McTominay penalty saves Scotland in close first-leg
The Independent
|March 21, 2025
Scott McTominay scored the only goal of the game as Scotland survived a second-half barrage from Greece in their Nations League play-off in Athens.
The Napoli midfielder netted a penalty he had won in the 33rd minute of the first leg and the Scots spurned a couple of other chances before the break.
An impressive performance began to flounder in the second half when 17-year-old Genk-born attacker Konstantinos Karetsas came on to make his debut for the home side, after making the switch from Belgium, for whom he had played at various youth levels.
Steve Clarke’s side withstood relentless pressure from the Greeks who hit the woodwork, although keeper Craig Gordon was not called upon to make too many saves.
Scotland can be confident going into the return leg at Hampden Park on Sunday where they look to remain in League A, whereas Greece are looking to get out of League B.
The return to the squad of fit-again Kieran Tierney had Clarke considering a return to a back three but the Arsenal star started on the bench as the head coach stuck with a back four which had been employed during the Nations League campaign.
This story is from the March 21, 2025 edition of The Independent.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM The Independent
The Independent
All's fair in love and war for the relationship anarchists
Ditching labels, structures and hierarchies may be one way of breathing new life into a tired partnership
5 mins
January 03, 2026
The Independent
Blair's ad guru attacks PM's lack of plan to tackle Farage
Sir Tony Blair's former advertising guru has warned Sir Keir Starmer does not have the “urgently needed” plan required to tackle the rise of populists such as Nigel Farage.
3 mins
January 03, 2026
The Independent
Balance of fluid attack with defensive steel evades Slot
Halfway into Arne Slot’s debut campaign at Liverpool, they had 46 points and a six-point lead over rivals who had played a game more. Halfway into his sophomore season, and they are in fourth place. Is that fair? “Yeah, yeah,” Slot concurred.
3 mins
January 03, 2026
The Independent
Tehran ramps up tensions with counterwarning to US
'Don't cross our red line', Iranian leaders warn Trump, after president vows to defend those protesting for regime change
3 mins
January 03, 2026
The Independent
UK hit by big freeze as Met Office issues new warnings
Britons are set for a freezing first weekend of 2026 as Arctic winds bring a cold snap across the UK, prompting warnings of travel chaos, blizzards and power cuts.
2 mins
January 03, 2026
The Independent
Two dead, one missing as Yorkshire search continues
A 67-year-old man and another person have died after reports of a “number of people in difficulty in water” at a popular Yorkshire seaside town.
2 mins
January 03, 2026
The Independent
ON THIS DAY
1521: Pope Leo X excommunicated Martin Luther, beginning the Protestant Reformation.
1 min
January 03, 2026
The Independent
Van Veen sets up battle of the boys final with Littler
The future, it seems, is now. The 2026 World Championship final will not only showcase the very best that darts currently offers but also give a tantalising glimpse of a rivalry that could dominate the sport for years to come.
4 mins
January 03, 2026
The Independent
Deadly protests could spell the end for Iran's ayatollahs
For the best part of 50 years, almost the only part of the Middle East to have remained seemingly, if deceptively, static has been the rule of the ayatollahs in Iran.
4 mins
January 03, 2026
The Independent
‘I was addressing sexuality in every artistic gesture’
As he returns with a new album, Beirut-born pop star Mika opens up to Roisin O'Connor about his late mother's lasting influence, early critical backlash, and the joys of creativity
7 mins
January 03, 2026
Listen
Translate
Change font size
