Scotland Vs North Macedonia: Pocognoli Gets First Scotland Win

McGinn and Bowie fire Scotland to first win under Pocognoli

Sebastien Pocognoli earned his first win as Scotland head coach as goals from Kieron Bowie and John McGinn secured a deserved 2-0 Nations League victory over North Macedonia, even as 10-man Scotland had to see out the closing stages after a late red card.

Robertson's 100th cap marked as Scotland end goal drought in North Macedonia win...

Sebastien Pocognoli celebrated his first win as Scotland head coach as his side earned a deserved 2-0 Nations League victory over North Macedonia in Skopje, extending the hosts' winless run to 11 matches.

Andrew Robertson made a bright start as he looked to mark his 100th cap with a goal, forcing Stole Dimitrievski into a smart save with his second effort inside the opening five minutes.

However, seconds later, the experienced goalkeeper was beaten as Kieron Bowie scored his first international goal.

The Sassuolo striker received the ball with his back to goal, quickly turned to create space and drilled a precise shot into the bottom corner, ending Scotland's four-game goal drought.

Robertson quickly resumed his search for a goal on his milestone appearance with two more efforts before the 15-minute mark.

Still searching for a second goal, Gannon-Doak made a purposeful start to the second half, forcing Dimitrievski into two saves either side of winning a penalty, only for the decision to be harshly overturned as the officials ruled the winger had initiated contact with the defender.

Scotland’s frustration with VAR soon eased when the referee pointed to the spot after Bojan Miovski was penalised for handball following a trip to the monitor. Taking responsibility, John McGinn kept his composure to send the goalkeeper the wrong way and roll in his 22nd international goal.

FULL TIME: North Macedonia 0-2 Scotland.

Goals from Kieron Bowie and John McGinn in either half seal Sébastien Pocognoli’s first win in charge of Scotland.#MKDSCO pic.twitter.com/441UHCsx1U

— Scotland National Team (@ScotlandNT) October 3, 2026

The Tartan Army suffered a late setback when Scott McKenna was sent off for following through on Agon Elezi with a full-blooded challenge.

Momentum

Chances kept coming as North Macedonia struggled to cope with Scotland's relentless pressure. Ben Gannon-Doak blazed over from a promising position before Bowie saw a goal-bound effort blocked by the last defender, prompting North Macedonia boss Goce Sedloski to make two changes in a sign of his frustration at the one-sided half.

Crucially, the visitors saw out the closing stages with minimal fuss to move level on points with second-placed Slovenia in Group B1.

Stats Breakdown