Scotland take on France in a friendly in Lille knowing they are going to Germany next summer.
Steve Clarke’s men qualified for their second successive Euros on Sunday night when Norway were defeated by Spain in Oslo.
Here, the PA news agency looks at some of the talking points around the match in the Stade Pierre-Mauroy.
Approach to a friendly matchGiven that Scotland have qualified for Germany next summer, Clarke will reshuffle his pack. However, after five straight wins in the qualifiers, the Scots have lost their last two matches, 2-0 to Spain in Seville and 3-1 to England at Hampden in the 150th anniversary heritage match. Scotland have dropped behind Spain on goal difference but finishing top is still an ambition and he will not want to go into next month’s double-header against Georgia and Norway on the back of three defeats.
The goalkeeper situationNorwich City’s Angus Gunn has established himself as number one following the injury to Craig Gordon. The other two keepers in the squad, Motherwell’s Liam Kelly and Zander Clark of Hearts, have yet to make an appearance. This is a good opportunity to ensure one or both get some game time before going to Germany next summer. Will Clarke take it?
Full-back fall-outCaptain Andy Robertson picked up a shoulder injury against Spain and has gone back to Liverpool to get it assessed. Celtic’s Greg Taylor is a reliable replacement but when Robertson went off in Seville, Clarke moved right-back Aaron Hickey across to the other side of the pitch – where he was equally impressive notwithstanding his slip for Spain’s second goal – and brought on Nathan Patterson at right-back. Hickey has been withdrawn and 19-year-old Max Johnston has been called up for the first time. Taylor will take over from Robertson but Johnston may get some game time.
Midfield is Scotland’s strongest areaCallum McGregor, John McGinn, and Scott McTominay have cemented their places in midfield. However, Clarke has several options should he wish to give any of them a rest against France. Stuart Armstrong and Kenny McLean are experienced campaigners, while Billy Gilmour is the next generation along with Lewis Ferguson, who has impressed at Bologna. All four will be chomping at the bit to catch Clarke’s eye before the squad is picked for Germany.
Main strikerClarke has tended to alternate between Che Adams and Lyndon Dykes for the main striker’s role. The latter got the nod against Spain in Seville and ran himself into the ground without getting any joy in terms of chances before being replaced by Adams, who missed a good opportunity to score. However, the Southampton player could get his chance from the start against Lille.
'More in than out' – Slot insists Liverpool star Salah not distracted by contract row
Liverpool boss Arne Slot does not believe Mohamed Salah has been distracted by his lack of a contract offer, after the Egyptian declared he was likely to leave the club.
After scoring twice to fire Liverpool to a 3-2 Premier League victory over Southampton on Sunday, Salah made headlines with comments about his future in the mixed zone.
Salah, who is out of contract at the end of the season, said he was "more out than in" due to Liverpool's failure to offer him new terms.
Salah's comments come at a key time for Liverpool, who face Real Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday before taking on Manchester City in the league on Sunday – a win in that latter match would take them 11 points clear of Pep Guardiola's stuttering champions.
Speaking at Tuesday's pre-match press conference, however, Slot insisted Salah maintains the same laser focus as always.
"The only thing I can say is, when I look at my lineups, Mo is more in than out. That quote I can give you," Slot said.
"He is not distracted at all. I haven't seen it after the Manchester United game when he made comments. I didn't see anything today, he is fully focused on the game tomorrow.
"If you had been at the training ground today, no one spoke about it at least when I was there. Players are also focused on the short term. That is Real Madrid and City.
"I don't think there is any distraction for him, the players and definitely not for me."
Salah has scored 12 goals and provided 10 assists in 18 games across all competitions this season. Both of those are team-high figures, while he also leads all his Liverpool team-mates for chances created (32), shots (55) and shots on target (32).
Former Reds defender Jamie Carragher responded to Salah's comments on his contract by describing the winger as "selfish" on Sky Sports' Monday Night Football, but Slot preferred to focus on Salah's ability rather than be drawn into that debate.
"I focus a bit more on what else Jamie said," said Slot when asked about Carragher's comments.
"He said Mo is one of the five best players we ever had at this club. I agree with him. I don't think it distracts Mo. My main focus is the next game. We have another big game coming up after that.
"I talked to Mo about what I expect from him, like I do with all the other players. I am not distracted at all by his comments and I do not feel his team-mates are as well."
USWNT goalkeeper Naeher to retire from international football
United States goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher is to retire from international football next month.
Naeher has won 113 caps for the USWNT and was a regular between the sticks during their most recent World Cup-winning campaign in 2019, also starting for Emma Hayes' Olympic Gold medallists in Paris earlier this year.
The 36-year-old, who has represented the Chicago Red Stars in the NWSL since 2016, will link up with Hayes' side for their upcoming friendlies against England and the Netherlands, but that will be the final camp she attends.
Naeher said in a statement posted to her Instagram account: "With immense gratitude and very thoughtful consideration, I have decided to retire from the international game.
"Having the opportunity to be a part of the USWNT for the past 15 years has been the greatest honour.
"This has been a special team to be a part of and I am beyond proud of what we have achieved both on and off the field. The memories I have made over the years will last me a lifetime.
"I know one chapter is ending, but I am so excited to continue to see the growth of this team going forward and what more they can accomplish."
Hope Solo (202) and Briana Scurry (175) are the only goalkeepers to make more appearances for the team than Naeher, who made her debut versus Argentina in December 2014.
Mbappe position switch works wonders for Ancelotti
Carlo Ancelotti was satisfied his tactical decision to switch Kylian Mbappe's position in attack paid off in Real Madrid's 3-0 win over Leganes.
Mbappe scored his seventh goal of the season to help Madrid to a comfortable victory in LaLiga on Sunday.
However, his position in Madrid's front line has been a topic of debate since he joined the Spanish champions, with Mbappe having often played out wide while at Paris Saint-Germain.
And Ancelotti elected to switch Mbappe out to the left flank against Leganes, with Vinicius Junior spearheading Los Blancos' attack.
"Mbappe played on the left side, where he did well, and Vinicius on the inside," Ancelotti told reporters.
"We have to highlight their play to open the scoring. They did very, very well. Mbappe scored, after a fantastic assist from Vinicius. Little by little, they're both improving.
"Kylian is more used to playing there and today, for the team and for him, it was the best thing.
"Because playing on the outside brings more effort and Vinicius was back on Thursday. Meanwhile, Kylian had been training here for a week and a half, he was fresher."
Mbappe was not called up by France coach Didier Deschamps for this month's Nations League games, despite being Les Bleus' captain.
With an injury crisis at the back and a trip to Anfield to face Premier League and Champions League leaders Liverpool coming up, Ancelotti added he was hopeful of Lucas Vazquez, who has a hamstring strain, and Aurelien Tchouameni, who is recovering from a sprained left ankle, returning to action.
He was also upbeat about the contribution of Federico Valverde, who scored from a free-kick while filling in at right-back.
"The truth is that Fede, at the back, has done very well," said Ancelotti of the Uruguayan, who also wore the captain's armband.
"He's a fantastic fullback. After Dani Carvajal and Lucas Vazquez, the best right-back in the world. His problem is that he can play at this level in many positions and is the coach's problem to choose the best position for the team.
"Let's see if Lucas and Tchouameni can recover. If not, we will make decisions."
Jude Bellingham netted Madrid's other goal as Ancelotti's team closed to within four points of LaLiga leaders Barcelona, who drew 2-2 with Celta Vigo on Saturday.
Madrid also have a game in hand on Hansi Flick's side.
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