When did Scotland last beat Portugal? Scotland v Portugal head to head record, Scotland's last win

Scotland welcome Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal to their Hampden Park home this Tuesday as they go in search of their first Nations League win of the campaign.

Steve Clarke’s side extended their winless run in competitive games to nine at the weekend with defeat to Croatia on Saturday. Ryan Christie’s first-half opener had put Scotland in the driving seat, but it was cancelled out by strikes from Igor Matanović and Andrej Kramarić either side of the break in Zagreb as the hosts took all three Nations League points.

The Tartan Army are now on their longest run without a competitive win in their history (9), losing four consecutive games for the first time in over five years. More frustratingly, Scotland have now dropped six points from winning positions in their current Nations League campaign, which is more than any other team in the competition.

Can they halt their winless run by toppling Portugal in Glasgow’s southside this week? If you’re looking for inspiration, here is everything you need to know about the history of Scotland vs Portugal:

Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal head to Hampden Park to face Scotland in Nations League action on Tuesday. Cr: SNS Group. | SNS Group

What is Scotland’s head to head record against Portugal?

The two nations have faced each other a total of 16 times, playing each other nine times in competitive fixtures and seven times in international friendlies.

Scotland currently sit on four wins, giving them a 25% win percentage. However, Portugal have beaten Scotland nine times and hold a 56.25% win percentage. A further three games have ended in draws.

What was the score the last time Scotland played Portugal at Hampden?

The last time the two sides played other was just last month, when goals from Bruno Fernandes and Cristiano Ronaldo cancelled out Scott McTominay early opener and handed Portugal all three Nations League points.

The last clash between the sides at Hampden Park came almost exactly six years ago, with Alex McLeish’s Scotland lost 3-1 to Portugal in an international friendly on Sunday 14 October 2018. Helder Costa opened the scoring for the visitors just before the half-time break, before Eder and Bruma heaped on the misery in the second half. Steven Naismith would grab a 93rd-minute consolation goal for the hosts.

John McGinn in action for Scotland against Portugal in 2018. Cr: SNS Group. | SNS Group

When was the last time Scotland beat Portugal?

If Clarke and his squad are looking for inspiration, they’ll have to go back 44 years for their last win against Portugal. It has been 16,274 days since the Tartan Army last celebrated victory against Portugal, when goals from Kenny Dalglish (6), Andy Gray (26), Steve Archibald (68) and Archie Gemmill (84) secured a commanding 4-1 victory at Hampden Park in a UEFA Euro 1980 qualifier at Hampden Park. Fernando Gomes would score Portugal’s consolation.

It was one of just three Scotland wins during that qualifying campaign, with Jock Stein’s side finishing in fourth place in Group 2, six points ahead of Norway. Portugal didn’t fare much better either, failing to qualify themselves after finishing in third place. Belgium would top the group, with Austria in second.

Scotland line up that night: Alan Rough, George Burley, Danny McGrain, Dave Narey, Alex McLeish. Alan Hansen, Kenny Dalglish (Steve Archibald), Graeme Souness, Andy Gray, Archie Gemmill, John Robertson (David Provan).

Scotland vs Portugal last 5 results

8 September 2024: Portugal 2-1 Scotland (Nations League 2024)

14 October 2018: Scotland 1-3 Portugal (Friendly)

20 November 2002: Portugal 2-0 Scotland (Friendly)

28 April 1993: Portugal 5-0 Scotland (World Cup 1994 Qualifier)

14 October 1992: Scotland 0-0 Portugal (World Cup 1994 Qualifier)