Scotland’s hopes of progression to the knockout stages of a major tournament for the first time were dashed by Croatia, as a Luka Modric masterclass helped the 2018 World Cup finalists book their place in the last 16 of Euro 2020 with victory at Hampden Park.
After a fast start from Scotland, Croatia took the lead through Nikola Vlasic (17), after he lost Scott McTominay in the box to prod home Ivan Perisic’s towering back-post knock down.
Opportunity knocked for Scotland, but Real Madrid midfielder Modric clipped home a wonderful second just after the hour mark (62), curling it past David Marshall from distance with the outside of his right foot.
With Scotland on their knees, Perisic beat Kieran Tierney at the near post to glance in a header for his second goal of the tournament (77), and consign Scotland to bottom place in Group D.
Steve Clarke’s side never stopped battling, and always looked dangerous when pressing their opponents, but at times they were their own worst enemy in defence, and were ultimately undone by a battled-hardened, classy Croatian side.
