Croatia v Scotland LIVE: Nations League result and final score as Scots suffer more late heartbreak
Croatia 2-1 Scotland: After late defeats to Poland and Portugal, Che Adams saw a 95th minute equaliser ruled out by VAR
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.
GOAL! Croatia 2-2 Scotland
94 mins
GOAL!
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
93 mins
Not long left for Scotland to salvage anything here, but there’s time for one more attack...
Croatia 2-1 Scotland
92 mins
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
90 mins
There’ll be four minutes of added time in Zagreb. Perisic has been replaced by defensive midfielder Kristijan Jakić.
Croatia 2-1 Scotland
89 mins
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
88 mins
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
86 mins
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
85 mins
McTominay is flagged for offside as he tried to reach Robertson’s inviting early cross.
Croatia 2-1 Scotland
84 mins
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
82 mins
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.
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