Scotland 2-1 North Macedonia: John McGinn scores double as hosts toil in Nations League encounter
Match report as John McGinn scores twice in Scotland's win over North Macedonia at Hampden; Aston Villa midfielder gives hosts lead after McTominay and Gilmour go close; Rastoder's header levels scoring; McGinn penalty seals win after Gannon-Doak fouled; Scotland face Switzerland next
Friday 13 November 2026 21:51, UK
John McGinn's double rescued Scotland as they toiled to a 2-1 win over North Macedonia to keep their Nations League promotion hopes alive.
The hosts were booed off at half-time with the game goalless but there was a sense of relief - rather than joy - at the final whistle after McGinn's penalty secured the three points after Elmin Rastoder's header cancelled out the Aston Villa midfielder's opener.
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The win means Scotland can still finish second in Group B1 after Slovenia were held by Switzerland, but will have to win in St Gallen on Monday and hope North Macedonia do them a favour in their final game.
Scotland boss Sebastien Pocognoli secured his first win at Hampden on a night when skipper Andy Robertson earned his 102nd cap to equal the appearance record held by Sir Kenny Dalglish.
More to follow...
The key moments from Hampden Park
16: BIG SAVE! Scott McTominay controls the ball with his back to the goal, then turns sharply and shoots but Stole Dimitrievski gets down well to his left and keeps it out.
22: OVER! Andy Robertson delivers a free-kick into the box but Kieran Tierney's header loops over the bar.
27: SAVE! John McGinn's corner is met by Che Adams at the front post before his header takes a big deflection. It looks like it's heading in but Dimitrievski is equal to it again.
35: OVER! McTominay tries an acrobatic effort with an overhead kick but it sails over the bar and out of play.
39: MCTOMINAY DENIED! The ball is threaded into the feet of McTominay and he shoots from a tight angle but the goalkeeper makes another save to keep it level!
46: HOW HAS HE MISSED?! Adams capitalises on a loose back pass and squares the ball to Billy Gilmour. All he has to do is guide it on target and it is a goal but he skies it over the bar!
54: GOAL! Adams outmuscles the defender before poking the ball forward allowing McGinn to race onto it before curling the opener into the back of the net.
57: GOAL! North Macedonia shock Scotland with a quickfire equaliser. The corner is whipped into the box and Rastoder is there to glance it into the bottom corner.
75: GOAL! McGinn scores from the spot to restore Scotland's lead
Scotland's remaining Nations League Group B1 fixtures
- Monday November 16 - Switzerland (A), kick-off 7.45pm
