Scotland throw away lead and path Croatia in Nations League conflict – comply with stay
Scotland are bidding to get their Nations League campaign off the ground as they take on Croatia in Zagreb.
Steve Clarke’s side lost both of their opening matches, going down in late defeats by Poland and Portugal in part of an eight-match winless streak stretching back beyond Euro 2024. “Not winning games is horrible,” Clarke said this week. “Performances have to be good. If the performance is good, then we have an opportunity to hopefully pick some points up.”
Clarke is having to contend with a raft of injuries, with a number of key players absent from the squad such as John McGinn, Kieran Tierney, Lawrence Shankland and Angus Gunn. Gunn’s injury means 39-year-old Croatia captain Luka Modric will not be the oldest player on the pitch, as 41-year-old Craig Gordon takes the gloves for Scotland.
The match is not being shown live on TV after the broadcast rights were not picked up by ITV, and is only available to watch on the Viaplay International YouTube channel. Follow all the live action from Croatia v Scotland below.
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.
Croatia 2-1 Scotland
There’ll be four minutes of added time in Zagreb. Perisic has been replaced by defensive midfielder Kristijan Jakić.
Croatia 2-1 Scotland
Christie does well to skip past a challenge before looping a high cross to the opposite wing, but the attack ends after a poor deep cross from McLean.
Moments later there’s brilliant play from the away side, as Gauld clips a lovely through ball into the path of Adams, who tries to square it across goal, but there’s nobody there to convert it.
Croatia 2-1 Scotland
A lovely disguised pass from Gilmour releases Gauld, whose early cross forces a great clearance from Caleta-Car.
Gauld fizzes it in to McTominay, who stands up his man and eventually fires wide of the far corner, but he’d strayed offside.
Croatia 2-1 Scotland
Too many Scotland attacks are just running straight to Livakovic.
Croatia pile on the pressure now as Baturina fires in a low cross that requires a great diving clearance from Souttar.
Croatia 2-1 Scotland
McTominay is flagged for offside as he tried to reach Robertson’s inviting early cross.
Croatia 2-1 Scotland
The away side certainly haven’t given up hope of a result here, but time is running out.
Modric leads the Croatia counter but Scotland win a free-kick at the edge of their own area.
Croatia 2-1 Scotland
Not helpful from Gordon as he hacks a pass straight out of play.
Scotland manage to regain possession and Robertson launches it forward, but it’s cut out for a throw.
The away side come again but it’s all too pedestrian to trouble the home defence.
