Pat Nevin lauded one Manchester City player for the heroics he produced in one particular moment at Euro 2024 on Wednesday.
Much like Mateo Kovacic and Josko Gvardiol’s Croatian side drew 2-2 to Albania, Manuel Akanji’s Switzerland team also drew 1-1 to Scotland.
The Swiss were the favourites to defeat the Scots, coming off the back of an impressive 3-1 win against Hungary. However, Akanji and Co. shared the spoils with Steve Clarke’s side. With four points gained in their two games, they seem set to qualify for the Round of 16.
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Pat Nevin left blown away by what Manuel Akanji did during Switzerland vs Scotland
Scott McTominay opened the scoring for Scotland, sending the Tartan Army into a frenzy at Stadion Cologne.
However, Xherdan Shaqiri equalised in box-office fashion by dispatching yet another stunner of a strike at the international stage.
In around the 91 minute mark, Scotland skipper Andy Robertson headed the ball for a teammate to score a tap-in before Manuel Akanji came to the rescue by clearing the ball out of danger; a piece of defending Pat Nevin praised.
Nevin said via BBC Sport: “Absolutely world-class defending from Manuel Akanji.”
“He knows there will be a player ready for the tap in behind him.”
Manuel Akanji had a remarkable game
As Pat Nevin stated, Akanji produced a world-class moment of last-ditch defending that saved his team’s blushes.
If not for the £15 million man’s clearance, Scott McTominay seemed set to tap home a potential winning goal for Scotland.
The Manchester United midfielder was positioned right behind the Manchester City centre-back.
Aside from that tremendous moment as well, Akanji had a terrific game as well, displaying his enviable passing range while making crucial challenges, whether that be out wide or inside the box — amidst the chaos of the contest against Scotland.
Akanji is well and truly a calm head at the back for both club and country and he will have to sustain his brilliance for Switzerland to go as far as they can at the ongoing European Championship.