After a courageous performance in their opening match of the Nations League, Scotland suffered a painful final defeat against Poland due to a penalty in injury time.
Determined to make up for their disappointing Euro 2024 campaign, Steve Clarke’s team returned to action for the first time.
But it was Poland who took the lead early on through Sebastian Szymanski. Robert Lewandowski increased the lead to 2-0 after Scott McTominay’s equaliser was disallowed for handball.
Scotsman Grant Hanley fouls Poland’s Nicola Zalewski
The hosts recovered after the break and Billy Gilmour hammered the ball home before McTominay equalised a few minutes after Ben Doak and Ryan Gauld had made their international debuts.
But after a last-minute tackle by Grant Hanley, Nicola Zalewski converted Poland’s second penalty in the 97th minute, ending Clarke’s team winless in five games.
Scotland now travel to Lisbon to face Portugal on Sunday, while Poland play in Croatia.
Scotland’s worries continue
Scotland’s Grant Hanley looks dejected after awarding Poland a last-minute penalty.
The hosts started brightly and after just two minutes McTominay sent a promising ball into the box for Dykes, but the Birmingham striker was too much for him.
Six minutes later, however, Poland took the lead when Kenny McLean lost possession and Szymanski was able to charge forward. His low shot from 23 metres hit the inside of the post.
Pole Sebastian Szymanski scored the first goal at Hampden Park
Scotland tried to respond immediately, but Robertson missed a free kick before McTominay sent Ryan Christie’s ball well over the bar.
McTominay then thought he had equalised when he fired home a blocked header from Marcin Bulka, but the video referee disallowed the goal for handball.
Scott McTominay’s goal was disallowed for offside
The hosts continued to dominate, with Christie’s shot going inches wide and McTominay’s low cross being cleared before an onrushing attacker could slot it home.
Dykes then met Christie’s cross at the back post, but could only send it into the side netting.
After a clumsy tackle by Ralston, Poland doubled their lead with a penalty before half-time.
Robert Lewandowski doubled Poland’s lead
The Celtic defender brought down Nicola Zalewski in the box and Lewandowski made no mistake, sending Angus Gunn the wrong way to score his 84th international goal.
Scotland responded and Gilmour reduced the deficit to a goal shortly after half-time, hammering a low shot through a sea of bodies after Dykes’ effort had been blocked.
Scotland’s Billy Gilmour celebrates his goal to make it 2-1 against Poland.
The Tartan Army found their voice and there was relief when Szymanski’s curling shot went wide of the post, before Scotland again created a dangerous situation when Bulka parried a shot from McTominay.
Dykes had one more chance before being forced off as Steve Clarke made the substitutions. Doak and Gauld made their debuts and Hearts striker Lawrence Shankland also came on.
And Doak immediately equalised for Scotland: he entered the penalty area and found Ralston, who played the ball back to McTominay, who fired the ball into the net with the inside of his foot.
But the Tartan Army’s celebrations turned to tears deep into injury time when Hanley brought down Zalewski in the penalty area.
The Roma player made no mistake and shot Poland to victory, leaving the Scots with just one win in 13 games.
