Scotland have confirmed that they will face World Cup finalists France in their final friendly fixture of 2023 on Tuesday, 17 October. The match will take place at Decathlon Arena in Lille, five days after Scotland’s Euro 2024 qualifier against Spain. Steve Clarke’s side are currently unbeaten in six competitive fixtures and sit top of Group A after two games.
France, who are currently ranked second in the world, have won both their Group B qualifiers since losing the World Cup final to Argentina on penalties. Didier Deschamps’ side thumped the Netherlands 4-0 in Paris before edging Republic of Ireland 1-0 in Dublin and will take on Scotland four days after the return against the Dutch in Amsterdam.
The match will rekindle memories of Scotland’s famous double over France during the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign. Gary Caldwell stabbed home to earn a 1-0 victory at Hampden Park in 2006 before an iconic 35-yard strike from James McFadden secured a famous victory for Scotland in the Parc des Princes the following year. Overall, Scotland have won eight and lost eight of the meetings between the sides, the French triumphing with a 3-0 home victory in the most recent contest in a 2016 friendly.