THE strike might not go down in Scottish football folklore in quite the same way.
There might not have been 42,000 fans inside the stadium to see it.
But Oli Burke’s first half goal fired the country to the first win over France since James McFadden’s stunning strike in the Parc des Princes.
A year on from guiding Scotland to their only ever triumph over Brazil at any level, Scot Gemmill oversaw another famous victory.
With the same Romanian officials in charge as that historic victory against the South Americans, Scotland took the lead through Burke’s low drive in a first half they bossed.
Then they turned in a brilliant team performance to hold onto it after the break to produce a result they’d not tasted since that incredible, dramatic night in Paris nearly 11 years ago.
On top of that they finished with not one but two 16-year-olds on the pitch.
Islam Feruz remains the Under-21s’ youngest ever player but it was still incredible to think Billy Gilmour was 12 days short of his 17th birthday as he lined up against the hosts.
JOHN’S GONE JT leaves Aston Villa as cost-cutting begins
Hearts defender Chris Hamilton was even younger when he stepped off the bench with a few minutes to go.
After speaking with so much humility and maturity 24 hours earlier, all eyes were on how Chelsea starlet Gilmour would cope with the physical prowess in the French ranks.
LATEST FOOTBALL NEWS
But as with most things the kid does, there was little to worry about.
There was one exquisite turn and pass forwards before the break and he kept up with the pace as the hosts inevitably grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck in the second half.
But Scotland didn’t just head in at the break a goal to the good thanks to Burke’s goal. They had kept the ball impressively and more than held their own.
This had been the venue where Scotland opened last year’s tournament by losing to the Czech Republic before they bounced back to finish third.
Gemmill had promised a similar reaction after Sunday’s disappointing 1-1 draw with Togo, who had beaten South Korea to top Group B immediately before this clash.
Boy, didn’t he get one.
The French – who had opened with a 4-1 win over South Korea – had brought an Under-20s team to the tournament.
But it was Scotland who started on the front foot with skipper Burke at the heart of most of attacks.
Moments in he flashed a cross across the face of goal but there was no-one there to meet it.
Then, with a brilliant piece of skill, he took the ball down and volleyed goalwards only to see it fly just over.
Why he didn’t at least test the keeper with a shot soon after only he will know.
After bursting down the right he opted to square in Fraser Hornby’s direction instead of taking it on himself, but his ball was well behind Everton kid Hornby and the chance was gone.
So when he found himself in a similar position in the 35th minute he knew exactly what he had to do.
Robby McCrorie’s goal-kick was flicked on by Hornby, leaving Burke to latch onto the loose ball.
After getting the better of Harold Moukoudi Burke’s low drive was only helped on its way into the net by keeper Dimitry Bertaud.
It was a lead Scotland had worked hard for – and would be one they’d have to defend with their lives.
The longer the second half went the deeper they dropped, inviting France onto them.
McCrorie hadn’t had a save to make all game but he had to use every inch of his reach to brilliantly push away Wilfried Kanga’s towering header.
Moments later Jason Kerr got a touch to a cross then watched on helplessly as it dropped just over his own bar.
It was backs to the wall stuff as they found themselves penned in and unable to keep the ball when they got it.
But Daniel Harvie and Hamilton were sent on to plug the holes and they held on to move joint level with Togo.
Sunday’s clash with South Korea – and Togo’s result against France – will now determine whether they make it to the semis for the second successive year.
Leave a comment