on either Kosovo or North Macedonia.
All semi-finals take place on Thursday, March 26 with the finals on Tuesday, March 31.
Also drawn was the home team for when host nation pair Denmark face Russia in Group B next summer, the honour going to Copenhagen.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
