John McGinn ended Scotland's long wait for a victory with a decisive goal in the Nations League match against Croatia. It had been a frustrating 17 months since Scotland last celebrated a win at Hampden Park, following their triumph over Georgia. During this period, the team managed only one victory in 16 matches, making McGinn's late strike all the more significant as it came against a Croatia side reduced to 10 men. While McGinn's goal secured the points, it was also a night to remember for 19-year-old Ben Doak, who made a notable impact on the international stage. His performance captured the attention of the Tartan Army, and manager Steve Clarke expressed his approval, saying, “He was good. I thought he might be.”

Ronaldo-mania took center stage at Hampden Park, but Scotland managed to hold Portugal to a draw. The highlight for Scottish fans was witnessing Cristiano Ronaldo, in his 200th international start, passionately expressing his emotions throughout the match. Despite the occasion, he was unable to score his 134th goal or lead his team to an away victory. As the final whistle blew, Ronaldo quickly left the pitch, visibly frustrated. His complaints seemed to stem from the referee's decision not to allow Portugal to take a corner kick in the dying moments of the game. However, the lack of effectiveness displayed by Roberto Martínez’s side over the course of the match suggested that this late incident was of little consequence.