Scotland have ended their World Cup qualifying campaign on a positive note after they recorded a 2-0 win over Croatia.
After an uninspiring opening 25 minutes, Scotland took the lead through a towering header from Robert Snodgrass, who came close to doubling his side's advantage a few minutes later.
Croatia improved after the break, but the home side doubled their lead with 17 minutes remaining when Steven Naismith netted his third international goal after Barry Bannan had seen his penalty saved.
Read below to see how the action unfolded at Hampden Park.
Hello, and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the World Cup qualifier between Scotland and Croatia.
This match may not have everything riding on it in terms of who will qualify from Group A and who won't, but both teams will include players keen to impress ahead of their respective country's future fixtures.
Croatia have already secured their place in second spot in the group, and will join seven other teams in the playoffs, while Scotland will be aware that three points could see them replace Wales in fourth - but defeat could also seem them finish bottom.
The Scotland team news is in from Hampden Park. I will bring it to you shortly...
SCOTLAND XI: McGregor; Hutton, Martin, Hanley, Mulgrew; Bannan, Brown, Morrison, Anya; Snodgrass, Naismith
SCOTLAND SUBSTITUTES: Marshall, Hammell, McArthur, Burke, Adam, Dorrans, Griffiths, McCormack, G. Boyd, Gilks, Greer, Bryson
Scotland boss Gordon Strachan has named a strong lineup for this evening's match. It had been suggested that Motherwell left-back Steven Hammell could earn his second cap, but he has been forced to settle for a place on the bench.
We are still awaiting confirmation of the Croatia team, but coach Igor Stimac has as many as nine players one booking away from missing the first leg of the playoffs, so it remains to be seen whether they will be risked tonight.
There might be 53 places between these two nations in the world rankings, but it was the lower-ranked side that came out on top in Zagreb in June. Croatia had been competing with Belgium at the top of the group, but a Robert Snodgrass goal was enough for the Scot's to stun their more illustrious opponents.
Scotland weren't in action on Friday evening, but Croatia were, falling to a 2-1 loss at home to Belgium. Regardless of their guaranteed position in the group, Stimac will be under pressure to achieve a positive result tonight to ensure that his players are in the right frame of mind next month.
We are still awaiting the Croatia team in full, but the word is that midfielder Luka Modric will take place in the side. He is one of the players who are a yellow card away from a one-game suspension.
Of course, this fixture isn't the only World Cup qualifying match taking place this evening. There's the huge encounter between England and Poland taking place at Wembley, while Wales and Republic of Ireland will be looking to end their campaign with a win.
Finally, the Croatia team news is with us. Sorry for the delay!
CROATIA XI: Pletikosa; Vida, Corluka, Lovren, Strinic; Srna, Vukojevic, Modric, Krancjar; Mandzukic, Kalinic
CROATIA SUBSTITUTES: Vargic, Kresic, Pivaric, Perisic, Jelavic, Schildenfeld, Ademi, Olic, Eduardo, Maloca
You won't need me to tell you that Stimac has named an impressive lineup himself, and that's despite leaving some star names on the bench. Six players included from the start have featured in English football, while there are a couple more on the bench.
PREDICTION! This is a difficult one to call. Scotland are capable of producing inspired displays in front of their home crows, but will they be able to withstand the quality in Croatia's attack? Croatia to nick a 2-1 win.
There looks to be a carnival atmosphere in Hampden Park. I'm not sure why though - maybe everyone is just trying to stay warm?
The two national anthems are currently being played out. Plenty of Croatian supporters have made the long journey up to Scotland, which deserves plenty of respect.
We are underway at Hampden Park, in front of a crowd of around 30,000
Croatia have dominated possession over the opening couple of minutes, but Scotland have been quick to make their presence known amongst their opponents. Steven Naismith goes in too eagerly to concede an early free kick.
Krancjar and Modric link up neatly to create a chance for Kalinic, but his shot is deflected wide of the post. Well, at least it looked as though it was deflected - the referee has given a goal kick.
Eight minutes in, and Scotland finally get hold of the ball, but after a few passes fail to move them forward, they decide to go long-ball and instantly give the ball away. Naismith isn't exactly well-equipped to act as a target man.
Some good news emerging from Serbia - the home side are 3-0 ahead against Macedonia, which means that baring the most remarkable of miracles, Scotland won't be finishing bottom of Group A.
SHOT! Scotland finally show some intent in the attacking third of the pitch, but after being set up by Naismith, Brown can only fire his shot over the crossbar from 20 yards.
There's almost a friendly-feel to this match so far. There isn't the normal intensity that you would expect from a World Cup qualifier. Scotland have attempted to get Anya on the ball, but he is being well snuffed out by Corluka.
More of the same from Scotland, who play it between each other at the back, seemingly waiting for Naismith to make a run behind the Croatia defence, but they aren't coming close to breaching Lovren and Corluka.
CHANCE! Croatia regain possession of the ball before launching an attack down the right. The move concluded with Mandzukic cutting inside onto his left foot, but a couple of Scotland defenders managed to get the block in.
Gordon Strachan doesn't sound too impressed with this long-ball tactic. He's out on the touchline berating his defence. Will that see a bit more play on the floor?
GOAL! Scotland 1-0 Croatia (Snodgrass)
GOAL! Scotland 1-0 Croatia (Snodgrass)
WOODWORK! Where has this come from? Scotland are playing some superb stuff now, and they come so close to making it 2-0. Brown played a one-two with Snodgrass, before the Norwich winger hit a first-time effort from 16 yards that was tipped onto the post by Pletikosa.
Scotland's rousing play over the last five minutes has resulted in Croatia attempting to improve, but they are being met by a resolute Scotland backline...so far. Less than 10 minutes to go until half time.
CHANCE! A rendition of 'Flower of Scotland' can be heard around Hampden Park, but it's Croatia who should be level. The cross came in from the right, but Mandzukic could only volley the ball into the floor from 12 yards, and it subsequently bounced over.
Scotland are beginning to come under some pressure just before the break, but Vukojevic's volley from the edge of the area was never troubling McGregor's goal.
There will be one minute of added-on time.
HALF TIME: Scotland 1-0 Croatia
Well Gordon Strachan will be elated with that. There was little action at either end for the opening 25 minutes, but Scotland bounced into gear shortly before the half-hour mark, and they deservedly lead at Hampden Park. You feel as though they will need a second goal though, with Croatia coming on strongly before the referee blew his half-time whistle.
Croatia have had one more effort on goal than Scotland - six shots to five - but the home side have had the more attempts on target. Again, Croatia have the advantage in terms of possession but they haven't used that to their benefit.
News from the other two games in this group. Wales are currently holding Belgium, which would be a superb result if they can hold on, while Serbia are now four goals ahead against Macedonia.
The players will shortly be making their way back out. I don't anticipate any alterations from Strachan, but his opposite number Stimac might be contemplating a switch or two.
Scotland get us back underway.
BOOKING! Vukojevic has been booed for a challenge on the edge of the area, and he will miss the first leg of a playoff tie. Bannan stepped up to take the free kick, but it sailed a couple of yards over the crossbar.
Croatia came close to engineering an opportunity, but Scott Brown tracked back well to get the block in. If Scotland win this, Strachan will have a win percentage of 50% after eight matches - how many Scotland manager's have been able to say that?
SHOT! Modric tries his luck from 20 yards, but it's an easy save for McGregor. The Real Madrid man looked the outstanding player for the opening 10 minutes, but he has hardly seen the ball since.
BOOKING! James Morrison is the first Scotland man to enter the book for a mis-timed challenge around 40 yards from goal. Srna attempted to shoot from that distance, but the ball was low and blocked by the defence.
SUBSTITUTION! Former Arsenal striker Eduardo have been introduced into the action. Can he have an impact for his team with 30 minutes remaining?
SHOT! Scotland have been a bit quiet in an attacking sense since the break, but some good work from Anya creates an opportunity for Morrison, but his volley rolls wide.
CHANCE! Poor communication between Hanley and Martin allow a through ball to reach Eduardo, but after taking the ball around McGregor, he found the side-netting with his shot, which was a weak one too.
SHOT! Croatia are pressing now. Mandzukic muscled his away from Hanley to meet a cross from the left, but his volley went skywards. Stimac looks ready to make his second change.
SUBSTITUTION! Perisic comes on for Krancjar, who is still making his way back to full fitness after a spell on the sidelines.
News from Belgium, and the home side have finally breached Wales's defences to take the lead through Kevin de Bruyne. if Scotland can hold on here, they will surely finishing in fourth place.
PENALTY TO SCOTLAND!
Anya weaves his magic down the left once again and gets upended by Vida, who gets nothing on the ball. Bannan to step up...
GOAL! Scotland 2-0 Croatia (Naismith)
No, that isn't a mistake. Steven Naismith has netted Scotland's second after Pletikosa pulled off a fantastic save from Bannan's penalty. Hampden Park is rocking!
Scotland haven't won at home throughout the entire qualifying campaign, but they are now on the verge of beating the 10th best side in the world!
SUBSTITUTION! Anya is being withdrawn by Strachan to a fantastic ovation. He has been replaced by Graeme Dorrans.
SUBSTITUTIONS! Changes for both teams. Everton striker Jelavic enters the fray in place of Mandzukic, while Scotland are preparing to bring on McArthur.
Less than 10 minutes to go at Hampden Park. I would say that Scotland have got this as good as won, but I have been wrong before...
CHANCE! Croatia haven't giving up hope of salvaging a point. Srna was played in down the right-hand side, but despite a perfectly-weight cross, Jelavic's header lacked power and was easily stopped by McGregor.
Awesome news coming from Wembley. Steven Gerrard has scored with two minutes remaining to give England a 2-0 lead. They will be heading to Brazil next summer!
This match is beginning to fizzle out now. Scotland are defending in numbers and Croatia can't find any way through. Scotland regain the ball and Scott Brown launches a barn-storming run up the pitch before being held back.
There will be three minutes of added-on time.
Wales have equalised in Belgium through Aaron Ramsey! That won't change anything though - Scotland will still finish in fourth.
FULL TIME: Scotland 2-0 Croatia
Well that was mightily impressive from Scotland, who have recorded a deserved 2-0 victory over Croatia. The visitors didn't have much to play for, but they were out-fought by the home side who looked a team re-born under Gordon Strachan. That's twice they have played the world's 10th best side and not conceded a goal.
Thank you for joining Sports Mole for this match, and for the whole of the World Cup qualifiers. If there are any Croatian fans out there, we hope that you return for your side's two playoff games next month! Goodbye for now.
Written by
Darren Plant
Darren Plant
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