Scotland have pulled off a shock result in tonight's World Cup qualifier, beating Croatia 1-0 in Zagreb.
Gordon Strachan's men restored some national pride picking up their first win of the campaign, despite the fact that they can not qualify for next year's tournament.
The Scots were comfortable throughout the opening half hour, despite claims from their opponents that they wouldn't get out of their half prior to kick off.
They took the lead through Robert Snodgrass after good work from Shaun Maloney, and continued to pass the ball well throughout the first half.
Croatia came back strong after the break, but were unable to really test the visitor's defence and in the end Scotland were well worth their victory.
See how the action unfolded with Sports Mole's live coverage below.
Good evening, and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the World Cup qualifier between Scotland and Croatia.
I fear it is going to be a difficult task for Scotland in Zagreb tonight. Croatia are unbeaten in qualifying, and despite the fact that they'll be missing a couple of players tonight, they are a very strong side.
Let's start with some early team news, seeing as Scotland boss Gordon Strachan has already named his starting XI.
SCOTLAND: McGregor; Hutton, Hanley, Martin, Whittaker; Snodgrass, McArthur, Morrison, Bannan, Maloney; Griffiths
It will be interesting to see how Scotland play this evening. As I mentioned in the introduction, qualification for next year's World Cup is already beyond them, but with the pressure off, they could surprise a few people.
They've got some talented players in their midfield, and Leigh Griffiths, earning his first start tonight after scoring 28 goals this season, will be looking to impress.
That said, Croatia are level on points at the top of the group and are unbeaten so far in qualifying. On top of that, they have a few talented players of their own.
CROATIA: Pletikosa; Strinic, Simunic, Schildenfeld, Srna; Rakitic, Perisic, Kovacic, Sammir; Olic, Mandzukic
The hosts start with Inter Milan youngster Mateo Kovacic in the absence of Luka Modric. Kovacic has more of an eye for goal than Modric and will look to get forward into the penalty area as much as possible.
They've also gone with Ivica Olic alongside Maria Mandzukic in attack, meaning Everton's Nikica Jelavic will have to make do with a place on the bench.
Croatia boss Igor Stimac is obviously in confident mood ahead of this game. He's gone with two strikers, and a very attacking midfield, with Sammir and Rakitic, who also like to join the forwards at every opportunity. I think they will have too much for Scotland tonight, and can see the home team scoring a few goals.
Scotland's best chance will be if they get an early goal. That way they will have something to hang on to and can play on the break. As I said in the introduction, today is all about restoring some pride and building for the future.
Elsewhere in Group A tonight, joint-leaders Belgium face Serbia in what could be a tough match. That should give Croatia even more incentive, as they've got a good chance to that the lead outright.
Interesting to note that Strachan called up Brighton defender Gordon Greer to his squad, and the 32-year-old would have made his debut had it not been for injury. On top of that, Scotland are without Darren Fletcher, Gary Caldwell, Charlie Adam, Steven Fletcher and Kenny Miller through injury, while Kris Commons announced his retirement from international football.
You have to feel that a more youthful approach would benefit the Scots. Their qualifying campaign is over, and it would've been interesting to see a few youngsters in the squad ahead of Euro 2016 qualifying next year. We've seen Wales reap the rewards of budding young talent, with some good results in recent months, including an unlucky 2-1 defeat to Croatia last time out.
Speaking of youngsters, I am looking forward to seeing Kovacic tonight. I mentioned earlier that he will offer the hosts a goal threat in the absence of Modric, but he also has a set of silky skills to bring to the midfield as well as an excellent eye for a pass.
Scotland's biggest threat will come from their midfield as well. Griffiths might have a thankless task up front on his own, but if the likes of Maloney, Morrison and Snodgrass can offer him support, it could bring the Scots some joy.
Just a reminder that this evening's match kicks off at 7.15pm.
Right, probably time for a prediction with kick off fast approaching. I'm going to go for a 3-0 win for Croatia, and to be honest it could be more. Scotland will do well to get a goal or two, and their defence and goalkeeper will have to be at their best to keep the score below two or three.
Away from this game, the England fans amongst you will be keen to know how Poland and Montenegro get on tonight. Poland face Moldova, while the Group H leaders, Montenegro face Ukraine. England need the away side the get a result in that match, or risk facing a play off match to qualify themselves.
The teams are making their way on to the pitch, and are going through the pre-match routine...
A minute of silence is observed before the game, in respect of a Dinamo Zagreb goalkeeper who passed away recently.
Scotland get the game underway...
Croatia immediately gain possession and attack down their left, with Perisic, but after a one-two with Olic, Hutton is able to fire the ball against the midfielder and out for a goal kick.
Scotland being put under real pressure in defence. Olic closes down the goalkeeper before chasing down Whittaker on the left. They eventually force a throw in, but Scotland deal with the danger.
A nice bit of possession for Scotland as Griffiths controls a long pass and plays in Snodgrass, who turns inside to find McArthur. They are forced back but keep the ball through Bannan and Whittaker before winning a free kick.
Scotland again attack well as McArthur and Maloney combine to release Griffiths, who plays the ball wide to Hutton on the right. The full-back cuts inside well but his left-footed shot is charged down and Croatia clear the ball.
Whittaker finds the feet of Griffiths midway in the Croatia half. The striker turns well and is tripped by Simunic. Bannan lays the ball off to Morrison, who shoots wildly over from a long way out.
Rakitic is bundled over on the halfway line by Maloney, before getting up to fire the free kick towards Mandzukic in the box but McGregor claims the ball.
Scotland have started well in Zagreb, they survived a couple of early scares and now seem comfortable in possession. If they can keep finding the feet of Griffiths, they are bound to create a clear chance soon.
McArthur wins the ball off Sammir and sprays it wide to Griffiths, who in turn flicks the ball inside for Snodgrass, but the winger is dispossessed by Kovacic.
Sammir finds space on the right and plays in Rakitic, whose whipped cross is turned behind by Hanley. The defender heads the resulting corner away before Bannan releases Griffiths, but the striker can't quite control the ball.
A very slow tempo has been set by the hosts so far tonight, they're unable to move an organised Scottish team around, and have thus far failed to find their strikers.
Croatia play the ball around in their defence before springing down the right with Srna, who wins a throw out of Bannan in the corner. Rakitic gets the ball and beats Whittaker but Morrison takes the ball off him and clears. Perisic picks up the clearance, 30 yards from goal and shoots high and wide.
Srna plays a one-two from a throw in with Rakitic and beats Whittaker with a lovely piece of skill, before seeing his cross headed behind. Rakitic goes across to take the corner but the referee awards Scotland a free kick.
GOAL! Croatia 0-1 Scotland (Snodgrass)
Wow! Out of nowhere, Maloney bursts from midfield, beating Kovacic and Perisic before his attempted pass ricochets into the path of Snodgrass, who flicks the ball over Pletikosa, injuring the goalkeeper in the process.
The Croatia players are huddled around their manager receiving a team talk, while Pletikosa gets treatment.
It seems that Pletikosa will be carrying on, despite taking a boot in the face during that Scotland goal.
Hutton fires a deep free kick towards Griffiths but the hosts clear and break through Kovacic, but his attempted pass is deflected away for a throw.
It's been a scrappy performance by the home side so far, while Scotland have played confidently, passing the ball whenever they've had the chance.
Griffiths flicks a long ball on to Snodgrass, who bursts past Simunic on the left and wins free kick. Griffiths delivers the ball but Pletikosa catches it easily.
CHANCE! An awful pass back to the goalkeeper from Hanley is almost cut out by Olic. The goalkeeper's clearance deflects to Sammir on the edge of the box but the midfielder can't control his effort and fires over the empty net.
CHANCE! Another good chance for the home side, as Rakitic plays the ball out to Srna on the right before bursting into the box to meet his teammates cross, but his header is flicked just wide.
Perisic finds some space in the Scotland half, and inexplicably shoots from 30 yards rather than playing in Olic, who lets his the midfielder know what he thinks about that.
Croatia put a nice move together as Srna fires the ball into Rakitic, who lays it to Perisic and receives it back before crossing towards the back post. McGregor is there to collect though and Scotland clear.
CHANCE! Sammir plays the ball to Olic, who turns away from Martin with a brilliant dummy, but fires his effort over the bar.
CHANCE! Another big chance for the home side as Kovacic breaks from midfield before playing in Srna on the right. The captain's cross beats McGregor but Martin clears the ball off the toe of Olic at the back post.
YELLOW CARD: McGregor is booked for time wasting, somewhat controversially, and he is far from happy with the referee.
Sammir breaks brilliantly from a Scotland corner, beating Hanley and Martin while running 60 yards, before being brought down by Hutton on the left of the box. Rakitic's delivery is poor though and Scotland clear.
HALF-TIME: Croatia 0-1 Scotland
Well, myself, and a few other people have been proved very wrong by the first half in Zagreb.
Scotland have been very, very good. They've kept the ball confidently, and been organised in defence, and I think that Croatia probably thought that this would be an easy game.
The home side were playing the game at a walking pace prior to the opening goal, but a flurry of late chances in the half is probably a sign of things to come.
Kovacic, has played in a deeper role for Croatia, with Sammir playing at the top of a midfield diamond. The Brazilian-born player has failed to really impress in that first half, and I really think that the home side need to get the Inter Milan youngster into the game. He and Rakitic look most likely to make something happen for Croatia.
For Scotland, it is pretty much same again. They've really impressed me with their possession play in midfield, and their willingness to take the ball in tight areas. It's been difficult to get any real service to Griffiths up front, but the away side have been more than comfortable during that opening 45 minutes.
Croatia's manager will definitely be having strong words with his players after that half, as will their front two, who have had no service whatsoever.
Croatia kick off the second half...
Srna plays it long towards Mandzukic, who heads it down to Olic but he is crowded out and the referee gives nothing. The ball falls to Rakitic 25 yards out, but his dipping effort goes narrowly over.
Srna plays Rakitic through on the right and the midfielder bursts into the box before squaring the ball. Morrison clears but it goes straight to Perisic, who misses the ball completely and Scotland clear.
Sammir picks the ball up in the middle of the Scotland half and floats a good ball towards the back post where Mandzukic is waiting, but he pokes the ball wide on the stretch.
Strinic nicks the ball of Maloney, before being fouled by the Scot. Mandzukic picks it up thought, cutting inside and shooting wide. Croatia have really upped the tempo now and are putting pressure on the Scotland goal.
Srna plays the ball inside the Olic, who turns Whittaker and fires the ball towards goal, but it goes harmlessly over, as Croatia continue to press.
Scotland break and create a chance of their own, as Hutton beats Simunic on the right and flies down the right before chipping the ball to the back post, where Bannan controls well but fires wide.
Croatia struggling to find the gaps in the Scottish defence at the moment, keeping the ball in wide areas, but rarely threatening.
CHANCE! Somehow Mandzukic misses from two yards! Eduardo plays the ball wide to Olic, who fires the ball across the box to Mandzukic, who gets a toe on the ball at the back post but it somehow flies wide.
Sammir plays the ball wide to Strinic, who cuts inside Hutton and gives it back to him but the midfielder's shot is sliced wide of the goal. Croatia look likely to score again.
Another decent chance for the home side as Eduardo breaks and plays the ball right to Rakitic, who chips the ball to the back post where Mandzukic acrobatically fires well over.
SUBSTITUTION: Scotland make a couple of changes, brining on Steven Naismith and Jordan Rhodes, for Bannan and Griffiths respectively.
CHANCE! Kovacic brings the ball forward and plays it wide to Srna, who finds Eduardo free in the box, but the forward's header is straight at McGregor.
SAVE! Scotland holding firm as several balls come into their box, but eventually the home side win a corner. They play it short to Sammir, who finds Kovacic just outside the box but his deflected shot is well-saved by the goalkeeper.
SUBSTITUTION: Another attacking change by the home side as the bring on Kalinic for Strinic.
Hutton beats Olic to the ball and clears but Croatia regain possession on the left. Again Hutton defends well and earns Scotland a throw-in.
SUBSTITUTION: Scotland make their final change, bringing on Craig Conway in place of Maloney.
Croatia break on the left with Olic, who plays it inside to Sammir, who in turn fires it right to Rakitic. The right midfielder whips the ball to the back post but Mandzukic heads over the bar.
YELLOW CARD: McArthur is booked for a cynical body-check on Rakitic as Croatia break.
Kovacic breaks from midfield and nicks the ball of Naismith but his shot from the edge of the box goes wide. Croatia seem to be running out of ideas and Scotland still offer a threat on the break.
Kovacic beats McArthur in midfield and plays it right to Rakitic, but the ball goes out of play. Scotland have just five minutes left to hang on for a famous win.
SUBSTITUTION: Kranjcar comes on for Mandzukic. Croatia have just three minutes left to salvage something from this game.
Scotland seem comfortable now, as they win a throw deep in their opponent's half. Croatia win the ball but can't get out of their own half.
FULL-TIME: Croatia 0-1 Scotland
A fantastic result for Scotland as boos and whistles ring out from the home fans at the final whistle.
I really didn't see that coming, and while Croatia were very poor, take nothing away from Scotland. They stood toe to toe with their opponents, played some good football and defended well.
It's a shame that Scotland have already missed out on qualification, as this is the kind of result that could galvanise them. These players will be looking forward to a friendly against England in August, as well as their remaining fixtures in Group A.
Written by
Daniel Cross
Daniel Cross
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