Scotland 3-1 Greece
FIFA World Cup Qualifying
Thursday, 9th October 2025
Hampden Park, Glasgow

Scorers

Scotland 3 (Ryan Christie 64’, Lewis Ferguson 80’, Lyndon Dykes 90+3’)

Greece 1 (Kostas Tsimikas 62’)

Team News

Steve Clarke made three changes to the side that picked up a 2-0 victory over Belarus last time out. Grant Hanley, Aaron Hickey and Ryan Christie returned to the starting lineup, replacing Scott McKenna, Max Johnston and Billy Gilmour.

There was a landmark cap for John McGinn who took his place in the starting eleven to make his 80th Scotland appearance.

As It Happened

Scotland got proceedings underway in front of a rowdy home crowd as they looked to back up two positive results last month with a home victory.

Greece began strongly early on, forcing a nervy moment for the Tartan Army when Aaron Hickey chested the ball down for Gunn to claim from a Giorgos Masouras cross, with Christos Tzolis almost nipping in in front of the Scotland number 1.

The away side continued to pile on the pressure and almost took the lead in the 8th minute. Tzolis slipped Tasos Bakasetas in on the left who squared it across the face looking for Vangelis Pavlidis, though the Benfica striker, with the goal gaping, somehow failed to connect as the ball travelled out for a Scotland throw in.

Six minutes later and the away side unleashed another shot at the Scotland goal, this time following a corner, the ball dropped to Kostas Tsimikas who fortunately for the Scots, fired high and wide of target on the half volley.

Scotland gained a foothold in the game after that Tsimikas chance, though it was Greece that continued to offer more in the attacking third. Claims for a foul on Scott McTominay were waved away as Masouras was released on the right wing. The winger picked out Pavlidis whose deflected effort ended up being saved comfortably by Gunn.

Despite both sides best efforts, referee Espen Eskas sounded the half time whistle with the scores locked at 0-0.

The second half begun and within the opening minute Greece squandered a huge chance to open the scoring with Pavlidis heading over the top from a Tsimikas cross.

Scotland’s first chance of the half fell to Grant Hanley soon afterwards in the 53rd minute as he headed off target from an Andy Roberston set piece.

Moments later in the 54th minute and the away side created arguably their best chance of the match so far. Quick feet from Tzolis on the edge saw the ball make its way to Pavlidis who laid it on a plate for Masouras, but the winger could only fire over the bar for a goal kick.

Steve Clarke turned to his bench for the first time in the 58th minute as Billy Gilmour and Anthony Ralston replaced Ben Gannon-Doak and the injured Aaron Hickey.

Greece opened the scoring in the 62nd minute when Tsimikas expertly followed up Pavlidis’ blocked effort, firing the visitors in front just after the hour mark.

Scotland responded perfectly, when two minutes after going behind, Hanley nodded the ball down for Christie, with the Bournemouth man making no mistake with the finish as he slotted past Tzolakis to equalise.

The Scots were inspired by the Christie equaliser, coming close to taking the lead in the 75th minute with Che Adams firing wide from a Billy Gilmour free kick.

Scotland were handed another free kick, this time to the right of the Greek penalty area in the 80th minute, with which they made perfect use of. Robertson’s in-swinging cross caused all sorts of havoc in the penalty box with Lewis Ferguson being on hand to poke home for his first Scotland goal.

Lyndon Dykes and Kieran Tiereny were thrown into the action with just shy of ten minutes remaining as Steve Clarke looked to consolidate the 2-1 scoreline. They replaced Che Adams and Scotland’s first goalscorer, Ryan Christie.

The away side threw everything at the Scots in search for an equaliser, with substitute Konstantinos Karetsas forcing a terrific diving save from Angus Gunn.

Minutes later and Lyndon Dykes sent Hampden Park into raptures as his pressure forced an error from Tzolakis, gifting the ball to the big striker who fired home into an empty net to seal a famous comeback victory.

Next Up

Scotland are in action once again this Sunday as they host Belarus at Hampden Park, with Steve Clarke’s side looking to make it two home wins from two home games in the FIFA World Cup Qualifying campaign.  

Teams

Scotland: Gunn, Hickey (Ralston 58’), Robertson (McKenna 90+2’), McTominay, Hanley, McGinn, Adams (Dykes 83’), Christie (Tierney 83’), Souttar, Gannon-Doak (Gilmour 58’), Ferguson

Unused Substitutes: Kelly, Gordon, Hendry, Miller, Hirst, Bowie, McLean

Greece: Tzolakis, Vagiannidis, Koulierakis, Mavropanos, Kourbelis (Mantalos 83’), Masouras (Ioannidis 72’), Tzolis, Bakasetas (Konstantelias 72’), Pavlidis (Karetsas 72’), Zafeiris (Mouzakitis 83’), Tsimikas

Unused Substitutes: Vlachodimos, Mandas, Michailidis, Douvikas, Rota, Giannoulis, Siopis