Scotland heartbreak as Poland snatch Hampden victory

Scotland's first encounter with top-tier Nations League football ended in despair as Nicola Zalewski’s penalty in added time handed Poland an undeserved 3-2 win at Hampden Park.

Sebastian Szymanski’s long-distance strike gave ‎Michal Probierz’s visitors the lead after only eight minutes of the League A Group I opener.

Scott McTominay thought he had levelled in the 23rd minute but referee Glenn Nyberg chalked it off for handball and there was more dismay for the Tartan Army when Poland’s superstar striker Robert Lewandowski netted a penalty to make it 2-0 before the break for his 84th international goal.

However, in a second-half turnaround, Billy Gilmour reduced the deficit after a minute and McTominay grabbed a well-deserved equaliser in the 77th minute.

The home side finished the match strongly but in the sixth minute of eight added on, Grant Hanley fouled Zalewski inside the box and the Pole got up to fire in the winner.

Steve Clarke’s battling side now have to face Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal in Lisbon on Sunday and despite an encouraging performance, will go into the game looking to improve their current record of one win in 13 games.

Scotland’s first match after such a dismal Euro 2024 where they exited with one point from three group-stage games was always going to be heavily scrutinised.

Due to long-term injuries and late withdrawals, Clarke’s squad had a different look to it and there was talk of a freshness to the team.

However, there was a familiarity about the line-up with striker Lyndon Dykes and midfielders Kenny McLean and Ryan Christie in for retired Celtic captain Callum McGregor and injured duo Jack Hendry and Che Adams, with all the potential debutants among the substitutes.

Lewandowski, who had scored twice