A spirited second half comeback from Scotland wasn’t enough to lift the mood at Hampden Park as a last gasp penalty saw them crash to 3-2 defeat against Poland in their Nations League opener.
Goals from Sebastian Szymański (8) and Robert Lewandowski (45 pen) had given the visitors a commanding half-time lead but strikes from Billy Gilmour (46) and Scott McTominay (76) looked like it had secured a point until Nicola Zewalski’s penalty (97) broke Tartan Army hearts.
Despite talk of freshening up the squad, Steve Clarke opted to change little in terms of personnel, though he dumped his usual back three in favour of a back four, while the returning Lyndon Dykes replaced the injured Che Adams up-front after he sat out Euro 2024 with an injury of his own.
The switch in formation helped little though, as a combination of errors from Kenny McLean to Billy Gilmour saw the latter lose the ball too easily, before a neat spin from Lewandowsi released Szymański to fire a 20-yard drive beyond Angus Gunn after just eight minutes. McTominay looked to have put Scotland level on 24 minutes but Hampden joy was short-lived when the goal was disallowed for a clear handball.
Poland would double their lead stroke of half-time when a needless foul from Anthony Ralston allowed Lewandowski to add to his Hampden Park haul (now three in his last three) from the penalty spot, though Gilmour would reduce the deficit seconds into the second period and McTominay would complete the comeback with just under 15 minutes left on the clock.
There was one final sting in the tail as Grant Hanley needlessly gave away a last gasp penalty that resulted in Scotland slumping to 97th minute loss.
Despite talk of freshening up the squad, Steve Clarke opted to change little in terms of personnel, though he dumped his usual back three in favour of a back four, while the returning Lyndon Dykes replaced the injured Che Adams up-front after he sat out Euro 2024 with an injury of his own.
5. Andy Robertson - 6
Had some good driving runs early on in the game, but wasn't able to attack as fluently as he is usually able to when he plays as a wing-back. His final ball often let him down, but he was one of Scotland's more effective players on the night. | SNS Group Photo: SNS Group
6. Kenny McLean - 5
Gave Hampden an early scare when he almost lost the ball on the edge of his own box, before his poor pass played a huge part in Poland's opener. Never got going all night really. | SNS Group
7. Billy Gilmour - 7
Lost the ball too easily for the opener, though the pass from McLean was poor. Really helped drag Scotland back into it with a well taken goal in the second period though. A mentality monster, he didn't let the mistake for the first goal affect him. | SNS Group
8. John McGinn - 6
Another fairly quiet game for the Aston Villa star. So often Scotland's talisman, he only showed flashes of his quality tonight and seems to be a little out of form for the national side, by his high standards. | SNS Group