Croatia v Scotland LIVE: Nations League result and final score as Scots suffer more late heartbreak | OneFootball

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 v Scotland

Steve Clarke says ‘disappointment is massive’ as Scotland denied at the death

Steve Clarke insists Scotland are “on the right path” after his luckless side had a last-gasp goal ruled out to lose 2-1 to Croatia in Zagreb.

Ryan Christie put the visitors ahead in the 33rd minute of the Nations League game, Igor Matanovic levelling three minutes later.

Andrej Kramaric headed the home side in front after 70 minutes, but in the fifth minute of added time Scotland had the ball in the net with substitute Che Adams in the thick of the action, only for VAR to chalk the effort off for offside.

The Scots have lost all three of their games in the competition ahead of the visit of Portugal on Tuesday night and have only one win in 15 games as Clarke deals with an injury-hit squad.

Steve Clarke says ‘disappointment is massive’ as Scotland denied at the death

The visitors had a last-gasp equaliser ruled out by VAR as they lost to Croatia

Jamie Braidwood12 October 2024 21:05

Luckless Scotland suffer another late twist in Nations League

Che Adams had a last-gasp goal ruled out as luckless Scotland suffered a 2-1 Nations League defeat to Croatia in Zagreb.

Ryan Christie shot the disciplined visitors ahead in the 33rd minute from a tight angle before striker Igor Matanovic levelled three minutes later.

Steve Clarke’s side came under increasing pressure after the break and eventually succumbed in the 70th minute of the League A Group 1 encounter at Stadion Maksimir when Andrej Kramaric headed the home side in front.

Luckless Scotland suffer another late twist in Nations League

Croatia 2-1 Scotland: After conceding late goals in last month’s defeats, Steve Clarke’s side had a last-gasp equaliser ruled out in Zagreb

Chris Wilson12 October 2024 19:26

FT: Croatia 2-1 Scotland

So Scotland come away from another Nations League match where they’ll feel like they deserved at least a point but left with none.

Steve Clarke’s side played well in parts, though they lacked the required quality in the final third and were guilty of falling asleep for the goals they conceded.

They have repeatedly shown that they can compete with Europe’s best, but they seem to just lack that final bit of luck/quality/composure.

So close yet so far once again.

Chris Wilson12 October 2024 19:07

FULL-TIME! Croatia 2-1 Scotland

(Getty Images)

(Getty Images)

(Getty Images)

Chris Wilson12 October 2024 19:02