Scotland v Croatia: Past meetings

SCOTLAND and Croatia have met just four times in the past, boasting an unbeaten record - three draws and the surprise victory in Zagreb earlier this year.

Shaun Maloney is tackled by Luka Modric during the 2008 clash. Picture: Getty

Here, we take a look back at the past four meetings between the sides.

Croatia 1 - 1 Scotland, 11 October 2000

Scotland manager Craig Brown was sent to the stand when the teams first met in a 2002 World Cup qualifier in the Maksimir Stadium in Zagreb. Middlesbrough striker Alen Boksic gave Croatia a 15th-minute lead when he controlled a long ball and guided it past Neil Sullivan. However, Kevin Gallacher converted Colin Cameron’s cross nine minutes later and Scotland saw it out to claim a point after Brown was ordered off for complaining about a series of heavy tackles by Igor Stimac, who now manages Croatia.

Team: Sullivan; Boyd, Naysmith, Elliott, Hendry, Weir, Cameron, Burley, Gallacher, Hutchison, Johnston (Dickov 46)(Holt 90)

Scotland 0 - 0 Croatia, 1 September 2001

Both sides were looking to pull level with Belgium at the top of the World Cup group but a draw left Scotland effectively needing a win in Brussels the following month. Scotland survived some intense early pressure with Sullivan making some good saves, but the home side finished strongly and Billy Dodds had a goal disallowed for offside. Scotland would lose against Belgium as their World Cup hopes disappeared in a game which spelled the end of manager Brown’s reign.

Team: Sullivan, Weir, Naysmith (Gemmill 84), Lambert, Elliott, Matteo, Dailly, Burley, Booth (Dodds 71), Hutchison, McCann (Cameron 51)

Scotland 1 - 1 Croatia, 26 March 2008

George Burley began his tenure as Scotland manager with a friendly draw against Croatia at a sodden Hampden. Croatia started well and Niko Kranjcar fired them ahead in the tenth minute with a swerving drive, but Kenny Miller equalised on the half-hour after latching on to Steven Fletcher’s long ball. Craig Gordon made several good stops and Miller had a header cleared off the line as both sides pushed for a winner.

Team: Gordon, Hutton, Naysmith (McEveley 62), Caldwell (Anderson 70), McManus, Hartley, Fletcher (Alexander 90), Brown (Teale 66), Maloney, Miller, Fletcher (Rae 46)

Croatia 0 - 1 Scotland, 7 June 2013

An under-strength Scotland secured their first victory of their World Cup qualifying campaign with a shock victory in Zagreb. Robert Snodgrass netted the only goal in the 26th minute when he pounced on a loose ball to steer home following positive play by Shaun Maloney. Gordon Strachan was without Scott Brown, James Forrest, Charlie Mulgrew, Gary Caldwell and both Steven and Darren Fletcher, but goalkeeper Allan McGregor was rarely troubled in a superb defensive display.

Team: McGregor, Hutton, Whittaker, Hanley, Martin, Maloney (Conway 75), Morrison, McArthur, Bannan, Snodgrass, Griffiths (Rhodes 64).