Scotland have been denied a last-gasp draw by VAR as Croatia held on in Zagreb to inflict extra distress on Steve Clarke’s males.
Scotland thought they’d rescued a degree when Kristijan Jakic beat Che Adams to the ball however solely succeeded in prodding it into his personal internet with the ultimate kick of the sport. A prolonged VAR examine ensued with Adams deemed to be offside within the build-up.
It was harsh on Scotland, who battled bravely after taking the lead by means of Ryan Christie.
However targets from Igor Matanovic and Andrej Kramaric gave Croatia the win with Scotland’s document now studying one win in 15 video games with the strain persevering with to mount on Clarke.
FULL TIME: Croatia 2-1 Scotland.
The hosts take the factors after getting back from a objective behind in Zagreb.#CROSCO pic.twitter.com/67TR0US419
— Scotland Nationwide Staff (@ScotlandNT) October 12, 2024
Croatia bossed the early going but it surely was Scotland who had the primary likelihood of notice, Christie’s shot flashing previous the submit.
The hosts continued to see extra of the ball however 41-year-old Craig Gordon had little or no to do within the opening half hour.
The veteran Hearts goalkeeper was referred to as into motion after 31 minutes, although, parrying clear a rising shot from Kramaric, earlier than Borna Sosa headed Ivan Perisic’s cross extensive.
Christie opens the scoring
It appeared Croatia have been lastly discovering their stride however they have been surprised as Scotland took the lead after 33 minutes. Ben Doak’s cross was shanked backwards by Luka Sucic and Christie was available to fireplace in regardless of the makes an attempt of Duje Caleta-Automobile to clear off the road.
The lead lasted simply three minutes as Perisic escaped down the precise and his cutback was excellent for the onrushing Matanovic and he whipped a crisp drive into the underside left-hand nook for his first worldwide objective.
Matanovic’s runs from deep have been inflicting Scotland an issue and the Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder virtually scored once more when he picked up a free ball and fired in a 30-yard effort that had Gordon scrambling.
Marvellous Modric proves the distinction
Scotland’s earlier enterprise had began to wane with Modric beginning to boss the sport from the centre of the sphere.
The Actual Madrid man noticed Gordon save one effort and, after Sucic had a objective disallowed for offside, he began the transfer that led to Croatia’s second. A trademark go out to Perisic put Scotland on the again foot and his cross from the precise was met on the total by Sosa on the far submit. Gordon did effectively to repel the shot however the rebound fell properly for Kramaric to nod in from shut vary.
Scotland ought to have equalised with 12 minutes to go, Christie breaking clear however failing to resolve on a shot or a cross and his in-between effort evaded each Adams and Ryan Gauld within the center.
Croatia have been wanting shaky and Adams almost capitalised with a lobbed effort over Dominik Livakovic that drifted extensive within the last minute.
They got here even nearer 5 minutes later however expertise went in opposition to them and so they proceed to prop up the remaining in Nations League A1.
