Croatia reach UEFA Nations League quarterfinals after Portugal draw

Josko Gvardiol scored his first international goal in two years to rescue a point as Croatia battled to a 1-1 draw against Portugal, in a UEFA Nations League A Group 1 match at home in Split on Monday, with both teams advancing to the March 2025 quarterfinals.

Portugal were already assured of top spot in the pool ahead of kickoff and left Cristiano Ronaldo out of their squad. Croatia finished in second place with eight points from six games.

The visitors took the lead on a superb finish from Joao Felix, who expertly controlled Vitinha's perfect pass into his path and lashed the ball low past Dominik Livakovic in the home goal.

Croatia came close to an equalizer when Gvardiol cushioned a header towards Andrej Kramaric, whose shot crashed into the post and ricocheted away to safety.

Kristijan Jakic's cross to the back post was perfect for Gvardiol to beat Portugal goalkeeper Jose Sa from close range and level the score, his third international goal and first since the 2022 World Cup.

Livakovic produced a brilliant point-blank save to deny Nuno Mendes a winner, while at the other end, Sa made a fingertip stop against Ante Budimir, who appeared sure to score from six yards, before also hitting the post later in the match.

Scotland rescue Nations League relegation playoff spot with late Poland win

A last-gasp goal by Andy Robertson gave Scotland a 2-1 away win over Poland in a pulsating Group A1 clash, a result that saw the Scots clinch a relegation playoff spot, while the Poles were relegated to the second-tier League B.

John McGinn put Scotland in front after three minutes, before Poland's Kamil Piatkowski levelled with a stunning strike just before the hour mark. Robertson sealed the victory in stoppage time with a header that bounced in off the inside of the post.

Scotland, playing in the competition's top tier for the first time, finished third with seven points, three more than last-placed Poland, who had never dropped out of League A since the competition was launched in 2018.

Scotland will learn their next opponents in Friday's draw, with a two-legged League A/B playoff tie set for March 20 and 23, 2025.

The Scots got off to a flying start when McGinn, who had secured a late victory against Croatia in their previous game, gave them an early lead with a low strike inside the left corner.

Ben Doak received the ball on the edge of the area and teed up the midfielder, who struck the ball calmly first time.

Poland reacted instantly and Piatkowski forced Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon into a diving save to deny him from distance, before Karol Swiderski only found the side netting.

With Swiderski and Adam Buksa up front for the hosts in the absence of their injured all-time top scorer Robert Lewandowski, Poland intensified their efforts and Swiderski had another chance, but was denied by Gordon minutes later.

The opportunities kept coming for both sides, as Billy Gilmour and Scott McTominay should have doubled the lead for Scotland before the break, but hit the woodwork.

Poland equalized in the 59th minute through Piatkowski after Piotr Zielinski teed up the defender, who cut across the ball to fire into the far top corner for his first international goal.

Polish keeper Lukasz Skorupski stretched to keep out Lyndon Dykes' header six minutes later, but just when the hosts thought they had preserved their top-tier status, Robertson connected with John Souttar's cross and left Skorupski no chance.