Scotland fall to Croatia defeat after extra late heartbreak in Nations League
Scotland’s winless run in competitive games grew to nine games as Steve Clarke’s side fell to defeat to Croatia in Zagreb after Che Adams saw a last-minute equaliser ruled out by VAR.
The visitors thought they had secured their first Nations League point of the campaign after Adams helped scramble in an equaliser in the 95th minute, but the substitute was offside by a fraction.
After late defeats to Poland and Portugal, it means Andrej Kramaric’s winner leaves Scotland without a point in the Nations League ahead of the visit of Portugal on Tuesday.
Without up to 12 players due to injury, Scotland struck first as Ryan Christie capitalised on a mistake in the Croatia defence to fire his first competitive goal in two years.
But Scotland were pegged back almost immediately when Igor Matanovic fired a first-time finish past goalkeeper Craig Gordon, recalled by Clarke at the age of 41.
Croatia then took the lead in an open game, as an unmarked Kramaric headed into the net after a save from Gordon.
Christie spurned a golden chance to equalise for Scotland on the breakaway and Adams went narrowly wide with a flick in stoppage time before the substitute saw his last-gasp effort ruled out.
Luckless Scotland suffer another late twist in Nations League
Ryan Christie shot the disciplined visitors ahead in the 33rd minute from a tight angle before striker Igor Matanovic levelled three minutes later.
Steve Clarke’s side came under increasing pressure after the break and eventually succumbed in the 70th minute of the League A Group 1 encounter at Stadion Maksimir when Andrej Kramaric headed the home side in front.
FT: Croatia 2-1 Scotland
Scotland’s next match takes them back to Hampden Park, where they host Portugal on Tuesday night. That match kicks off at 7.45pm BST.
Croatia face Poland in their next match, with that kicking off at the same time in Warsaw.
FT: Croatia 2-1 Scotland
That result leaves Scotland rock bottom of their Nations League group, with zero points and a goal difference of -3 at the halfway point in the group stage.
FT: Croatia 2-1 Scotland
So Scotland come away from another Nations League match where they’ll feel like they deserved at least a point but left with none.
Steve Clarke’s side played well in parts, though they lacked the required quality in the final third and were guilty of falling asleep for the goals they conceded.
They have repeatedly shown that they can compete with Europe’s best, but they seem to just lack that final bit of luck/quality/composure.
So close yet so far once again.
FULL-TIME! Croatia 2-1 Scotland
FULL-TIME! Croatia 2-1 Scotland
FULL-TIME!
That’s the last action of the match as the referee blows the final whistle.
Scotland deserved at least a point there, but once again there’s late drama as they come away empty-handed.
DISALLOWED GOAL! Croatia 2-1 Scotland
Heartbreak for Scotland as they are robbed of a point they so richly deserved.
Che Adams was indeed offside in the build-up.
GOAL! Croatia 2-2 Scotland
Oh my word! Right at the last moment, Scotland level it!
The ball comes across to Robertson and he brings it down well. He tries to play it to McLean, who almost loses it on the edge of the box, but he back-heels it past the onrushing defenders and into the path of Che Adams.
In the confusion, the Croatia defenders try and get a foot to it and Jakic flies in, diverting it past Livakovic and into his own net!
Hang on though – there’s a VAR check.
Croatia 2-1 Scotland
Not long left for Scotland to salvage anything here, but there’s time for one more attack…
Croatia 2-1 Scotland
Brilliant play from McTominay as he powers past Modric, but he ends up firing an aimless ball into the box and it’s cleared easily.
Scotland come again, but Christie runs into trouble before Gilmour is booked for taking Baturina down on the counter.
