Scotland 0-0 Portugal: Steve Clarke’s facet dangle on for first Nations League level

Cristiano Ronaldo did not shine as Scotland prevented one other late Portugal defeat to earn their first level from a 0-0 draw within the Nations League.

Steve Clarke’s facet went into the match with no win of their final eight aggressive matches and decided to cease Ronaldo from inflicting one other late defeat on them.

Scott McTominay and Ryan Christie missed early possibilities for the Scots with Craig Gordon denying Bruno Fernandes earlier than Ronaldo despatched an audacious bicycle kick previous the submit.

Scotland wasted possibilities after the break and Gordon produced one other huge save towards Fernandes earlier than Nicky Devlin was the hero in stoppage time to cease Rafael Leao’s highly effective shot.

Ronaldo stormed down the Hampden tunnel at full-time as Scotland prevented a fourth straight defeat in Group A1.

Scotland’s shedding run ends

There was an actual pleasure about Ronaldo’s first Hampden look, however the Tartan Military greeted his first contact with a refrain of boos.

Scotland began brightly with McTominay getting on the tip of Andy Robertson’s cross after simply 5 minutes however his tame header was simply saved by Diogo Costa.

Ronaldo then pressured Gordon right into a save earlier than the hosts went on the assault once more. Anthony Ralston tried to select Che Adams however the ball was diverted into Costa’s fingers.

Portugal regarded like they had been beginning to get a grip on the sport with Gordon punching Fernandes’ nook clear and Christie then clearing Francisco Conceicao’s ball earlier than Diogo Jota might take benefit.

However there have been nonetheless possibilities for Scotland with Christie catching the ball on the half-volley solely to be denied by Costa.

Gordon, again within the beginning XI at 41, was not displaying his age as he reacted shortly to disclaim Fernandes from a curling free-kick.

Ronaldo then tried to attain with an overhead kick, nevertheless it flew simply previous the submit with the referee then penalising the 39-year-old’s effort as harmful play.

The Al Nassr ahead then despatched a curling shot nicely over the bar as Portugal did not make their dominance rely.

Ben Doak went on the assault after the break solely to be introduced down by Joao Palhinha earlier than Ronaldo despatched a ball into Conceicao who blazed it over the bar a lot to the aid of the house followers.

Ronaldo had the ball within the web however the ball had gone out of play earlier than his backheel, with Fernandes then hitting the submit from a nook kick.

One other good Scotland likelihood then went begging as Adams opted to move again throughout objective as an alternative of on the right track. It fell to McTominay however he bought his volleyed effort all flawed, permitting Portugal to clear.

Moments later the Hampden crowd had been on their toes as Ralston burst away from the Portugal backline with McTominay operating into the field, however he despatched his move past the Napoli man to groans from the stands.

With time operating out Gordon produced an enormous save to disclaim Fernandes from shut vary.

Devlin, off the bench for his debut, then produced a superb block to disclaim Leao to make sure they prevented the undesirable historical past of changing into the primary Scotland group to lose 5 straight matches.

Clarke: All people contributed

Scotland supervisor Steve Clarke: “It’s not about turning a corner, it’s just about working hard and not letting the country down. The point was important for us after the work the group put in to get off the mark.

“Defensively sound. The form of the group was good. We denied quite a lot of area in behind. Good focus within the field, decided defending at occasions, some actually good blocks, which you want towards sides like Portugal. Everybody contributed to earn the purpose.

“Everyone keeps talking about confidence, but they know they can play well. We maybe didn’t play as well as we could on the ball, which could be down to fatigue. But I don’t think they lack confidence.”

‘A step in the proper course’

Former Scotland goalkeeper David Marshall on Sky Sports activities: “It was a night to compliment Scotland in their defensive work as a team. The number of blocks and how they defended their box was exceptional.

“All people labored so laborious. They’d be disillusioned by way of creating possibilities and the quantity of possession that they had and Portugal positively dominated the sport and doubtless deserved to win it total. However I feel you must give quite a lot of credit score to Scotland and their defensive construction and the way laborious the gamers labored, as a result of that was a extremely robust opponent.

“I think everybody who watched that or was at the game would see a group of players working hard for each other and defending with their lives when they had to.

“They will positively enhance by way of possession going ahead and once we get some huge gamers again from harm, I’ve little question that the squad will enhance and the wins will come. However that was level towards actually high opposition, so it is a step in the proper course.”

What’s subsequent?

Scotland host Croatia at Hampden Park on Friday November 15 as their Nations League marketing campaign continues.