Scotland’s hopes of staying in the top tier of the Nations League ended in disappointment as they were defeated 3-0 by Greece at home, losing the crucial play-off with a 3-1 score on aggregate.
From First-Leg Advantage to Final Blow
Scotland came into the second leg with a 1-0 lead from their first-leg win in Athens. Hopes were high, especially with the home crowd behind them, but Greece turned the tables with a powerful and energetic performance.
Manager Steve Clarke kept almost the same line-up from the first leg, making only one change—Ryan Christie returned from suspension, replacing Lewis Ferguson.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The match began positively for Scotland. They were aggressive in the opening minutes, with Che Adams calling for a penalty after a challenge in the box. Scott McTominay had two early chances—one saved and another that deflected into the side netting.
But Greece soon settled into the game and made their first big impact after 20 minutes. Georgios Vagiannidis made a sharp run down the right wing and sent the ball into the box. Giannis Konstantelias was left unmarked and calmly slotted the ball past Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon, tying the match on aggregate.
Greek Dominance Before Half-Time
Scotland tried to respond quickly. John McGinn tested the Greek goalkeeper Kostas Tzolakis after a setup by McTominay. But the visitors continued to control the game and pressed harder with more energy.
Their efforts paid off just before half-time. Konstantelias provided another key pass inside the box, this time to 17-year-old Konstantinos Karetskas. The young star made no mistake and lifted the ball into the top corner, putting Greece ahead 2-1 on aggregate.
Second-Half Nightmare
Scotland’s second-half hopes were dashed almost immediately. Within just 15 seconds of the restart, Ryan Christie lost possession with a poor pass. Konstantelias capitalized on the mistake and quickly assisted Christos Tzolis, who scored Greece’s third goal of the night, making it 3-1 on aggregate.
Despite several substitutions and continued effort from the Scots, they could not find a way back into the game. The home crowd grew frustrated, and the mood turned sour as time ticked away without any sign of a comeback.
Relegation Confirmed
When the final whistle blew, Scotland’s relegation from League A of the Nations League was confirmed. As the players walked off the pitch, they were met with loud boos from the disappointed home fans at Hampden Park.
Looking Ahead
The 3-1 aggregate loss means that Scotland will now play in League B when the Nations League returns next year. After such a promising start, this defeat will surely raise tough questions about what went wrong and how the team can bounce back from this setback.
