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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 1-1 Scotland

62 mins

Half a chance for Scotland as the ball into the box falls to Dykes, who tries to lay it off to McTominay, but Croatia scramble clear.

Luka Sucic is replaced by Martin Baturina in midfield.

Chris Wilson12 October 2024 18:20

Croatia 1-1 Scotland

60 mins

Brave from Gordon as he punches the cross clear, and Matanovic has to receive some treatment.

Chris Wilson12 October 2024 18:18

Croatia 1-1 Scotland

58 mins

Nicely worked from Scotland as the diagonal pass comes to Robertson, who lays off a lovely cross with the outside of his boot that Souttar can’t get a clean connection with.

Chris Wilson12 October 2024 18:16

Croatia 1-1 Scotland

55 mins

Disallowed goal!

Wow. Relief for Scotland but not for the neutral.

Modric lays off the ball for the shot from distance and it’s blocked by a Scotland shirt. They try and break and the whistle goes just before Luka Sucic rifles into the net from about 25 yards!

(REUTERS)
Chris Wilson12 October 2024 18:14

Croatia 1-1 Scotland

54 mins

Modric latches on to the loose ball and Croatia keep possession before the skipper sweeps an effort across his body that forces a diving save from Gordon. Comfortable though.

In other news, Christie has indeed been awarded that first goal.

Chris Wilson12 October 2024 18:13

Croatia 1-1 Scotland

52 mins

Matanovic unleashes a shot from distance but Gordon is equal to it.

A missed sub from earlier – Pasalic was replaced by Petar Sučić.

(Getty Images)
Chris Wilson12 October 2024 18:11

Croatia 1-1 Scotland

49 mins

Neither side can string together anything of note at the moment. It’s stop-start as Dykes wins a free-kick near halfway.

Chris Wilson12 October 2024 18:08

Croatia 1-1 Scotland

47 mins

Scotland’s first foray forward is cut out after Christie loses it. A similarly muted start to the second half so far.

Chris Wilson12 October 2024 18:06

KICK-OFF! Croatia 1-1 Scotland

KICK-OFF!

We’re back underway in the Croatian capital.

Chris Wilson12 October 2024 18:02

HT: Croatia 1-1 Scotland

The two teams are back out onto the pitch in Zagreb, so we’re moments away from the second half starting.

Chris Wilson12 October 2024 18:01

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