Slovenia fight back to hand Pocognoli's Scotland a damaging Nations League defeat at home

Scotland suffered a 2-1 Nations League defeat to Slovenia at Hampden Park on Thursday, a result that leaves Sebastien Pocognoli’s side third in Group B1 with just four points from four matches and significant ground to make up in the November double-header against North Macedonia and Switzerland.

The Scots had taken a barely-deserved lead in the 31st minute when Ryan Christie back-heeled home from close range after Jack Hendry’s header from Ben Gannon-Doak’s cross cannoned off the post and fell to the Hearts winger’s feet. It was a fortunate opener for a Scotland side that had been outplayed for much of the first half, and Andy Robertson’s goal-saving challenge on Zan Vipotnik in the 38th minute preserved the slender advantage at the break.

Slovenia levelled through Aljosa Matko in the second half and then completed the turnaround via Danijel Sturm, securing the visitors’ first win in seven meetings with Scotland. The result was greeted with boos from the Tartan Army at full-time, leaving Pocognoli — appointed as Steve Clarke’s successor following Scotland’s World Cup exit in the summer — with plenty to address before the campaign resumes in November.

The evening had carried a celebratory tone before kick-off. Captain Robertson, who won his 100th cap in Saturday’s win in North Macedonia, was presented with a commemorative jersey by each of the four managers he has served under for the national team: Gordon Strachan, Alex McLeish, Clarke and Pocognoli. Clarke, making his first return to Hampden since ending his seven-year tenure, received a warm reception from the Tartan Army.

There were personal milestones on the pitch too. Napoli midfielder Billy Gilmour earned his 50th cap, Hull forward Oli McBurnie reached 20 international appearances, and Hearts winger Josh McPake came off the bench for his debut. But the individual landmarks were overshadowed by a collective performance that failed to build on a promising result in Skopje.

Scotland’s best chance to put the game beyond Slovenia came in the 52nd minute when Gannon-Doak surged forward and found Christie in the box, only for Jan Oblak to make a crucial block. It proved a turning point, as Slovenia capitalised on the reprieve to complete their comeback and inflict a result that significantly complicates Scotland’s Nations League campaign.