Scotland Under-21s post record win with astonishing thrashing as Man City starlet nets four in Euro qualifier

Scot Gemmill’s youngsters mercilessly put their hapless visitors to the sword at Dens Park, with the hosts seven goals to the good by the 33rd minute. Manchester City midfielder Emilio Lawrence ended up with four goals to his name, while Hearts striker James Wilson also bagged a hat-trick.

While Gibraltar are one of the weakest U-21 side in the qualifiers, this was an extraordinary result by Scotland’s standards, hitting double figures for the first time in a competitive match. The scoreline eclipsed a 7-0 Euros qualifier win away to San Marino five years ago in which Fraser Hornby bagged a hat-trick and came close to the all-time U-21 Euros qualifying highest win, which was recorded by Spain in 2005 when they routed San Marino 14-0 at home.

It was also the young Scots’ first positive result of the qualification campaign, coming off the back of a 2-0 defeat in the Czech Republic and a 2-1 reversal by Portugal at Fir Park last month. After three matches, Scotland sit fourth in the six-team table on three points.

In the first meeting between the two countries at under-21 level, Scotland showed they meant business right from the off, with Lawrence opening the scoring after three minutes. They then racked up a remarkable six strikes between 22 and 33 minutes, with Dire Mebude, Wilson (2), Kyle Ure, Lawrence again and a Kevan Gonzalez own goal making it 7-0.

Gibraltar managed to stagger into the break with no more concessions, but Wilson completed his hat-trick on 48 minutes and then Lawrence added two more by the hour mark.

Miller Thomson got in on the act on 75 minutes and Jeremiah Chilokoa-Mullen netted eight minutes later as Scotland strived to finish on a strong note, but that was to be the end of the scoring.

Scotland head to Azerbaijan next on Tuesday evening before facing Gibraltar away and then Bulgaria at home in November.

The top side in the group qualifies directly for the tournament in 2027, which is being held in Albania and Serbia, while the second-placed team has a chance of being involved in the play-offs.