Scotland's hopes of securing a spot in the 2026 World Cup suffered a massive blow as Andy Robertson's side fell to a disappointing 2-0 defeat against Greece in Athens.
The Scottish captain watched helplessly from the stands while serving a suspension as his team produced a lacklustre performance that leaves their qualification campaign hanging by a thread.
Athens Nightmare Unfolds
From the opening whistle, Scotland struggled to find their rhythm against a determined Greek side. The absence of Liverpool star Robertson was keenly felt, with the visitors lacking leadership and creativity throughout the match.
Giorgos Giakoumakis broke the deadlock just before half-time, capitalising on defensive confusion to put the hosts ahead. The former Celtic striker's goal sent the home crowd into raptures and left Scotland with a mountain to climb.
Second Half Collapse
Things went from bad to worse for Steve Clarke's men when Giorgos Masouras doubled Greece's advantage in the 61st minute. The Olympiacos winger finished clinically after Scotland failed to clear their lines, effectively sealing the match.
Despite making several substitutions, Scotland never looked like mounting a comeback, with their attacking play lacking cohesion and cutting edge throughout the ninety minutes.
Qualification Hopes in Tatters
This damaging result leaves Scotland fourth in their qualifying group, having taken just three points from their opening four matches. With several tough fixtures remaining, the path to the 2026 World Cup now looks increasingly difficult.
The performance raised serious questions about Scotland's ability to compete without key players, with Robertson's suspension exposing the team's lack of depth in crucial positions.
What Next for Clarke's Men?
Scotland must now regroup quickly ahead of their next qualifier, with manager Steve Clarke facing mounting pressure to turn around their faltering campaign.
The team's inability to create clear chances and defensive vulnerabilities will be major concerns as they look to salvage their World Cup dreams in the coming months.
