Visitors snatch Nations League win with late penalty

Scotland suffered late heartbreak at the hands of Poland in the UEFA Nations League, losing 3-2 thanks to a penalty in stoppage time.

It was a tough night all around for Scotland, who found themselves 1-0 down after eight minutes.

Sebastian Szymanski fired in from long-range after Billy Gilmour lost possession, with the midfielder smashing his effort in off the post, leaving Angus Gunn with no chance.

It was an uphill battle from there, but Scotland battled on into the first half, creating decent chances and initially grabbing an equaliser 22 minutes in.

Andy Robertson’s cross was met by Scott McTominay, who bundled the ball over the line and wheeled off to celebrate in front of the Hampden Park crowd.

But the strike was ruled out for handball by the Scotsman, albeit the Napoli man did not look like he meant to use his arm to score.

24′ | Andy Robertson crosses into the box from a free-kick, where Scott McTominay meets the ball and puts it into the net.

However, the goal is then disallowed for hand ball.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 0 – 1 🇵🇱

— Scotland National Team (@ScotlandNT) September 5, 2024

Lyndon Dykes had a huge chance again late in the first half, opting for a half-volley rather than a header at the back post and missing the target, marking a real let-off for Poland in the process.

And less than a minute later, Poland had a penalty.

Tony Ralston quite clearly hacked Nicola Zalewski down in the box, prompting the referee to point to the spot, which Robert Lewandowski inevitably converted.

So Scotland had it all to do in the second half, and they nearly completed a miraculous comeback.

Just a minute after the restart, Gilmour had the ball in the net, making up for his previous mistake.

The midfielder smashed it through a bundle of bodies after Dykes had done well to move the ball into the box, giving the Tartan Army something to cheer about at last.

And with the fans now behind the players again, they kicked on with full force.

Szymanski came close to a second for Poland, sending a beautiful curled strike just wide of the frame.

That chance seemed to open the game up, with both sides now having chances in what was becoming an end-to-end

GOAL SCOTLAND! WHAT A START TO THE HALF!

Billy Gilmour bags his second goal for Scotland! #SCOPOL pic.twitter.com/1vF0cWmhsx

— Scotland National Team (@ScotlandNT) September 5, 2024

affair.

But after a trio of changes for Scotland, they found their equaliser.

McTominay finally had his goal, the 10th of his career with 15 minutes left on the clock.

Anthony Ralston did well to find the former Manchester United man who had no problem slotting home from close-range, drawing Steve Clarke’s side level.

But while there was hope inside Hampden Park, the unthinkable happened in stoppage time.

Zalewski was fouled by Grant Hanley in the box, earning Poland their second penalty of the night with just two minutes to go.

He stepped up and cooly beat Gunn to send the travelling support mad in the small section of the stadium they had.

GOAL Poland. Zalewski scores.

Scotland 2-3 Poland. #SCOPOL

— Scotland National Team (@ScotlandNT) September 5, 2024

The loss means Scotland have now won just one of their last 13 games, with pressure now really mounting on Clarke.

If the Tartan Army want to make it to the World Cup in 2026, something needs to change, and quickly.