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The qualification group phase for UEFA Euro 2024 could not have gone any better for Scotland so far. Steve Clarke’s side possess a perfect 100% winning record of four wins out of four, which was headlined by a now famous 2-0 home success over Spain in March.
The Tartan Army are also in illustrious company in terms of the footballing nations they head into this latest round of international fixture who have won all of their respective group matches in their quest to qualify for for next summer’s UEFA European Championship in Germany. Scotland sits alongside France, Portugal and arch-rivals England in possessing this particular statistic.
On the other hand, Cyprus hold the unwanted fact of losing all of their group clashes so far in qualification. They join Gibraltar, Malta, Latvia, San Marino and Liechtenstein in holding 100% losing records, and will aim to change that in this encounter versus Scotland.
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Cyprus vs Scotland head-to-head record
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To continue with the theme of 100% records where Scotland emerges victorious and Cyprus suffers defeat, that is exactly the case in this head-to-head battle.
All eight head-to-head clashes have seen Scotland earn the win, outscoring their opponents 26-6 in the process. The first meeting came all the way back in December 1968 when the Scots emerged with a comfortable 5-0 triumph in Nicosia. However, they would not go on to qualify for the 1970 World Cup, whereas to this day Cyprus have never reached a major international tournament.
Cyprus vs Scotland last four head-to-head record
Of the eight head-to-head games between these two nations, only four of those we could say have taken part in more recent times. The first four all took place between the 1965 and 1990, whilst the next four commenced from 2011 onwards.
Looking at those four, it all began with an international friendly win for Scotland in November, but only by a 2-1 score, which has been the exact end score in 50% of the overall head-to-head matches.
Prior to Scotland’s 3-0 success when meeting earlier in UEFA Euro 2024 qualification, where Manchester United’s Scott McTominay scored two of the goals, the two countries met in the UEFA Euro 2020 qualification group phase. Of course, Scotland won both of those renewals, again both by a 2-1 score.
The highlight of those two 2019 clashes was when Oliver Burke netted an 89th minute winner for Scotland in June 2019, this after Cyprus had equalised through Ioannis Kousoulos two minutes beforehand. Neutral fans watching the latest meeting would relish another blockbuster finish such as this!
Cyprus vs Scotland – What to expect
The two teams will face-off on Friday 8th September at AEK Arena – Georgios Karapatakis in Larnaca and the general expectation is that Scotland will again emerge with yet another win in this head-to-head rivalry. Not only that, it would extend their 100% run of results in Group A, and maintain their healthy lead at the top of the standings.
Cyprus did record a surprise 1-0 home win over Greece last year in UEFA Nations League action, when they were too heavy underdogs on that occasion, just like they are here. However, the form guide suggests there is likely to be only one winner this weekend, but Cyprus are still only four-points behind second place in this group, so there is still plenty to play for.
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