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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 19:17 BST
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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

88 mins

A lovely disguised pass from Gilmour releases Gauld, whose early cross forces a great clearance from Caleta-Car.

Gauld fizzes it in to McTominay, who stands up his man and eventually fires wide of the far corner, but he’d strayed offside.

Chris Wilson12 October 2024 18:46

Croatia 2-1 Scotland

86 mins

Too many Scotland attacks are just running straight to Livakovic.

Croatia pile on the pressure now as Baturina fires in a low cross that requires a great diving clearance from Souttar.

Chris Wilson12 October 2024 18:44

Croatia 2-1 Scotland

85 mins

McTominay is flagged for offside as he tried to reach Robertson’s inviting early cross.

Chris Wilson12 October 2024 18:42

Croatia 2-1 Scotland

84 mins

The away side certainly haven’t given up hope of a result here, but time is running out.

Modric leads the Croatia counter but Scotland win a free-kick at the edge of their own area.

Chris Wilson12 October 2024 18:42

Croatia 2-1 Scotland

82 mins

Not helpful from Gordon as he hacks a pass straight out of play.

Scotland manage to regain possession and Robertson launches it forward, but it’s cut out for a throw.

The away side come again but it’s all too pedestrian to trouble the home defence.

(Getty Images)
Chris Wilson12 October 2024 18:40

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

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