Scotland Survive Late Scare To Beat North Macedonia And Keep Top-Two Hopes Alive

Scotland edge North Macedonia

It was far from pretty, but Scotland got the job done. John McGinn struck twice, including a late penalty, to secure a nervy 2-1 win over North Macedonia and condemn the visitors to a fifth straight defeat.

Scotland labour to 2-1 win as North Macedonia stay winless...

Scotland laboured to a 2-1 win to condemn North Macedonia to a fifth straight defeat in UEFA Nations League, League B.

Despite controlling the early exchanges, Scotland were guilty of too much sideways and backwards passing and failed to put any real pressure on in the final third.

The visitors gradually grew into the game and created the first real chance when Ljupcho Doriev cut inside and tried his luck, but his curling effort drifted wide of the target.

Sebastian Pocognoli's side eventually began to wake up, and Scott McTominay forced an excellent save in the 15th minute. The Napoli star showed his class to take a touch and swivel in the box, but his powerful strike was tipped wide by Stole Dimitrievski.

The Valencia keeper was called into action again midway through the half when Che Adams flicked a corner towards goal at the near post, but once again Dimitrievski showed sharp reflexes to keep the scores level.

McTominay was denied again by the North Macedonia keeper after breaking in behind, and after a nervy moment just before half-time when Enis Bardhi fired into the side-netting, Scotland were booed off by a frustrated crowd.

Scotland came out after the break still wasteful. Billy Gilmour somehow skied one over the bar from six yards, with the goal gaping in front of him.

The breakthrough finally came on 54 minutes. Che Adams pinned the defence, the ball broke loose, and John McGinn bent it beautifully beyond Dimitrievski.

The celebrations lasted barely three minutes. Elmin Rastoder ghosted in to meet Bardhi's corner and glanced it past Angus Gunn, a first international goal for him and a first in this league phase for North Macedonia.

Just as the frustration was boiling over, Scotland got a lifeline. VAR spotted Dimitrievski clattering into Ben Gannon-Doak inside the area, and McGinn kept his nerve from 12 yards to put his side back in front.

It was far from comfortable in the closing stages, with the visitors throwing everything forward in search of another leveller. But Scotland just about hung on, Angus Gunn coming to the rescue to keep out Bardhi's dangerous free-kick from the edge of the box.

FULL TIME: Scotland 2-1 North Macedonia. John McGinn’s double seals victory at @BarclaysHampden tonight 👏 #SCOMKD https://t.co/btbS7JvvgZ

— Scotland National Team (@ScotlandNT) November 13, 2026

The result leaves North Macedonia guaranteed to finish bottom, now heading to Slovenia desperate to avoid ending the campaign without a point. Scotland, meanwhile, travel to Switzerland knowing only a win will keep their hopes of a top-two finish alive.

Momentum Traction