Scotland 2-3 Poland: Stoppage-time penalty sees Scots fall to defeat in Nations League opener

A stoppage-time penalty saw Scotland suffer an agonising late defeat to Poland after a spirited display in their Nations League opener.

Steve Clarke’s side were determined to make up for a disappointing Euro 2024 as they returned to action for the first time.

But it was Poland who took an early lead through Sebastian Szymanski early on, with Robert Lewandowski doubling their lead after Scott McTominay had his equalised disallowed for handball.

The hosts rallied after the break and Billy Gilmour smashed the ball home, before McTominay levelled the match minutes after Ben Doak and Ryan Gauld came on for their international debuts.

But Grant Hanley’s late challenge saw Nicola Zalewski fire home Poland’s second penalty in the 97th minute to leave Clarke’s side without a win in five games.

Scotland now travel to Lisbon to face Portugal on Sunday, while Poland are away to Croatia.

Scots woes continue

It was a bright start for the hosts and McTominay sent a hopeful ball into the box for Dykes just two minutes in, but there was too much on it for the Birmingham striker.

Poland though were then ahead six minutes later when Kenny McLean gave the ball away, allowing Szymanski to burst forward, with his low drive from 25 yards going in off the inside of the post.

Scotland looked to produce an immediate response, but Robertson wasted a free-kick before McTominay sent Ryan Christie’s ball well over the bar.

McTominay then thought he had equalised as he bundled the ball in after Marcin Bulka had saved his header, only for VAR to rule it out for a handball.

The hosts continued to dominate. Christie sent a shot inches wide and McTominay’s low cross was cleared before any onrushing attacker could tap in it.

Dykes then met Christie’s cross at the backvpost but could only send it into the side netting.

A clumsy challenge by Ralston saw Poland double their lead from the penalty spot before the break.

The Celtic defender brought down Nicola Zalewski in the box and Lewandowski made no mistake, sending Angus Gunn the wrong way to make it 84 international goals.

Scotland responded and Gilmour pulled a goal back just after the restart, smashing a low shot through a sea of bodies after Dykes’ effort was cleared.

The Tartan Army found their voice and there was relief when Szymanski’s curling effort went past the post before Scotland threatened again as Bulka denied McTominay.

Dykes had another chance cleared before he went off as Steve Clarke rang the changes. Doak and Gauld made their debuts, with Hearts striker Lawrence Shankland also making an appearance.

And Doak made an instant impact to pull Scotland level, driving into the box to find Ralston, who pulled the ball back to McTominay to side-foot into the net.

But the Tartan Army’s cheers turned to tears deep into stoppage time when Hanley brought down Zalewski in the box.

The Roma player made no mistake as he fired Poland to victory, leaving the Scots with just one win in 13.

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