Scotland were relegated to Nations League B as they fell to a 3-0 defeat to Greece in the second leg of their relegation play-off on Sunday night.
The hosts started off well at Hampden Park and created some early chances but were sucker-punched in the 20th minute when Giannis Konstantelias swept in a good finish to level the tie.
It remained an even match as half-time approached but it was Greece who struck again to take the lead, with a well-worked move ending in Konstantinos Karetsas curling an inch-perfect finish into the top corner.
Scotland desperately needed to regroup at the break but started the second half in the worst possible way, as Greece got forward quickly and Christos Tzolis’ accomplished finish effectively ended the tie.
From there it was all too comfortable for Greece and too pedestrian from the hosts, as Scotland fell to relegation with a disappointing showing to end the 24/25 season.
Follow all the latest updates with our live blog below:
Scotland vs Greece LIVE
- Scotland take on Greece in their Nations League play-off, trying to stay in League A
- Scott McTominay's goal gives Scots a 1-0 advantage ahead of second leg
- Steve Clarke insists his team will aim to win the game and not rest on their lead
- 46' GOAL! Tzolis sweeps in accomplished finish to extend the lead [SCO 0-2 GRE, 1-3agg]
- 43' GOAL! Karetsas scores brilliant goal to give Greece the lead [SCO 0-2 GRE, 1-2agg]
- 20' GOAL! Greece level the tie as Konstantelias sweeps in great finish [SCO 0-1 GRE, 1-1agg]
- Scotland XI: Gordon; Ralston, Souttar, Hanley Robertson; Gilmour, McLean; McGinn, McTominay, Christie; Adams.
- Greece XI: Tzolakis, Vagiannidis, Mavropanos, Koulierakis, Giannoulis; Mouzakitis, Zafeiris; Konstantelias, Karetsas, Tzolis; Pavlidis.
Scotland’s World Cup Group
19:20 , Chris WilsonScotland will find out the final opponent for their World Cup group later tonight, as it will be the loser of the Nations League quarter-final between Denmark and Portugal – the Danes are currently 1-0 up in that.
Greece and Belarus are the other sides in Group C.
Next up
19:10 , Chris WilsonScotland’s next matches come in the form of two summer friendlies, as Steve Clarke’s side face Iceland at Hampden on 6 June and then Liechtenstein away on 9 June.
After that, the Scots have to wait until September to start their qualifying campaign for the 2026 World Cup, with the first game in that process coming away to either Denmark or Portugal.
FULL-TIME! Scotland 0-3 Greece
19:01 , Chris WilsonIt’s a sobering night for the Scots as they are relegated to Nations League B after a performance that started off promising but was too error-strewn and lacking in attacking quality to ever really threaten the Greeks.
FULL-TIME! Scotland 0-3 Greece
18:55 , Chris WilsonTierney tries from distance and does force the save, but that’s the closest Scotland have come this half.
The referee blows the final whistle and that is that as boos ring around Hampden.
A disappointing night for Scotland as Greece turn it around.
Scotland 0-3 Greece
18:54 , Chris Wilson90 +3 mins
A decent cross from Hirst causes a problem initially but once again it’s dealt with too easily, with no Scotland pressure.
Gordon then gives it away straight to a free man, but the attempted lob flies over.
Scotland 0-3 Greece
18:51 , Chris Wilson90 +1 mins
Tierney’s long throw causes some hesitation among the Greece defence but it eventually rolls to Tzolakis.
90 mins
There’s a brief break in play for some injury treatment.
There’ll be four minutes of added time here.
Scotland 0-3 Greece
18:49 , Chris Wilson89 mins
Plenty of boos around Hampden as a backwards pass to Gordon is followed up by a long ball forward to nobody.
Scotland 0-3 Greece
18:47 , Chris Wilson86 mins
Greece look like they could score whenever they come forward now, though there’s a brilliant challenge to block a goal-bound shot now.
Scotland 0-3 Greece
18:44 , Chris Wilson83 mins
More subs now as Mouzakitis and Pavlidis come off for Ioannidis and Galanopoulos for the away side.
Scotland 0-3 Greece
18:43 , Chris Wilson82 mins
CLOSE!
Huge chance for four. Greece win it back in midfield and it’s a 3-v-2 immediately, with Scotland having committed too many forward.
It’s played forward to Tzolis and he’s 1-v-1 with Gordon, but he blazes well over.
Scotland 0-3 Greece
18:41 , Chris Wilson79 mins
Greece are looking pretty accomplished in how they’re managing the state of this game at the moment, it must be said.
Jovanovic’s changes have certainly paid off today, as Ralston is dispossessed in a dangerous area.
Scotland 0-3 Greece
18:38 , Chris Wilson77 mins
Scotland win a corner and McGinn’s cross is a good one at the second time of asking, but Hirst’s header is well over.
Scotland 0-3 Greece
18:36 , Chris Wilson76 mins
It has to be said, Scotland don’t really look like scoring at the moment. They’re lacking threat with Greece putting plenty of men behind the ball.
Scotland 0-3 Greece
18:33 , Chris Wilson73 mins
Two changes for Greece now as Konstantelias and Karetsas come off for Pelkas and Masouras.
Clarke follows it up with two changes of his own as Robertson comes off for Wilson and Christie makes way for Tommy Conway.
Scotland 0-3 Greece
18:31 , Chris Wilson71 mins
It’s getting scrappier now, and there’s a yellow for Hirst as he arrives late in the challenge.
Scotland 0-3 Greece
18:2969 mins
A booking for Pavlidis now for delaying the restart. Greece know exactly what they’re doing now.
Scotland 0-3 Greece
18:27 , Chris Wilson66 mins
CLOSE!
So close to a fourth for Greece! It looked like a foul on Robertson but the ref plays on and Konstantelias slips a pass that Pavlidis latches onto before clipping a great effort over Gordon. It’s heading in but Souttar races back to clear off the line!
Scotland 0-3 Greece
18:25 , Chris Wilson64 mins
Scotland have been better since the subs were made but they’re still lacking real penetration in attack, as Hirst directs a tame header wide.
60 mins
Scotland’s problem now is that Greece are happy to sit back and hit them on the counter, with the hosts now needing to be even more fluid in attack. They haven’t managed that so far.
Ferguson is the first booking of the day as he almost clotheslines Karetsas.
Scotland 0-3 Greece
18:18 , Chris Wilson58 mins
Better from Scotland as the subs combine in attack but Hirst narrowly misses taking the ball in his stride.
The hosts still have time here, but they need two to force extra-time.
Scotland 0-3 Greece
18:15 , Chris Wilson55 mins
Three changes for the hosts as Gilmour, Adams and McLean come off for Hirst, Tierney and Ferguson.
Scotland 0-3 Greece
18:13 , Chris Wilson53 mins
Scotland win a corner from nowhere as McGinn plays a lovely early cross that is put behind.
Could this be where the goal comes from? The set-piece is headed away, as is the follow-up cross.
Steve Clarke is preparing changes.
Scotland 0-3 Greece
18:11 , Chris Wilson51 mins
Scary times for the Scots as Pavlidis plays a great diagonal pass to Karetsas in space in the box, but he curls wide of the far post.
Scotland 0-3 Greece
18:09 , Chris Wilson49 mins
Three shots on target for the Greeks and three goals. It tells you what you need to know about the Scotland performance, which has been okay overall but full of poor decisions in defence.
GOAL! Scotland 0-3 Greece
18:0746 mins
GOAL! Scotland are staring at League B!
It’s another good goal from the visitors, as they work it forward to Konstantelias on the edge of the box. He takes his time before playing a lovely reverse pass into the path of Tzolis in the box, and the youngster simply curls an easy finish past Gordon from just over six yards out.
KICK-OFF! Scotland 0-2 Greece
18:04 , Chris WilsonThe visitors get us back underway in Hampden!
HALF-TIME! Scotland 0-2 Greece
18:01 , Chris WilsonIt’s been a good half for the neutral in Glasgow, though home fans will be disappointed as they find themselves 2-0 down despite playing fairly well.
They started brightly and had good chances before Greece struck with two good goals to turn the tie on its head.
There’s a lot to do for the hosts to get ahead once more at Hampden.
HALF-TIME! Scotland 0-2 Greece
17:55 , Chris WilsonGreece scorer Konstantinos Karetsas has become the youngest player ever to score in the Nations League, at 17 years and 124 days.
It was some finish from the youngster too.
HALF-TIME! Scotland 0-2 Greece
17:51 , Chris WilsonThe referee blows the whistle and the hosts find themselves behind 2-0 on the day, despite playing fairly well at several points!
Plenty to do in the second 45 then.
Scotland 0-2 Greece
17:49 , Chris Wilson45 mins
There’ll be just one minute of added time here as McGinn has a penalty appeal waved away before McTominay directs a tame header straight at the ‘keeper.
GOAL! Scotland 0-2 Greece
17:47 , Chris Wilson43 mins
GOAL! This is a brilliant all-round goal.
The ball is slipped behind the defence for Giannoulis and he cuts it back perfectly to Konstantelias just on the edge of the box. He’s got the composure to look up at lay it off to Karetsas, who curls a lovely finish into the opposite top corner! What a finish.
Scotland 0-1 Greece
17:45 , Chris Wilson40 mins
The latest Greece attack ends in a shot blazed over from distance, and moments later Pavlidis tries once more with a similar result.
Scotland move forward on the counter and there are some lovely touches from Gilmour and McTominay, before Christie wastes the chance with a poor diagonal ball.
Scotland 0-1 Greece
17:42 , Chris Wilson37 mins
Plenty of action here in the middle of the park but neither side has been able to fashion a proper chance in the last few minutes. It’s a bit more stop-start at the moment as we approach half-time.
Scotland 0-1 Greece
17:39 , Chris Wilson34 mins
There’s already been a stoppage for a change of the ball and now there’s another as it seems it has burst. There’s a brief break in play back we’re back underway and immediately Scotland win it back, but it’s a poor cross in from Ralston.
Scotland 0-1 Greece
17:35 , Chris Wilson31 mins
Despite their dominance of the ball, Scotland have given Greece some dangerous counters in the last few minutes, with Tzolis at the centre of plenty. During his latest foray forward he narrowly misses out on linking well with Pavlidis.
At the other end, McGinn bursts into the box to get onto the end of a through ball, but he blasts his shot straight at Tzolakis.
Scotland 0-1 Greece
17:32 , Chris Wilson28 mins
A reminder that there will be extra-time and penalties if needed here.
Scotland have enjoyed plenty of possession since the goal, but they haven’t created anything clear-cut.
Scotland 0-1 Greece
17:3025 mins
Messy defending from the visitors as the free-kick comes in and the ‘keeper tries to catch it but ends up palming it away, though no Scotland player can capitalise.
The hosts have settled well since conceding.
Scotland 0-1 Greece
17:27 , Chris Wilson22 mins
Half a chance for McTominay to score as the ball falls nicely for him near the edge of the area, but he skews his half-volley wide.
GOAL! Scotland 0-1 Greece
17:25 , Chris Wilson20 mins
GOAL! Out of nowhere, it’s level in the tie!
It’s some good play from the visitors too, with a fairly simple 2-v-1 opening up on the right against Robertson.
Vagiannidis then gets the space for a cutback and lys it off perfectly to Konstantelias, who sweeps home with an accomplished finish.
Scotland 0-0 Greece
17:21 , Chris Wilson17 mins
Scotland are knocking it around nicely in midfield, so far evading the Greece pressure in the middle of the park.
McTominay has started especially brightly and he wins a free-kick on the right wing that Gilmour can swing in, but the delivery evades his teammates.
Scotland 0-0 Greece
17:18 , Chris Wilson14 mins
In contrast to Scotland, it hasn't clicked at all for Greece in attack yet, with Robertson the latest to cut out an attempted one-two in the direction of Pavlidis.
It’s been positive for Scotland so far.
Scotland 0-0 Greece
17:14 , Chris Wilson11 mins
Scotland certainly look the most confident of the two sides here, with the Greeks having given away possession cheaply on several occasions already.
The hosts are looking pretty dangerous when they get forward too.
Scotland 0-0 Greece
17:12 , Chris Wilson8 mins
A half chance for the Scots this time as they win the ball back in midfield and it runs to McTominay. He has options as he surges towards the box but his shot is deflected and hits the side-netting.
From the corner, Tzolis is fouled and the chance goes begging.
Scotland 0-0 Greece
17:10 , Chris Wilson6 mins
CHANCE! Good play from Scotland and McGinn threads a great through ball into the path of McTominay. He burst into the box and tries to find the far corner, but the ‘keeper is equal to it and Adams can’t pounce on the rebound.
Scotland 0-0 Greece
17:08 , Chris Wilson4 mins
An early penalty shout for the Scots as Adams wins possession and makes his way into the box. He’s taken down by Mavropanos but the referee waves it away.
50-50 on the replay there.
Scotland 0-0 Greece
17:07 , Chris Wilson2 mins
Greece are looking to inject plenty of pressure early on here but Scotland have been equal to it in defence.
The hosts will expect a rather different match to the game on Thursday, with the Greeks having made six changes.
KICK-OFF! Scotland 0-0 Greece
17:03 , Chris WilsonThe hosts get us underway in Glasgow after a brief tribute to Denis Law.
Sir Alex Ferguson was holding up a shirt with Law’s name and number on the back as the crowd applauded.
Scotland vs Greece LIVE
16:56 , Chris WilsonBoth sides are in the tunnel at Hampden, so we’ll be underway soon once the anthems have been and gone.
Scotland vs Greece LIVE
16:50 , Chris WilsonWe’re just 10 minutes from kick-off here, and the atmosphere is starting to build at Hampden Park.
Both teams will be in the tunnel soon enough.
Kick-off fast approaching
16:45 , Will CastleJust 15 minutes until kick-off at Hampden Park in what is a crucial outing for Scotland’s Nations League aspirations.
Steve Clarke’s side go into the second leg with the advantage after Scott McTominay’s first-half penalty and a remarkable second-half defensive stand earned them a valuable away win in Athens on Thursday.
Scotland are looking to maintain their status in League A, while Greece will seek promotion from League B.
All the action, coming up next. Don’t go anywhere.
Anthony Gordon pulls out of England squad with ‘worrying’ injury
16:30 , Will CastleAcross the Scottish border, there’s worries for England and Newcastle.
Anthony Gordon has been forced to withdraw from the England squad through injury ahead of their World Cup qualifier against Latvia.
The winger has returned to his club side Newcastle United after picking up a hip problem when he came on as a substitute during the 2-0 win over Albania on Friday evening.
The 24-year-old only entered the fray on 74 minutes but suffered what appeared to be a hip problem during his 15 minutes of play, which saw him limp off down the tunnel at the final whistle.
Anthony Gordon pulls out of England squad with ‘worrying’ injury
Bumper day of Nations League action
16:20 , Will CastleScotland’s clash with Greece is only the start of a bumper day of action in the Nations League this Sunday.
In two other notable play-offs, the Republic of Ireland face Bulgaria while Belgium play host to Ukraine, with both Ireland and Belgium returning to home soil with advantages from the away legs.
But it’s in the Nations League quarter-finals where the big hitters come to play.
There are two major heavyweight clashes as Germany take on Italy, while the Netherlands travel to Spain - a tie that hangs in the balance after playing out a 2-2 draw in the first leg.
France also take on Croatia in a repeat of the 2018 World Cup final, while Portugal host Denmark. Both Croatia and Denmark are on course to pull off an upset win over their respective opponents after emerging victorious at home in midweek.
How things fared in the first leg
16:10 , Will CastleScott McTominay scored the only goal of the game as Scotland survived a second-half barrage from Greece in their Nations League play-off in Athens.
The Napoli midfielder netted a penalty he had won in the 33rd minute of the first leg and the Scots spurned a couple of other chances before the break.
An impressive performance began to flounder in the second half when 17-year-old Genk-born attacker Konstantinos Karetsas came on to make his debut for the home side, after making the switch from Belgium, for whom he had played at various youth levels.
Steve Clarke’s side withstood relentless pressure from the Greeks who hit the woodwork, although keeper Craig Gordon was not called upon to make too many saves.
The full match report from Athens:
Scotland survive Greece onslaught to earn slender lead in Nations League play-off
Greece team news
16:05 , Chris WilsonGreece boss Ivan Jovanovic has made six changes to the side that lost 1-0 in the first leg.
At full-back, Lazaros Rota and Kostas Tsimikas are replaced by Georgios Vagiannidis and Dimitris Giannoulis, while in central midfield, Emmanouil Siopis and Petros Mantalos go out in favour of Christos Mouzakitis and Christos Zafeiris.
In attack, Giorgos Masouras drops out for Konstantinos Karetsas, while Vangelis Pavlidis leads the line as he starts over Fotis Ioannidis.
Greece line-up
15:59 , Chris WilsonGreece XI: Tzolakis, Vagiannidis, Mavropanos, Koulierakis, Giannoulis; Mouzakitis, Zafeiris; Konstantelias, Karetsas, Tzolis; Pavlidis.
Subs: Vlachodimos, Mandas, Retsos, Masouras, Pelkas, Rota, Fountas, Ioannidis, Chatzidiakos, Mantalos, Tsimikas, Galanopalous.
The team is set 🚀 #startingxi pic.twitter.com/RkGYlEwI3T
— Ethniki Omada (@EthnikiOmada) March 23, 2025
Team news
15:54 , Chris WilsonScotland boss Steve Clarke has made just one change to the side that beat Greece in the first leg on Thursday.
Ryan Christie comes in to replace Lewis Ferguson, with the Bournemouth man staying on the left wing.
Che Adams leads the line again, with Scott McTominay in the attacking midfield role.
Scotland line-up
15:50 , Chris WilsonScotland XI: Gordon; Ralston, Souttar, Hanley Robertson; Gilmour, Christie; McGinn, McTominay, McLean; Adams.
Subs: Kelly, Slicker, Tierney, Conway, Hendry, Wilson, McKenna, Nisbit, Hirst, Ferguson, Miller, Johnston.
Your team 🏴#SCOGRE pic.twitter.com/t9EvFgUByy
— Scotland National Team (@ScotlandNT) March 23, 2025
Scottish wonderkids earning first taste of international football
15:40 , Will CastleSteve Clarke is looking to accelerate the development of more young talent after handing teenage duo Lennon Miller and James Wilson their first call-ups for the March international break.
Motherwell midfielder Miller and Hearts striker Wilson, both 18, were included for this month's Nations League play-off double-header against Greece.
Both started on the bench in the first leg but could be called into action at Hampden.
Scotland hand first call up to 18-year-old with ‘big, big future’
Scotland fans feasting on free-to-air international football
15:30 , Will CastleTonight’s play-off will be shown on free-to-air, after the previous agreement with ViaPlay came to a premature end and left fans watching games on YouTube.
This will be the case with all Scotland matches leading up to the 2026 World Cup in the United States.
Scotland predicted lineup
15:15 , Will CastleScotland XI: Gordon; Ralston, Hanley, Souttar, Robertson; Gilmour, McLean; McGinn, McTominay, Christie; Adams
What is the Scotland team news?
15:00 , Will CastleRyan Christie returns from suspension and bolsters Scotland’s midfield options. Clarke started all of Billy Gilmour, Kenny McLean, Scott McTominay, John McGinn and Lewis Ferguson behind Che Adams in Athens, but Christie can offer a little more pace and could return.
Scotland’s back four worked well enough so Kieran Tierney may find himself on the back again, with Andy Robertson and Anthony Ralston the full-backs either side of Grant Hanley and John Souttar. Craig Gordon kept a clean sheet on his 80th international appearance.
How can I watch Scotland vs Greece?
14:45 , Will CastleThe second leg of the Nations League play-off will be shown live on BBC One Scotland and BBC iPlayer, with coverage starting from 4pm GMT. Kick-off at Hampden is at 5:00pm on Sunday 23 March.
Scotland vs Greece LIVE
14:30 , Will CastleWelcome to The Independent’s live coverage of Scotland’s Nations League play-off against Greece!
Scotland take a 1-0 lead to Hampden as they look to maintain their top-flight status in the competition.
Scott McTominay’s first-half penalty proved the difference in Athens on Thursday, but will be wary after Greece dominated much of play in the first leg.
All the build-up and play-by-play action, right here.
