Croatia vs Scotland. UEFA Nations League Group A1.
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Report as Scotland's poor run of form continued with Croatia coming from behind to inflict a third straight Nations League defeat on Steve Clarke's men; Ryan Christie's opener cancelled out immediately by Igor Matanovic before former Leicester striker Andrej Kramaric completes turnaround
Sunday 13 October 2024 07:31, UK
Scotland suffered a third successive defeat in the UEFA Nations League to leave them facing the real prospect of relegation after Croatia came from behind to win 2-1 in Zagreb.
With the final kick of the game, the visitors were denied a dramatic equaliser when Kristijan Jakic inadvertently poked the ball into his own net, but substitute Che Adams was ruled offside after a long VAR check.
Steve Clarke's side deservedly led when Ryan Christie forced the opener despite Duje Caleta-Car's best efforts to clear his shot on the line (32).
But Scotland's lead lasted only 203 seconds as the 21-year-old Igor Matanovic immediately levelled with his first senior international goal (36).
Luka Modric came close to scoring a superb solo effort after nutmegging Scott McTominay and curling just wide - but Zlatko Dalic's men would complete the turnaround midway through the second half.
Andrej Kramaric - earning his 99th cap for Croatia - scored with his final touch before being substituted as he converted from close range after Craig Gordon kept out Borna Sosa's initial strike.
The result leaves Scotland bottom of Nations League Group A1 with zero points from three games ahead of hosting Portugal at Hampden Park on Tuesday. However, Clarke remains optimistic.
He said: "The disappointment is massive. You get that high at the end when you think you have a deserved draw and that is taken away by VAR.
"The performance was really good. I thought we were brave with the ball. We tried to play, tried to create chances. On another night we would've got what we deserved. A full squad fit and healthy would be a help.
"I briefly spoke to the players because there's so much disappointment in the dressing room that it's probably better to wait until we get back to Glasgow before we get a proper chat about the game, but just to believe we are on the right path."
In a dramatic finale, Adams, who replaced Lyndon Dykes after the Scots fell behind, had the ball in the net in the fifth minute of added time, only for VAR to disallow the effort for offside, dealing another blow to the visitors.
The Scots have found the top level of the Nations League a tough task, with defeats to Poland and Portugal in their first two fixtures, and they go into the game against the Portuguese with just one win in 15 - and wondering if their luck will turn.
This is now Scotland's longest winless run in competitive matches in their history, losing six and drawing three of their last nine. They've lost four consecutive games for the first time in five years, last doing so in October 2019.
In mitigation, Clarke was left with a depleted squad in Croatia, with over a dozen players unavailable through injury.
He gave a first start to Ben Doak, on loan at Middlesbrough from Liverpool, while 41-year-old goalkeeper Craig Gordon was between the sticks for the first time since November 2022, with Anthony Ralston, John Souttar, Grant Hanley and captain Andy Robertson making up the rest of the defence.
Kenny McLean partnered Billy Gilmour in the middle and Christie started on the left, with Scott McTominay behind lone striker Dykes, preferred to Adams who had struggled all week with illness.
Croatia's talismanic captain Luka Modric, 39, was in his usual midfield berth and there were familiar faces in the home side such as Ivan Perisic and Josko Gvardiol.
There was a bold attempt from Dykes early in the game.
In the sixth minute he robbed Borna Sosa just inside Croatia's half but his audacious long-range shot cleared the bar.
Moments later a Hanley slip allowed Matanovic to run in on goal and, in his quest to win back the ball, he fouled the striker just outside the box, earning himself a booking, with Luka Sucic's free-kick blocked by one of his own players.
There were suggestions that a goal was on its way.
On the half-hour mark Gordon made a good save from Sosa's angled drive before the Croatia attacker headed wide - and then Scotland took the lead.
The lively Doak crossed into the box from the right and a horror mistake by Sucic saw the ball fall back to Christie, who knocked it towards goal from a tight angle, with defender Duje Caleta-Car failing to keep it out.
The lead was short-lived as Matanovic, cleverly picked out by Perisic inside the box, turned and drilled a shot low across Gordon and into the far corner.
Gordon made crucial saves from Matanovic and Modric early in the second half as the home side turned the screw and Sucic thundered a shot past Gordon, but referee Istvan Kovacs had blown for a Scotland foul.
Modric curled a shot just wide in the 65th minute as the visitors were pressed back again and, when Gordon could only parry a powerful drive from Sosa high into the air, Kramaric was on hand to head in.
The goal had been coming and Scotland had to react.
Adams came on for Dykes and Ryan Gauld replaced Doak and moments later Christie raced clear but failed to hit the target.
In a late rally, Adams also had an opportunity but lobbed it wide of the far post.
But when he had the ball in the net from close range with seconds remaining it looked like the Scots had salvaged a point, only for VAR to intervene.
Scotland boss Steve Clarke:
"We haven't regressed as I said yesterday. We just have to keep believing, keep pushing away. This is what we have to do. Like I said before, they have to keep believing that we're on the right path.
"We certainly send them that message. They must feel themselves coming off the pitch that they were very competitive against a good side.
"So we'll try to take that into Tuesday night. At some stage we'll get a rub of the green, we'll get a bounce of the ball, we'll get a break and things will change."
Croatia boss Zlatko Dalic:
"Congratulations to the team on the win and to the fans for their support. I'm happy with the victory, but not entirely pleased with how we played. However, the three points are what matter most, and we got them.
"We weren't direct or competitive enough, we held back. It wasn't the Croatia we're used to seeing: fluid, competitive, and compact.
"In the end, we won the game, and that's the most important thing - but the performance needs to improve. What we showed against Portugal and Poland was better than today's performance. We need to get back on that track."
Sky Sports' Ben Grounds:
"Really sore defeat this one for Scotland, who again leave the pitch feeling they deserved something from the game. That said, it's now just one victory in 15 games.
"Croatia managed to secure their second win in this year's Nations League, but it was far from straightforward.
"Andrej Kramaric notched his 30th goal for Croatia on his 99th appearance with over half of these since he turned 30, and eight since the start of 2023. No one has scored more in that time for his country.
"Again, Scotland lost a game they led but Croatia ramped up the pressure in the second period to strike when in the ascendancy.
"Scotland have not looked out of place at this level, and the standard of their football against strong opponents will only stand them in good stead for when World Cup qualification gets underway."
Scotland host Portugal at Hampden Park on Tuesday 15, October as their Nation's League campaign continues.
