Steve Clarke and Scotland had suffered what seemed an interminable wait for this. Seventeen months had passed between the win over Georgia and this late show against Croatia. In that period, Scotland had not tasted victory at Hampden Park.
The wider, ominous record sat at one win in 16 games until John McGinn stepped from among Clarke’s substitutes to break the resistance of 10-man Croatia. McGinn may have earned the points but this was the night Ben Doak came of age on the international scene. The 19-year-old has captivated the Tartan Army. “He was good,” said Clarke with a smile. “I thought he might be.”
Related: Scotland v Croatia: Nations League – live
Weeks after Cristiano Ronaldo was reduced to ranting and raving on the south side of Glasgow, another icon of international football was left with a bloody nose by Scotland. Luka Modric and Croatia played from the 43rd minute with reduced number, the consequence of Petar Sucic’s rashness. Modric didn’t scream and shout in Ronaldo fashion – that is hardly his style – but Croatia were left visibly sore that such effort, and first half control, proved in vain.
Scottish patience won the day in a scratchy contest, leaving them with aspirations of remaining at the top table in this competition after all. Suddenly Monday’s trip to face Poland has huge meaning. Scotland even have a chance of finishing second in Group A1, which would leave them in Pot 1 for the World Cup qualifying draw. Gulp.
“First job is to go there and win,” said Clarke of Warsaw. “It is in our own hands. I think we can play better. The players have worked ever so hard in a lot of games this year and not had the reward. We have been building with performances and things fell in our favour tonight.”
A criticism that routinely surrounds the Scotland manager is that he is overly loyal or hesitant towards change. Clarke contradicted that sense by handing Tommy Conway a first start in attack. Scotland kept faith with Doak. More striking was that McGinn, a mainstay of Clarke’s Scotland, was left among the substitutes.
A low key opening, which Croatia controlled, was notable for Luka Sucic blazing well over Craig Gordon’s crossbar before the veteran Scotland goalkeeper produced a terrific save to deny Andrej Kramaric. Gordon looked to be falling in the wrong direction before sticking out his right leg to divert the shot wide. Gordon turns 42 next month, meaning Modric was in the rare position of sharing a pitch with someone older than him.
Scotland’s forwards had been peripheral until some dazzling wing play from Doak. The youngster left Josko Gvardiol stranded before cutting back to Scott McTominay. The Napoli man’s low drive was batted away by Dominik Kotarski. Gvardiol repaid Doak for his impudence by nutmegging him at the next available opportunity.
Gordon prevented Luka Sucic from sending the visitors in front with an outrageous, dipping half volley from 22 yards. Ripples of excitement could be heard throughout Hampden whenever Doak picked up the ball. Before the break, there were cheers. Petar Sucic, already on a yellow card following a foul on Billy Gilmour, clattered into John Souttar on the halfway line. Zlatko Dalic, the manager, remonstrated with the officials at half-time. Modric was similarly unamused. Croatian anger would have been better directed towards their own player. “The red card changed the whole game,” said Dalic afterwards. “It was not deserved.”
Scotland should have made numerical advantage count within 10 minutes of the restart. Instead, Doak was wasteful having been sent clear by Gilmour. Doak tried to play in Conway but with no conviction. Gilmour was soon even more profligate, failing to spot and play in Doak before he blazed high and wide. Clarke, having seen enough, sent for McGinn alongside Ryan Gauld and Lyndon Dykes shortly after the hour mark. Croatia looked content at this point to settle for a draw; the Scots were struggling to offer evidence they could snatch a win.
Ivan Perisic almost added to Scottish frustration. From a sublime Modric pass, the forward outsmarted Anthony Ralston. Perisic flicked past the onrushing Gordon but the ball bounced narrowly wide of the goalkeeper’s left-hand post. Scotland breathed again.
Clarke’s team looked in danger of running out of ideas when McGinn stepped forward, notching his 19th international goal with four minutes to play. Doak was unsurprisingly involved, his run and cross leading to Kotarski only palming the ball back towards danger. McGinn battered the loose ball, leading to the marquee moment of this Nations League for Clarke and his players.
The manager’s faith in Doak and use of McGinn had been fully justified. Croatia lacked the energy to respond, Gordon securing back-to-back clean sheets. Having faced Ronaldo and Modric, this is no mean feat. Robert Lewandowski is injured. Three from three?
