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.
Luke Modric, 39, captains Croatia against Scotland
Luka Modric leads a strong Croatia line-up featuring Manchester City’s Josko Gvardiol in defence and PSV’s Ivan Perisic at left-back.
“I’m still on the pitch here for Croatia at this age for the love for football,” Modric said this week. “For me, playing for the national team is special, it’s a great honour. It keeps me motivated and pushes me forward”.
Confirmed Croatia line-up
Livakovic, Sutalo, Caleta-Car, Gvardiol, Perisic, Modric (c), Mario Pasalic, Sosa, L. Sucic, Kramaric, Matanovic.
Subs: Labrovic, Ivusic, Jakic, Erlic, Moro, Pasalic, Budumir, P. Sucic, Baturina, Petkovic, Orsic, Pjaca.
Confirmed Scotland line-up
Gordon, Roberston (c), Hanley, Souttar, Ralston, McLean, Gilmour, Christie, McTominay, Doak, Dykes.
Subs: McCracken, McCrorie, Adams, MacKenzie, Irving, Porteous, Lindsay, Morgan, Nisbet, Gauld, Devlin.
What a night for Ben Doak, the Middlesbrough forward on loan from Liverpool, who makes his first start for his country.
Possible line-ups
Croatia XI: Livakovic; Erlic, Sutalo, Gvardiol; Pjaca, Kovacic, Modric, Baturina, Sosa; Matanovic, Kramaric
Scotland XI: Gordon; Ralston, Hanley, Souttar, Robertson; Gilmour, McLean; Forrest, McTominay, Christie; Adams
Scotland team news
Steve Clarke’s side have been hit by an injury crisis, with up to 12 players missing from the squad. John McGinn, Angus Gunn, Kieran Tierney, Aaron Hickey, Nathan Patterson, Jack Hendry, Scott McKenna, Greg Taylor, Lewis Ferguson, Lawrence Shankland, Ross McCrorie, Tommy Conway are all unavailable.
Gunn’s absence means the 41-year-old Craig Gordon could start, almost six months on from seemingly playing his last international match against Finland. Uncapped Aberdeen full-backs Nicky Devlin and Jack MacKenzie, Preston centre-back Liam Lindsay and West Ham midfielder Andy Irving could make their Scotland debuts if called upon.
Thankfully for Scotland, Scott McTominay is fit and is in good form following his move to Napoli. The midfielder has scored in his last two Scotland games.
How can I watch Croatia vs Scotland?
The match is not being shown on TV but is available to stream on YouTube.
The rights to Scotland’s Nations League matches is currently held by ViaPlay, but the Norwegian broadcaster stripped back its operations in the UK last year.
Last month, Scotland’s matches against Poland and Portugal were picked up by ITV - but no deal has been made ahead of the Croatia and Portugal games.
Therefore, Croatia vs Scotland will only be available to watch on the Viaplay International YouTube channel, and the stream will only go live at 4:50pm.
When is Croatia vs Scotland?
The match kicks off at 5pm BST (UK time) on Saturday 12 October at the Stadion Maksimir in Zagreb, Croatia.
Croatia v Scotland – live
Scotland aim to end a record winless run as they travel to Croatia in the Nations League.
Steve Clarke’s side have not won in eight competitive matches and suffered late defeats against Poland and Portugal last month.
The Tartan Army sit bottom of their Nations League group and Clarke’s squad have been decimated by injuries ahead of a tricky double-header.
The trip to Croatia, ranked 12th in the world, will be followed by the visit of Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo at Hampden on Tuesday night.
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