In September 2007, during Scotland's dramatic but ultimately unsuccessful qualifying campaign for UEFA Euro 2008, McFadden scored a long-range goal from 30 yards to secure a famous 1–0 win over France in Paris, securing Scotland's first win on French soil since 1950. He was on target again in the following game a month later, a 3–1 win over Ukraine at Hampden Park. He was unable to score in the last match of the campaign against Italy in November 2007 at Hampden, which Scotland lost 2–1.