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
Steve Clarke wants Scotland to embrace Athens atmosphere
Steve Clarke believes Scotland can build on their victory over Poland in Warsaw as they face Greece away from home in tonight’s first leg.
"You've got to come here and enjoy this type of occasion, this type of atmosphere. We're used to it. We've played against good teams away from home before.
"Recently we've had a couple of good results away from home. Hopefully we can get another one here. It's always good for the players to play in a strong atmosphere, to enjoy it."
Scotland team news: Lots of midfielders
Steve Clarke sticks with the back four despite Kieran Tierney’s return, with Andy Robertson continuing at left back and Grant Hanley and John Souttar the centre-back pair. Anthony Ralston starts at right back.
The midfield is familiar with Napoli’s Billy Gilmour and Scott McTominay joining Clarke favourite Kenny McLean.
There’s a welcome return for Lewis Ferguson, who plays with John McGinn behind lone striker Che Adams. Craig Gordon, 42, continues in goal.
There’s not of a lot of width in the team with Ben Doak’s absence being felt.
Scotland team to play Greece
Scotland XI: Gordon; Ralston, Souttar, Hanley, Robertson; Gilmour, McLean, McTominay; Ferguson, McGinn; Adams
📰 Team news.#GRESCO pic.twitter.com/6KT4ckRJGo
— Scotland National Team (@ScotlandNT) March 20, 2025
Greece's impressive campaign
Greece are seeking promotion to League A after winning five of their six group matches in League B, including a victory over England at Wembley.
England responded with their own win in Athens - but Greece’s only other defeats in the past two years have been against France, Germany and the Netherlands.
A rare meeting between Scotland and Greece
Scotland have only played Greece twice, which both came during qualifying for Euro 96, with the Hampden encounter seeing Ally McCoist head the only goal which was enough to secure a place in the finals.
How did Scotland end up in a Nations League play-off?
After the disaster of Euro 2024, Scotland lost their first three matches of their Nations League campaign, beaten 3-2 by Poland, 2-1 by Portugal and 2-1 by Croatia.
The scorelines were close, and Steve Clarke insisted that an upturn in results was not far away, and so it proved after Scotland ended their losing run by drawing 0-0 with Portugal.
Scotland then left it late to beat Croatia at Hampden and then almost snuck through to the quarter-finals thanks to Andy Robertson’s 93rd-minute winner in Warsaw.
What is the Scotland team news?
Kieran Tierney and Lewis Ferguson return to the Scotland squad after injuries, but Steve Clarke will be without winger Ben Doak and striker Lyndon Dykes.
Motherell’s Lennon Miller, Hearts’ James Wilson and Ipswich’s George Hirst are the new faces in the squad and could all win their first caps.
Craig Gordon, 42, should continue in goal but Tierney’s return could see a return to 3-5-2 in an attempt to get the full-back and Andy Robertson both involved.
Ryan Christie is in great form for Bournemouth and adds to midfield options Billy Gilmour, Scott McTominay, Lewis Ferguson and Kenny McLean. John McGinn could play off Che Adams up front
How can I watch Greece vs Scotland?
The first leg of the Nations League play-off will be shown live on BBC One and iPlayer, with coverage starting from 7pm GMT. Kick-off in Athens is at 7:45pm on Thursday 20 March.
Good evening
Scotland team face Greece in a Uefa Nations League relegation play-off as the men’s national team’s matches return to free-to-air TV.
The Tartan Army take on Greece over two legs as they look to avoid relegation from Nations League A, having finished behind Portugal and Croatia in their group and narrowly missing out on the quarter-finals.
Greece finished runners-up to England in their League B group, so are vying for promotion into the top-tier. An impressive campaign for them included a victory over England at Wembley and they will host the first leg.
Follow all the build-up before kick-off in Athens.
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