The victory was Scotland's first in a competitive match since September 2023, when they beat Cyprus 3-0 in Euro 2024 qualifying. They had gone 10 games without a competitive victory since then, drawing four and losing six, including a return of just one point from three outings at Euro 2024.

Portugal are already through to the quarter-finals as group winners having won four and drawn one. Scotland will finish second in the group and be in Pot 1 for the World Cup Qualifying draw if we win in Poland AND Portugal win in Croatia...as long as one of the following three outcomes come to pass.

- 5 Scotland will be relegated if they do not win. Poland are unable to reach the quarter-finals, but they will still have the incentive against Scotland. If the Poles avoid defeat at the Kazimierz Górski National Stadium they will enter the League A/B play-off. Otherwise Poland will be relegated.

John McGinn keeps Scotland’s Nations League hopes alive with winner against 10-man Croatia - Scotland 1-0 Croatia: The Aston Villa captain scored the only goal in the 86th minute.

Scotland are back in action at Hampden on Friday night as they begin the Nations League double-header that will decide their fate in the UEFA competition and set the tone for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. Steve Clarke’s side face Croatia at the national stadium before heading to Poland for their final group game in Warsaw on Monday.

Scotland must take points off Croatia in their clash at Hampden Park if they have any chance of avoiding relegation from League A in the Nations League. Steve Clarke’s men suffered three straight defeats in this campaign but a goalless draw with Portugal gave them hope of pulling off a surprising survival.