Scotland are still looking for their first point in Group A1, after a third game in which they’ve matched superior opponents for the most part, only to be eventually overwhelmed and delivered a sickening late blow. Pure tincture of Scotland, right there, times three. But at least we don’t have to suffer an hour-long post-mortem about it. Thank you, YouTube!
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Portugal P2 W2 D0 L0 F4 A2 Pts 6
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Croatia P3 W2 D0 L1 F4 A3 Pts 6
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Poland P2 W1 D0 L1 F3 A3 Pts 3
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Scotland P3 W0 D0 L3 F3 A5 Pts 0
Scotland.Scotland have one last go. The ball’s shuttled into the Croatian box. Some pinball. McLean backheels down the inside-left channel. Adams lunges to shoot. Jakić extends a leg and gets there first, only to divert the ball, which bobbles across Livaković and into the bottom right!
Scotland.Scotland are pushing forward, but the final ball is lacking. But then Gauld, his back to goal 25 yards out, plays a sensational reverse pass down the left channel. Adams meets the bouncing ball but his loop over the keeper drifts wide right of goal. So close to a sensational equaliser! Scotland have had their chances. Their half-chances, at least.Scotland come again, though, McTominay bustling down the inside-left channel before scooping a diagonal shot wide and high. Then the flag pops up for offside.Croatia just fine, because the clock continues to count down at the same lick.Scotland should be level. Christie is sent racing clear down the inside-right channel by McTominay’s clever pass. He’s one on one with the keeper, and has Adams and Gauld in the middle, waiting to tap home … but gets caught between two ideas, eventually scuffing a shot-cum-cross harmlessly wide left, his team-mates given no chance to reach the ball. What a waste!Scotland make their first changes, replacing Dykes and Doak with Ché Adams and Ryan Gauld.
Scotland suddenly look so ragged. Baturina dances his way down the right and wins a corner. Modrić to take.clipping from Aberdeen’s Press & Journal.Scotland box from the right. Sosa meets it with a screaming volley. Gordon manages to make a save, but the ball balloons up to Kramarić, who heads home from a couple of yards.
Scotland back now. The visitors holding their shape for now.Scotland are suddenly beginning to ship half-chances with unwanted regularity.Croatia clear their lines. In the middle, Dykes can be forgiven for breaking into a full, no-nonsense fume.Croatia make another chance, replacing Luka Sučić with the 21-year-old midfielder Martin Baturina, reportedly their great new hope.Scotland reasonably close to delivering the ultimate sucker punch after Croatia’s disallowed goal!Scotland go up the other end through Doak, who wins a corner down the right. Robertson to take.Croatia not happy, but this is the way it is.Croatia and their fans a little bit frustrated right now.
Scotland aren’t getting one.Croatia get the second half underway. Petar Sučić has replaced Mario Pašalić.Nations League on YouTube, while also following a live minute-by-minute commentary via the Guardian website, I’d probably have choked on my fag and can of McEwans Export. Now I only drink craft beer and cocktails, and vape, but I still nearly choked when Scotland took the lead” – Simon McMahon
Tell you what, Viaplay, the SFA, Uefa, STV, BBC Scotland, Uncle Tom Cobley and all have taken some flak for this game being YouTube only, but I’m coming round to it quicksmart. The feed clicked on ten minutes before kick-off, there was no bloviating for an hour beforehand, we’re currently enjoying some peaceful silence at half-time, and I’m pretty sure the switch will be flicked off the minute the final whistle goes. I’m all for this. Broadcasters please take note! If you really need to fill the gaps on your channel before and after, show a couple of cartoons or some Laurel & Hardy.
Half-time entertainment. A play in three emails, by James Humphries.
32 min: “Scotland looking pretty decent with the ball here, young Doak in particular. Defensive howler in the post for definite then; my bet is just before half-time.”
34 min: “I mean, I thought it would be a Scottish defensive howler, but I’ll take it.”
37 min: “I don’t know why I say these things. Ah, never mind. There’s that old familiar feeling.”
Nothing happens in it. Croatia haven’t played badly; Scotland have played well.
45 min: There will be one additional minute.
44 min: A cute flick from Gilmour sends Scotland on the attack. Doak’s cross from the right evades Dykes. Scotland continue to go forward without fear.
Croatia over-elaborate, and eventually the flag goes up for offside.
40 min: Robertson hoicks a diagonal free kick towards the far stick, forcing Pašalić to turn the ball behind for a corner with McTominay lurking. Sadly nothing comes of the resulting set piece, but this is a decent response from Scotland to the disappointment of giving up their lead so quickly.
39 min: McLean makes good down the inside-left channel and is cynically hauled back by Perišić, who goes into the book. A free kick just outside the box, on its left-hand edge.
38 min: Doak continues to make a nuisance of himself down the right. He looks a proper player. Good news for Middlesbrough and Liverpool, but especially Scotland, who really need someone who can provide that extra sparkle.
Well that didn’t last long. Matanović scores his first goal for his country. A long ball down the right. Perišić cuts it back first time, and the in-rushing Matanović whips a low drive into the bottom left from the edge of the box.
35 min: Uefa have decided that’s an own goal by Ćaleta-Car. Nah. Had the defender not attempted his clearance, Christie’s shot was going in anyway.
McTominay feeds Doak down the right. Doak dribbles purposefully infield and dinks a cross into the middle. Sučić, his back to goal, slices a dreadful clearance backwards. The ball drops to Christie, on the left-hand corner of the six-yard box. Christie swivels and shoots. Ćaleta-Car, on his own line, can only help the ball into his own net. Scotland lead! And it’s not undeserved!
Croatia, who have suddenly moved up a gear.
30 min: McLean nearly releases Doak down the middle, but the winger can’t combine with Dykes and the hosts clear their lines. The Tartan Army cry foul, but the referee isn’t interested.
Source: theguardian.com
