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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 0-1 Scotland

35 mins

It’s gone down as a Caleta-Car own goal for now, but that’ll be reviewed you’d imagine.

Chris Wilson12 October 2024 17:36

GOAL! Croatia 0-1 Scotland

33 mins

GOAL! The away side are ahead in the Croatian capital! What a mix up.

McTominay ships it wide to Doak, who cuts inside but plays a poor cross in. However, Sucic scuffs the clearance and it’s sliced backwards into the path of Christie. He still has a lot to do but he pokes it past Livakovic at the angle, and it comes off Caleta-Car and ends up in the back of the net!

(Getty Images)
Chris Wilson12 October 2024 17:35

Croatia 0-0 Scotland

31 mins

Closer for Croatia now too as Kramaric cuts inside and unleashes a venomous shot that stings the palms of Gordon, but the Hearts man saves well.

Chris Wilson12 October 2024 17:32

Croatia 0-0 Scotland

30 mins

Almost a great chance for Scotland as Sosa’s cross is cut out and they counter. It’s led by Doak, who initially does well to skip past the challenge but doesn’t see McTominay free in acres of space on the left wing.

Instead, he tries to ship it to Dykes, but the pass is behind him.

Chris Wilson12 October 2024 17:31

Croatia 0-0 Scotland

28 mins

Croatia are having plenty of the ball but it’s all to pedestrian, and very easy for Scotland to deal with. At the same time, Scotland’s attacking has lacked a bit of quality, as shown by the latest pass forward going straight out of play while chased by Ben Doak.

Chris Wilson12 October 2024 17:30

Croatia 0-0 Scotland

25 mins

Some great defending from Ralston as he tracks back to get the clearing header on the cross in while under pressure from Sosa.

Ralston draws the foul but Scotland give it away too easily.

Chris Wilson12 October 2024 17:28

Croatia 0-0 Scotland

25 mins

Christie sweeps in an inviting cross and Dykes is inches away from getting a clean header on it. A bit more action now!

Chris Wilson12 October 2024 17:26

Croatia 0-0 Scotland

23 mins

A half-chance for the home side as they work it to the edge of the Scotland box before Kramaric finds the space for a shooting opportunity, but his effort is blocked.

Chris Wilson12 October 2024 17:25

Croatia 0-0 Scotland

20 mins

A fairly muted start in Zagreb, though the home fans are trying to create an atmosphere.

Moments later, Gilmour fires in a shot from distance but it’s straight at Livakovic.

Chris Wilson12 October 2024 17:22

Croatia 0-0 Scotland

18 mins

Gvardiol gives it away midway into his own half and McTominay pounces, but he can only drive a shot straight at the defender.

Croatia counter and a brilliant sliding challenge stops the shot, before Mario Pasalic is booked for a late challenge on Doak.

Chris Wilson12 October 2024 17:20

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