Scotland face a fight to keep hold of their League A status as they face Greece over a two-legged play-off. Back-to-back wins over Croatia and then Poland means Steve Clarke's side avoided immediate relegation to League B, but the Greeks will prove a stern test before attentions can turn to qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
Greece won five of their six League B games, including an away victory over England, and have been scoring goals for fun under head coach Ivan Jovanovic. They now have their sights firmly set on promotion as they face the Scots for the first time since 1995.
The first leg is hosted at the Olympic Stadium in Athens, and Scotland will be without young winger Ben Doak, though Che Adams and Lewis Ferguson are back in the fold, first-time call-up George Hirst will be afforded a chance, with experienced pair Scott McTominay and John McGinn in support. Follow the game LIVE below with our dedicated match blog.
Greece vs Scotland latest news
- Kick-off: 7.45pm GMT, Olympic Stadium
- How to watch: BBC Scotland
- Confirmed line-ups
- Score prediction
Full-time!
21:40 , Alex Young97min: There’s the whistle! A narrow yet valuable first-leg lead for the Scots.
The second leg is back at Hampden Park on Sunday.
90min: Five minutes added on.
87min: So the penalty becomes a free kick on the edge of the area.
Three Greece players are standing around the ball, Pelkas takes it and fires it into the wall. Poor effort.
NO PENALTY!
21:29 , Alex Young85min: Was clear as day in real time and on replay. Not sure why that took so long, but the spot kick has been ruled out.
PENALTY TO GREECE!
21:28 , Alex Young84min: VAR will take a look, the foul by Hanley looks outside the box.
81min: Another roll of the dice from Greece as Fountas replaces Ioannidis.
76min: Tierney is on, and so is Hirst for his Scotland debut!
Adams and McLean make way.
75min: Clarke clearly reading the blog in the dugout. Tierney is being prepared.
72min: Pavlidis, Pelkas and Zafeiris replace Konstanelias, Mantalos and Tzolis for Greece.
Still no Scotland change.
POST!
21:12 , Alex Young68min: Greece come close again as Karetsas’s cross bounces back off the far post.
Scotland really hanging on.
64min: Siopis is booked, he’ll now be suspended for Sunday’s second leg.
60min: Scotland are backtracking and backtracking. There’s a long way to go in the tie, guys.
55min: This Karetsas is very eye-catching. Bags of talent, and confidence, as he spins an effort narrowly wide.
NO GOAL
20:55 , Alex Young52min: Second one comes in, a glancing header sends the ball inches wide, Greece flick it back and Tzolis slots home... but the ball was a yard out of play.
51min: Greece corner comes in from Tsimikas, a great delivery from McGinn is force to knock behind.
50min: Greece have started on the front foot and a quite spectacular scissor kick effort from Karetsas, who misses and then urges more noise from the crowd.
Second half
20:49 , Alex Young46min: Back underway and a change for Greece as Masouras is replaced by 17-year-old Karetsas. A debut for the teenager.
I predicted ahead of the game that tonight could be quite tough for Scotland. Not true so far.
Greece have had their moments, and Scotland haven’t always been totally convincing at the back, but the visitors are good value for their lead.
Half-time
20:33 , Alex Young48min: There’s the whistle, just after Tsimikas bends a free kick just over the crossbar.
45min: Adams flashes a shot wide. Scotland looking so dangerous, they won’t want the half-time whistle to come.
Two minutes added on.
CHANCE!
20:29 , Alex Young43min: Adams has to score!
A nightmare for keeper Tzolakis, who sends a clearance straight to the Scotland man inside the area but he’s on the half turn and doesn’t look up so his shot is weak.
Goal was gaping.
42min: Scotland want another penalty as Gilmour takes a tumble in the area as he winds up for a shot. It’s pressure from Tsimikas, but it looks soft.
40min: Masouras with a speculative effort from 35 yards. Gordon hasn’t had too much to do this half.
35min: Ferguson runs through, fails to beat the keeper to the ball and then almost tries to slap it out of his hands. He gets a talking to from the ref.
GOAL!
20:18 , Alex Young32min: VAR check and clear the foul, which looked very clumsy on an off-balance McTominay.
McTominay picks himself up and sends the keeper the wrong way.
PENALTY TO SCOTLAND!
20:17 , Alex Young30min: McTominay tripped by Rota!
29min: Turning into quite an end-to-end game now as Greece see a chance go begging as Masouras goes close.
CHANCE!
20:13 , Alex Young27min: Panic in the area as the corner comes in, drops at the feet of McTominay, who takes one swipe at the ball, his shot is blocked and then another while off balance spins wide.
26min: Another great move by Scotland as McGinn sends Adams scampering down the right and his low cross towards Ferguson wins a corner.
21min: Scotland appear to have weathered that brief Greece storm. They are starting to build momentum.
19min: Robertson takes, but it’s straight into the keeper’s arms.
18min: A first corner for Scotland as Ferguson’s diagonal run into the area forces a clearance.
15min: Greece really starting to push now, a couple of great opportunities as first Hanley doesn’t brilliantly to head a cross away from Konstantelias and then Tsmikas appeals for a penalty when tripped during the follow-up.
12min: Robertson gets down the left for the first time and fizzes in a brilliant cross, but there’s not a team-mate on the end of it.
9min: Mantalos with a lovely dink over the top for Ioannidis into the area, but Souttar doesn't brilliantly to back back on side and shepherd the ball out for a goal kick.
6min: Plenty of neat, smart passing from Scotland without yet penetrating the defence. A wayward pass from Gilmour sees the latest move break down.
3min: Quite a frantic start from both teams, Scotland particularly lively.
Kick-off!
19:46 , Alex Young1min: Up and running in Athens.
This is the first campaign promotion and relegation has been decided by play-offs. It should be an intriguing two legs.
Right, here come the players!
Steve Clarke on team selection
19:35 , Alex Young“I was tempted to go to a back five but decided to stick with the four. There was a couple of things behind it. The four, over the group phase, was good, we created a bit more and had more midfielders on the pitch.
“The other thing was, it was quite a quick start [playing on Thursday]. The only time I had with the players was Wednesday before we flew. We stuck with what we worked with over the previous six games.”
The teams are back in their dressing rooms. Not long now.
Steve Clarke on Greek atmosphere
19:19 , Alex Young"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."
Team news
19:07It's a fairly predicted line-up from Steve Clarke, who names his usual back four and the midfield trio of Gilmour, McTominay and McLean are back in.
There are returns for Ferguson and Adams, while Gordon wins his 80th cap.
West Ham’s Mavropanos and Liverpool’s Tsmikias start for Greece.
Team news in full
18:48 , Alex YoungGreece XI: Tzolakis, Rota, Mavropanos, Koulierakis, Tsimikas; Mantalos, Siopis, Masouras, Konstantelias, Tzolis, Ioannidis
Scotland XI: Gordon, Ralston, Souttar, Hanley, Robertson, Gilmour, McLean, McGinn, McTominay, Ferguson, Adams
Greece XI
18:40 , Alex Young...and the hosts!
🇬🇷 OFFICIAL: Greece's starting XI vs Scotland is out!#GRESCO| #Ethniki | #Greece | #NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/A6GU3AvMON
— Hellas Football (@HellasFooty) March 20, 2025
Scotland XI
18:32 , Alex YoungHere it is!
📰 Team news.#GRESCO pic.twitter.com/6KT4ckRJGo
— Scotland National Team (@ScotlandNT) March 20, 2025
Teams news with us shortly.
We’re here. We’re ready.#GRESCO pic.twitter.com/UfboOCC064
— Scotland National Team (@ScotlandNT) March 20, 2025
Score prediction
18:21 , Alex YoungI think tonight could be quite tough for Scotland. It’s a new year and one which brings the start of World Cup qualification, but the momentum is all with Greece heading into the game and they have a fearsome home record.
The tie will still be in the balance ahead of Sunday’s second leg, and I think Scotland won’t be too displeased with a one-goal deficit.
Greece to win, 2-1.
Steve Clarke on George Hirst
18:00 , Alex Young"George is somebody that we've had in mind for a few months. I've watched him recently. He's a player that would help to give us more depth to that position."
Scotland team news
17:49 , Alex YoungScotland have given George Hirst a first call-up after he successfully switched allegiances from England, who he presented at youth level.
It is hoped he is the answer to Scotland's striker woes, though may not be thrown straight in tonight. Instead, Che Adams is back in the fold and could get the nod.
Midfield duo John McGinn and Scott McTominay will start further back, with Lewis Ferguson again in contention after a serious knee injury to start.
Match odds
17:44 , Alex YoungThe bookies are expecting Greece to continue their fine form in 2025.
- Greece – 19/20
- Draw – 9/4
- Scotland – 3/1
(Odds provided by Betway.)
How to Greece vs Scotland
17:26 , Alex YoungTV channel: Greece vs Scotland is being broadcast live on BBC One Scotland, with coverage starting at 7pm GMT ahead of a 7:45pm kick-off.
Live stream: The game can also be viewed live online via the BBC Sport website and BBC iPlayer.
Welcome
17:15 , Alex YoungGood evening and welcome to the London Standard’s LIVE coverage of the first leg of the Nations League play-off between Greece and Scotland.
A place in League A is on the line, with the loser either remaining (Greece) or being relegated into (Scotland) League B.
Kick-off is at 7.45pm. Stick with us.
