Scotland secured their first victory under the management of Sebastian Pocognoli, defeating North Macedonia 2-0 in the UEFA Nations League.
The visitors dominated throughout on a heavily damaged pitch in Skopje. Their strong start paid off early when Kieron Bowie scored his first international goal in the 7th minute. The North Macedonian goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski was the only player preventing a heavier defeat.
In the second half, John McGinn confidently converted a penalty awarded for a handball. Near the end of the match, Scott McKenna was sent off, but Scotland comfortably held on to their lead.
UEFA Nations League 2026-27
North Macedonia – Scotland 0:2 (0:1)
Goals: Bowie 7 (0:1); McGinn J., 69 (penalty) (0:2)
North Macedonia: Dimitrievski; Ilievski B. (substituted by Doriev, 62); Herrera S. (substituted by Dzekov, 31); Musliu; Melhici; Mladenovski; Stankovski (substituted by Atanasov, 31); Gashtarov (substituted by Maleski, 79); Bardi (substituted by Elezi, 62); Elmas; Miovski
Substitutions: Dzekov (31), Atanasov (31), Elezi (62), Doriev (62), Maleski (79)
Reserves: Taleski; Shishkovski; Stoychevski A.; Kostadinov T.; Omeradziki; Mitrovski; Rastoder
Yellow cards: Atanasov 37; Dzekov 44; Mladenovski 45; Miovski 68; Melhici 80
Scotland: Gunn; Robertson E.; Binks; Welsh S.; McKenna S. (sent off 83); Gilmore B. (substituted by Graham, 88); McGinn J.; Ferguson L.; Doak (substituted by Hickey, 75); McBurnie (substituted by Christie, 46); Bowie (substituted by Yure P., 76)
Substitutions: Christie (46), Hickey (75), Yure P. (76), Graham (88)
Reserves: Kelly L.; Bain; Doig; Donovan K.; Patterson N.; Miller L.; McPeak; Montgomery Cr.
Yellow cards: McBurnie 6
Red cards: McKenna S. 83
Related Stories
