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Scotland started their Nations League campaign with a thrilling contest against Poland at Hampden Park which resulted in a 2-3 loss for the home side.
The hosts were the better side in the first half but suffered an early surprise after Sebastian Szymanski rattled in a shot from 20 yards, beating Angus Gunn to his left and bouncing the ball into the net off the inside of the post.
Scott McTominay thought he had an equaliser only for his goal to get ruled out for a handball in the build-up but Scotland were on top. Yet it was another shock to the system when Anthony Ralston brought Nicola Zalewski down in the area and Robert Lewandowski converted the penalty to send the visitors into the break two goals to the good.
But the hosts weren’t beaten yet. Billy Gilmour pulled a goal back 23 seconds into the second half and Steve Clarke introduced Ben Doak with 20 minutes to go. He slipped Ralston into the box who pulled the ball back to McTominay for the equaliser.
There was still a twist in the tale as Grant Hanley fouled Zalewski inside the box in added time. The Polish forward converted the spot kick and Scotland suffered an undeserved defeat.
Relive the updates and reaction from the Nations League below:
Full-time! Scotland 2-3 Poland
90+8 mins: Scotland’s great comeback is all for nothing after a loose mistake from Grant Hanley afforded Poland a late penalty which was converted.
The visitors have scored all three of their shots on target and they’ve beaten the hosts by one goal. A thrilling and entertaining match comes to an end with Scotland leaving heartbroken.
Mike Jones5 September 2024 21:50
GOAL! Scotland 2-3 Poland (Nicola Zalewski. 90+7’)
90+7 mins: Zalewski steps up to take the spot kick. He nestles it underneath Angus Gunn and Poland take all three points!
Mike Jones5 September 2024 21:44
Scotland 2-2 Poland
Grant Hanley dives in at the wrong moment as Nicola Zalewski dribbles into the box. He takes the man and the referee points to the spot.
Mike Jones5 September 2024 21:43
Scotland 2-2 Poland
90+4 mins: Halfway through added time now and the intensity of the last few minutes has dipped massively. Poland trying to manage the game, Scotland trying to win, neither team getting on top.
Mike Jones5 September 2024 21:41
Scotland 2-2 Poland
90 mins: Eight minutes of added time! Plenty of time for a winning goal.
Mike Jones5 September 2024 21:38
Scotland 2-2 Poland
88 mins: Close! McTominay has a go from range and targets the far bottom corner. He can’t quite wrap his foot around the ball and the effort bobbles wide of the target.
Marcin Bulka seemed to have it covered.
Mike Jones5 September 2024 21:37
Scotland 2-2 Poland
85 mins: Ben Doak goes on a fine run down the right wing and carries the ball into the box. He looks for space to shoot but gets crowded out but three defenders and loses the ball.
Bright stuff from the youngster though.
Mike Jones5 September 2024 21:34
Scotland 2-2 Poland
82 mins: Plenty of changes happening from the Poland bench as fresh legs are needed for them to see out this game. The momentum is all with Scotland though.
Can they make use of it and score again?
Mike Jones5 September 2024 21:29
Scotland 2-2 Poland
79 mins: Just a touch over 10 minutes to play now. Steve Clarke’s changes have helped get Scotland back on level terms. Can they help the hosts go on and win this match?
Mike Jones5 September 2024 21:26
GOAL! Scotland 2-2 Poland (Scott McTominay, 76’)
Ben Doak slips the ball into the right side of the box where Anthony Ralston makes an underlapping run. He collects the ball and pulls it back into the area where Scott McTominay is on hand to turn it into the far bottom corner.
Mike Jones5 September 2024 21:24
