Clarke’s men denied by VAR after valiant effort in Zagreb

Scotland were denied a last-gasp draw by VAR as Croatia held on in Zagreb to inflict more misery on Steve Clarke’s men.

Scotland thought they had rescued a point when Kristijan Jakic beat Che Adams to the ball but only succeeded in prodding it into his own net with the final kick of the game. A lengthy VAR check ensued with Adams deemed to be offside in the build-up.

It was harsh on Scotland, who battled bravely after taking the lead through Ryan Christie.

But goals from Igor Matanovic and Andrej Kramaric gave Croatia the win with Scotland’s record now reading one win in 15 games with the pressure continuing to mount on Clarke.

FULL TIME: Croatia 2-1 Scotland.

The hosts take the points after coming back from a goal behind in Zagreb.#CROSCO pic.twitter.com/67TR0US419

— Scotland National Team (@ScotlandNT) October 12, 2024

Croatia bossed the early going but it was Scotland who had the first chance of note, Christie’s shot flashing past the post.

The hosts continued to see more of the ball but 41-year-old Craig Gordon had very little to do in the opening half hour. 

The veteran Hearts goalkeeper was called into action after 31 minutes, though, parrying clear a rising shot from Kramaric, before Borna Sosa headed Ivan Perisic’s cross wide.

Christie opens the scoring

It seemed Croatia were finally finding their stride but they were stunned as Scotland took the lead after 33 minutes. Ben Doak’s cross was shanked backwards by Luka Sucic and Christie was on hand to fire in despite the attempts of Duje Caleta-Car to clear off the line.

The lead lasted just three minutes as Perisic escaped down the right and his cutback was perfect for the onrushing Matanovic and he whipped a crisp drive into the bottom left-hand corner for his first international goal.

Matanovic’s runs from deep were causing Scotland a problem and the Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder almost scored again when he picked up a loose ball and fired in a 30-yard effort that had Gordon scrambling.

Marvellous Modric proves the difference

Scotland’s earlier enterprise had started to wane with Modric starting to boss the game from the centre of the field.

The Real Madrid man saw Gordon save one effort and, after Sucic had a goal disallowed for offside, he started the move that led to Croatia’s second. A trademark pass out to Perisic put Scotland on the back foot and his cross from the right was met on the full by Sosa at the far post. Gordon did well to repel the shot but the rebound fell nicely for Kramaric to nod in from close range.

Scotland should have equalised with 12 minutes to go, Christie breaking clear but failing to decide on a shot or a cross and his in-between effort evaded both Adams and Ryan Gauld in the middle.

Croatia were looking shaky and Adams nearly capitalised with a lobbed effort over Dominik Livakovic that drifted wide in the final minute.

They came even closer five minutes later but technology went against them and they continue to prop up the rest in Nations League A1.