Scotland vs Portugal LIVE: Results and reaction after Scots snap losing run with battling draw
Scotland 0-0 Portugal: The Scots lifted the gloom with a strong defensive performance to frustrate Cristiano Ronaldo and co.
Scotland ensured they avoided the ignominy of a fifth defeat in a row as a battling draw was secured against Portugal in the Nations League.
Steve Clarke’s side are enduring a “tough” winless run that has now extended to ten games, but there was reason for optimism here in a gutsy defensive performance that frustrated Cristiano Ronaldo and the rest of array of visiting forwards. Ronaldo squandered a couple of sightings at goal, heading over in the second half having been left alone in the Scotland box, while Craig Gordon also denied Bruno Fernandes with a fine save.
The Scots have been hit by an injury crisis, as well as a run of late misfortune, but there was no twist at Hampden Park. They arguably had the game’s best chance in the opening ten minutes as Scott McTominay arrived in trademark fashion into the area, but the Napoli midfielder headed straight at Diogo Costa. A draw nonetheless leaves Scotland facing the prospect of relegation from the top tier of the Nations League.
Re-live all the action from Scotland vs Portugal in the Nations League below:
Scotland 0-0 Portugal, 61 minutes
A triple change from Roberto Martinez: off go Diogo Jota, Joao Palhinha and Francisco Conceicao; on come Rafael Leao, Ruben Neves and Bernardo Silva. Handy options.
Scotland 0-0 Portugal, 58 minutes
Bruno Fernandes strikes the outside of the post direct from a corner, an apparent attempt to beat Craig Gordon always ambitious but, in the end, not far away.
Some Portuguese bibs are coming off.
Scotland 0-0 Portugal, 57 minutes
Howls of frustration around Hampden as Ryan Christie is unable to access a two-man overload on the left after bright play from John Souttar and Scott McTominay.
Scotland 0-0 Portugal, 56 minutes
Nuno Mendes dances past Anthony Ralston but loses the run of the ball as he foxtrots beyond the right-back, meaning his eventual cut-back is played from out of play.
Scotland 0-0 Portugal, 54 minutes
How long will the managers wait to change things? Roberto Martinez, particularly, has plenty of options lurking on his bench.
Scotland 0-0 Portugal, 52 minutes
Another big let-off for Scotland! Cristiano Ronaldo turns provider, drawing two to him and then slotting the ball back to Francisco Conceicao, but his effort is like a Samuel Marques conversion, sailing over the bar.
Scotland 0-0 Portugal, 50 minutes
Ben Doak is cut down in full flow by Joao Palhinha, who accepts a booking with no fuss. A heavy tumble for Doak leaves him testing out the motion in his joints, but all is in order as Andy Robertson readies to take the free kick.
It’s a good’un, too, bending dangerously into the Portugal box, but Diogo Costa is confidently out to batter away, and there’s a foul by a Scot elsewhere, anyway.
Scotland 0-0 Portugal, 48 minutes
Guided over! Cristiano Ronaldo falls to the floor in disbelief, unable to comprehend how he has managed to steer a free header from 10 yards over the crossbar. It’s the sort of opportunity he would usually bury...
Scotland 0-0 Portugal, 46 minutes
Ryan Christie has had to do plenty of defensive work this season, so it won’t please him that a rare opportunity to get forward is squandered by an errant John Souttar pass.
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