Scotland rue lack of cutting edge and final ball as they fall to defeat in Zagreb leaving them rooted at the bottom of their Nations League Group.
The first half reflected a fairly even display from both teams with Croatia dominating possession and Scotland having the odd chance but neither side really tested the goalkeepers.
The game sparked into life from the half hour mark as Craig Gordon, on his 76th cap for the National team, made a flash save to deny Andrej Kramarić.
Scotland opened the scoring in the 33rd minute through Ryan Christie as he capitalised on a poor sliced clearance from Luka Sućić, Duje Ćaleta-Car tried to clear the ball off the line but instead put it further into his own net.
Moments later Croatia responded as Igor Matanović calmly slotted the ball into the bottom left corner following a cross-field switch to Ivan Perišić who expertly cut it back for his striker.
Frustration but hope for Steve Clarke and his side as they headed in at half-time.
Second half started much the same as the first, Croatia with the lion’s share of the ball only testing Craig Gordon’s goal on occasion but the 41- year old was alert when called upon.
What ended up being the winning goal came in the 70th minute when a cross from the right hand side was met by Borna Sosa whose effort was saved by Gordon straight to Andrej Kramarić who headed home unmarked at the back post.
There was a late flurry of Scotland chances with Ryan Christie getting the pick of the bunch, one-on-one with the keeper the Bournemouth midfielder couldn’t find the target from 12 yards out.
Che Adams also had a chance at the death but again the forward missed the target with a chipped effort from close range.
Scotland thought they had salvaged a point right at the death when a scramble in the box was prodded home, Che Adams ran away claiming it, but celebrations were cut short when VAR ruled the substitute offside.
Steve Clarke will now look to Hampden and hope that elusive win can come against Portugal on Tuesday night.
(Photos by Craig Williamson / SNS Group)
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