Scotland are Paris 2011 Homeless World Cup Champions!
A single goal separates Scotland and Mexico as the Scots win the Homeless World Cup for the second time.
Paris 2011 Homeless World Cup Champions: SCOTLAND!
Photo by (C) Esme Deacon
Scotland, Champion Paris 2011 Homeless World Cup
Photo by Esme Deacon
Paris 2011 Homeless World Cup Champions: Scotland!
Photo by Esme Deacon
Paris 2011 Homeless World Cup Champions: Scotland!
Photo by Esme Deacon
Paris 2011 Homeless World Cup Champions: Scotland!
Photo by Esme DeaconHomeless World Cup Final - SCOTLAND 4 : 3 MEXICO
An electric atmosphere at the Stade de Liberte saw the players take to the pitch to be welcomed by a wall of noise and a sea of colour in the stands.
Match referee Hary Milas opened proceedings and within seconds Scotland's Sean Lawrence had forced a fine save from the Mexico goalkeeper.
Both sides were making chances but it was Scotland who drew first blood when William Hamilton slotted home.
Luis Fernando Sosa Cortez made another fine save at the feet of Lawrence to keep Mexico in it before a low drive from Morales Montiel made the score 1-1.
Mexico started to boss proceedings and only a fine double save from William Lawrence prevented them from taking the lead. However it was Scotland who took the initiative when Sean Lawrence's deflected effort foxed the 'keeper to make it 2-1.
A low drive from Mexico's Juan Jose Torres Mendoza made it 2-2 before the break as space became increasingly difficult to find.
Half Time: SCOTLAND 2 : 2 MEXICO
Scotland enjoyed plenty of possesion in the opening stages of the second period but it was Mexico who came closest as a thunderous volley rattled the underside of the crossbar before Will Lawrence made an unbelievable save low to his right.
Two quick fire goals from Hamilton saw him seal his hatrick and Scotland take advantage of Mexico's willingness to get forward. This gave the Scots a 4-2 lead going into the final minutes.
Matt Ramsay saw a dipping drive clip the post for Scotland and Rafael Rosas Avila shot just over as the game opened up and Mexico pushed for an equaliser, Rab Hare and Barry Gannon both having to make last ditch blocks to preserve the lead.
Attempting to take the sting from the game Scotland began to keep possesion and became more measured in their play, but Mexico forced the issue with a superb rasping volley from Perez Vasquez which made it 4-3 with only seconds to go.
As a frenetic capacity crowd roared the final whistle was blown and Scotland were Homeless World Cup champions for the second time!
Final Score: SCOTLAND 4 : 3 MEXICO
It wasn,t mclean that score the 1st goals for scotland it was william hamilton the write up is wrong.
Congratulations to everyone who took part... it has been a joy to follow :) And Scotland i am proud of you!
Well done Rab :D me n Ryans so proud of u mate! n the rest ae the boys!! :D what a result.
well done William just spoke to Karen there, proud of ye mate, well done to rest of the boys too :-)
So proud. Thank you to all involved in this.