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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

Chris Wilson
Saturday 12 October 2024 16:06 EDT
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Scotland’s players react after a late equaliser is ruled out for offside
Scotland’s players react after a late equaliser is ruled out for offside (REUTERS)

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.

Croatia 2-1 Scotland

80 mins

Sosa’s cross is defended well but Croatia come again as Sucic sweeps an early cross out of play.

Chris Wilson12 October 2024 18:38

Croatia 2-1 Scotland

78 mins

CLOSE! Oh he has to do better.

Christie is on the end of a perfect through ball. He’s clean through as he surges through towards goal, but he scuffs his shot and it bobbles wide of the far post!

You wonder what might have happened if it had been Doak on the end of that.

Chris Wilson12 October 2024 18:37

Croatia 2-1 Scotland

77 mins

Steve Clarke makes changes as Doak is replaced by Ryan Gauld and Che Adams comes on for Dykes.

Chris Wilson12 October 2024 18:35

Croatia 2-1 Scotland

75 mins

Baturina wins a corner and it’s Croatia who are dominating proceedings here now.

Modric delivers and Ralston is fouled as he heads clear.

(Getty Images)
Chris Wilson12 October 2024 18:34

Croatia 2-1 Scotland

73 mins

Hanley’s pass is cut out and Baturina swings in a dangerous cross. The clearance comes to Gvardiol, but he blasts over from distance.

Chris Wilson12 October 2024 18:32

Croatia 2-1 Scotland

72 mins

Croatia make two changes as Kramaric and Matanović make way for Ante Budimir and Bruno Petković.

Chris Wilson12 October 2024 18:30

GOAL! Croatia 2-1 Scotland

70 mins

GOAL! Just as I type that they’re lacking threat.

Perisic works some space on the wing and floats in a lovely cross to the far post, that Sosa hits first-time. It forces a great save from Gordon but the ball bounces back to an unmarked Kramaric, who nods it past the defenders on the line for 2-1.

(Getty Images)
Chris Wilson12 October 2024 18:29

Croatia 1-1 Scotland

68 mins

Croatia are enjoying some sustained possession at the moment, though once again they’re lacking threat.

Kramaric fires in a cross but Hanley heads away easily.

Chris Wilson12 October 2024 18:27

Croatia 1-1 Scotland

66 mins

Modric skips past McTominay too easily and shapes up to try and find the far corner, but his shot flies wide of the post.

Moments later, the Real Madrid man tracks back to latch on to the loose ball and starts a counter, which ends with Baturina firing over from distance.

Chris Wilson12 October 2024 18:24

Croatia 1-1 Scotland

64 mins

Doak and McTominay almost combine in the box but once again the final bit of quality is just lacking.

Chris Wilson12 October 2024 18:22

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