UEFA Nations League A Group 1
Scotland v Portugal
Hampden Park, Glasgow
Tuesday, 15 October 2024, kick-off 7.45pm
Scotland will look to bounce back from their agonising defeat to Croatia on Saturday night when they welcome Roberto Martinez’s star-studded Portugal side to Hampden Park.
After VAR cruelly denied the equaliser with the last kick of the ball that Scotland’s performance so richly deserved, Steve Clarke now faces the task of readying them to take on the Group’s top seeds as they aim to put their first points on the board of this campaign in the UEFA Nations League.
Portugal arrive at Hampden with a 100 percent record in the group, but after needing an 88th minute Cristiano Ronaldo goal to take three points against Scotland in Lisbon they will know that they face a battle to continue their unblemished record.
Previous Meetings
The sides have now met on 16 occasions since they first locked horns way back in 1950.
Portugal’s last-ditch victory in Lisbon last month now means they have nine victories to Scotland’s four in the rivalry, with three fixtures ending in stalemate.
September’s fixture saw Scotland go in front early thanks to Scott McTominay’s thumping header, a lead that the Scots held on to until the second half when Bruno Fernandes’ levelled from distance.
Despite a valiant effort, Scotland’s resistance was finally breached when Portugal’s talisman Ronaldo pounced on a delivery from wide for his 901st career goal.
You have to go back more than 40 years for Scotland’s last victory against Portugal, a 4-1 win at Hampden Park thanks to goals from Kenny Dalglish, Andy Gray, Steve Archibald and Archie Gemmill.
Team News
After missing the trip to Croatia while his club assessed his fitness, experienced Celtic winger James Forrest has now withdrawn from the squad, with uncapped Rangers midfielder Connor Barron replacing him.
New call-ups Nicky Devlin, Andy Irving, Liam Lindsay and Jack MacKenzie will be hoping to make their first appearance for the national team after being unused substitutes in Zagreb.
Vice-captain John McGinn is among those absent through injury, along with squad stalwarts Lewis Ferguson, Angus Gunn, Jack Hendry, Aaron Hickey, Scott McKenna, Nathan Patterson, Lawrence Shankland and Kieran Tierney.
Pre-Match Thoughts
Scotland Head Coach Steve Clarke: "It’s a tough moment, no doubt about it, but we believe in ourselves.
"After 20 years in the international wilderness this group has got to two major tournaments and been promoted to the top level of the Nations League, so I don't understand why there would be doubts.
"We have to believe in what we are doing and when I look at the players on the pitch, I believe in what we're doing.
"The players understand where we are in the process and they are ready to go again."
"They understand that we are playing difficult opponents and they understand the squad could be stronger.
"I don’t speak about that too much since we have to concentrate on who we have here. We have to go out against Portugal and we know we have to be good at everything we do in the game."
Where to watch
The match will be streamed free-to-air for viewers in Scotland live with commentary on ViaPlay’s international YouTube, while the Scotland National Team YouTube channel will also stream ViaPlay’s broadcast.