Scotland had a torrid time of it at Hampden Park as Slovenia came from behind to win 2-1. Ryan Christie’s scrappy first-half goal gave the home side a lead they scarcely deserved, but Slovenia were the better side for long periods and turned the game around after the interval through Aljosa Matko and Danijel Sturm.
The defeat leaves Scotland third in Nations League Group B1 with four points, with November’s fixtures against North Macedonia and Switzerland now carrying huge weight.
Scotland made a nervous start and were fortunate not to fall behind in the 13th minute. Adam Gnezda Cerin met Danijel Sturm’s cutback close to goal, but Jack Hendry was on hand to clear from near the line.
The hosts then took the lead with their first real opening after Ben Gannon-Doak won a free-kick. Lewis Ferguson played the ball wide to Gannon-Doak, whose cross was headed against the post by Hendry. Oli McBurnie attempted to turn the rebound towards goal, but it fell to Christie, who bundled it over the line from close range.
Slovenia continued to threaten and should have levelled before half-time. Zan Vipotnik found space in the penalty area after evading Hendry, only for Andy Robertson to produce an important sliding challenge to prevent a certain goal.
Robertson, who had reached 100 Scotland caps in Saturday’s victory over North Macedonia, was again called upon shortly after the restart as Hendry blocked another Vipotnik effort.
Scotland had a chance to extend their advantage in the 52nd minute when Gannon-Doak broke forward and released Christie inside the area. Jan Oblak stood firm to deny the midfielder, and Slovenia punished the miss four minutes later.
The equaliser came after Scotland surrendered possession from a throw-in. Sturm played the ball into Matko, who brushed aside Luis Binks before sending a low shot beyond Angus Gunn from the edge of the area.
The momentum had shifted decisively towards the visitors. Sturm then missed a chance to put Slovenia ahead before Pocognoli changed his defensive shape, but Scotland continued to struggle.
Slovenia eventually found the winner in the 71st minute. Matko accelerated down the right and delivered a low cross into the area, where Sturm arrived to finish from seven yards.
Pocognoli sent on Josh McPake for his Scotland debut as the hosts searched for a response, but their late pressure produced little.
