SportFootballScotland take on Croatia looking for their first points of the Nations League
Ben Doak in action for Scotland in Zagreb (REUTERS)Scotland are bidding to get their Nations League campaign off the ground as they take on Croatia in Zagreb.
Steve Clarke’s side lost both of their opening matches, going down in late defeats by Poland and Portugal in part of an eight-match winless streak stretching back beyond Euro 2024. “Not winning games is horrible,” Clarke said this week. “Performances have to be good. If the performance is good, then we have an opportunity to hopefully pick some points up.”
Clarke is having to contend with a raft of injuries, with a number of key players absent from the squad such as John McGinn, Kieran Tierney, Lawrence Shankland and Angus Gunn. Gunn’s injury means 39-year-old Croatia captain Luka Modric will not be the oldest player on the pitch, as 41-year-old Craig Gordon takes the gloves for Scotland.
The match is not being shown live on TV after the broadcast rights were not picked up by ITV, and is only available to watch on the Viaplay International YouTube channel. Follow all the live action from Croatia v Scotland below.
Croatia 2-1 Scotland77 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 Scotland75 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 Scotland73 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
Croatia 2-1 Scotland72 mins
Croatia make two changes as Kramaric and Matanović make way for Ante Budimir and Bruno Petković.
Chris Wilson12 October 2024 18:30
GOAL! Croatia 2-1 Scotland70 mins
GOAL! Just as I type that they’re lacking threat.
Perisic works some space on the wing and floats in a lovely cross to the far post, that Sosa hits first-time. It forces a great save from Gordon but the ball bounces back to an unmarked Kramaric, who nods it past the defenders on the line for 2-1.
Chris Wilson12 October 2024 18:29
Croatia 1-1 Scotland68 mins
Croatia are enjoying some sustained possession at the moment, though once again they’re lacking threat.
Kramaric fires in a cross but Hanley heads away easily.
Chris Wilson12 October 2024 18:27
Croatia 1-1 Scotland66 mins
Modric skips past McTominay too easily and shapes up to try and find the far corner, but his shot flies wide of the post.
Moments later, the Real Madrid man tracks back to latch on to the loose ball and starts a counter, which ends with Baturina firing over from distance.
Chris Wilson12 October 2024 18:24
Croatia 1-1 Scotland64 mins
Doak and McTominay almost combine in the box but once again the final bit of quality is just lacking.
Chris Wilson12 October 2024 18:22
Croatia 1-1 Scotland62 mins
Half a chance for Scotland as the ball into the box falls to Dykes, who tries to lay it off to McTominay, but Croatia scramble clear.
Luka Sucic is replaced by Martin Baturina in midfield.
Chris Wilson12 October 2024 18:20
Croatia 1-1 Scotland60 mins
Brave from Gordon as he punches the cross clear, and Matanovic has to receive some treatment.
Chris Wilson12 October 2024 18:18
