Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Liveupdated

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
Comments
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 0-0 Scotland

16 mins

Livakovic scuffs the clearance and it almost creates an opening for Scotland, but they’re forced to recycle possession.

Robertson tries to release Christie down the left, but it’s cut out.

A solid enough start from both sides, but nothing threatening in attack from either.

(Getty Images)
Chris Wilson12 October 2024 17:17

Croatia 0-0 Scotland

14 mins

Scotland haven’t really been threatened despite Croatia’s dominance on the ball, but they’ll be wary no doubt.

The home side attack again and Gvardiol tries the diagonal once more, but Robertson is there to cut it out and Scotland have it back.

Chris Wilson12 October 2024 17:15

Croatia 0-0 Scotland

12 mins

Sosa’s cross is cut out but Scotland are struggling to get out of their half in the last couple of minutes. Until Gvardiol pings a diagonal to Perisic that goes out of play, that is.

Chris Wilson12 October 2024 17:13

Croatia 0-0 Scotland

10 mins

Robertson tries to go on the front foot but ends up booting the ball out for a throw.

Moments later, Gilmour drives forwards into the box but his cutback is intercepted.

Not a lot to report from Zagreb so far.

Chris Wilson12 October 2024 17:12

Croatia 0-0 Scotland

8 mins

Hanley slips as Croatia start an attack and he concedes the foul on the edge of the box as he tries to win it back.

Modric is standing over it – but it’s Sucic who fires into his own man and it goes for a goal kick.

Chris Wilson12 October 2024 17:10

Croatia 0-0 Scotland

7 mins

Gvardiol’s clearance comes to Christie on the edge of the box but he fires wide.

Chris Wilson12 October 2024 17:08

Croatia 0-0 Scotland

6 mins

There’s an adventurous attempt from Lyndon Dykes as he tries to score from halfway, but it sails over the bar.

Chris Wilson12 October 2024 17:07

Croatia 0-0 Scotland

5 mins

Nothing of note has happened so far, with another Croatia attack fizzling out after the ball forward runs out for a goal kick.

Chris Wilson12 October 2024 17:06

Croatia 0-0 Scotland

3 mins

Croatia have still had all the possession, but both of their brief forays forward have ended in the gloves of Gordon.

Scotland’s turn to keep possession for a little while now.

Chris Wilson12 October 2024 17:04

Croatia 0-0 Scotland

1 min

There’s a distinct friendly feel to this match, with the half-full Stadion Maksimir playing a part in that.

41-year-old Craig Gordon making a start in goal could be a factor too.

It’s Croatia with all the early possession.

Chris Wilson12 October 2024 17:02

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in