Greece vs Scotland LIVE: Result and reaction from Nations League relegation play-off first leg
Greece 0-1 Scotland: The visitors survived long spells of pressure to take a lead back to Hampden
Scotland survived an onslaught from Greece in Athens as Scott McTominay’s first-half penalty proved enough to take a one-goal lead back to Hampden in their Nations League relegation play-off.
A contentious penalty call went Scotland’s way and McTomimay picked himself up after colliding into Lazaros Rota in the box to calmly dispatch the spot-kick. Scotland deserved their lead at the break and could have doubled their lead, with Che Adams twice going close.
Greece dominated after the restart and the introduction of 17-year-old winger Konstantinos Karetsas led to waves of pressure. The teenager set up Christos Tzolis with an excellent cross but the forward hit the post from two yards as Scotland looked to hang on to their lead.
And Scotland survived another scare as Greece were awarded a late penalty, only for VAR to come to the rescue and overturn the decision as Grant Hanley was outside the box when he fouled.
Only England, Spain and Netherlands had won in Greece in the last two years, but Scotland join the list and take the advantage back to Glasgow as they look to maintain their top-tier status in the Nations League in the second leg on Sunday.
Follow reaction from the Nations League play-off between Scotland and Greece, below
Greece 0-1 Scotland
75 mins: Kieran Tierney is back in blue. The full-back makes his first Scotland appearance since his injury against Switzerland at Euro 2024.
George Hirst is also on for his debut. He replaces Adams and Tierney replaces McLean. He will double up with Robertson on the left wing.
Greece 0-1 Scotland
72 mins: A triple change for Greece, with Tzolis one of those coming off. Pavlidis, Zafeiris , and Pelkas are on .
Steve Clarke has yet to turn to his bench.
Oh, hang on, they are coming now.
Greece 0-1 Scotland
68 mins: OFF THE POST! Scotland survive a big scare. Karetsas sweeps a cross into the box and finds Tzolis at the back post, but he hits the frame of the goal from two yards out! Greece go again and Tzolis’ shot is deflected wide off Hanley, but that could have gone anywhere.
Scotland are really riding their luck.
Greece 0-1 Scotland
66 mins: Nice play from Gilmour to set up McGinn. He sees the goal from 30 yards out and tries his luck, but can’t keep his effort down.
Greece 0-1 Scotland
65 mins; A rare attack for Scotland. McTominay looks for Robertson’s run into the box but the Greece full-back Rota recovers. His clearance actually rebounds off Robertson and lands back at goalkeeper Tzolakis.
Greece 0-1 Scotland
61 mins: Some time on the ball for Scotland at last. McGinn holds up the ball well and gets Scotland into the Greece half for the first time since the restart.
Greece 0-1 Scotland
59 mins: Scotland have everyone behind the ball. It’s surely too deep for this stage of the match. McTominay blocks a shot from Tzolis and from the corner, Mavropanos heads wide.
Greece 0-1 Scotland
55 mins: This could be a long half for Scotland if Greece keep this up. Suddenly everything is going through the teenager Karetsas. He sizes up Robertson but bends a left-footed shot over the bar.
Then Tzolis cuts in from the left and shoots wide. Scotland need to put a foot on it.
Greece 0-1 Scotland
53 mins: Another dangerous attack from Greece, who have started really well in this second half. Hanley clears and then Koulierakis rolls a pass out of play.
Scotland try to slow things down as Gordon takes the goalkick.
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