Scotland 2–1 North Macedonia: McGinn's double keeps promotion hopes alive on Robertson's record-equalling night
Scotland beat North Macedonia 2–1 at Hampden Park on Friday night in the UEFA Nations League, after a goalless first half in which the home side were booed off. John McGinn opened the scoring on 54 minutes from Che Adams' assist, Elmin Rastoder headed an equaliser three minutes later, and McGinn won it from the penalty spot after a VAR review. His second goal was his 24th for Scotland, taking him joint-third on the all-time list, and captain Andy Robertson's 102nd cap equalled Kenny Dalglish's appearance record. Scotland stay third in League B Group 1 on seven points and must win in Switzerland on Monday to keep their promotion play-off hopes alive.
Key points
- Scotland 2–1 North Macedonia at Hampden — McGinn scored both goals after a goalless first half.
- Rastoder's 57th-minute header levelled for the visitors, their first goal of the league phase.
- McGinn's winner took him to 24 Scotland goals, joint-third all-time; Robertson's 102nd cap equals Dalglish's record.
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- Scotland must win in Switzerland on Monday and hope Slovenia slip up to reach the promotion play-offs.
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What happened
Scotland were booed off at half-time after Dimitrievski denied them three times and Billy Gilmour missed an open goal, before McGinn broke through nine minutes after the restart. Rastoder's header levelled almost at once, and the winner came from the spot after VAR spotted the foul on Gannon-Doak.
It was a night of landmarks at Hampden: Robertson drew level with Dalglish at the top of the caps list and can take the record outright in Switzerland on Monday, while McGinn moved level with Hughie Gallacher on the scoring list.
Match facts — all verified
- ✓ VerifiedScotland beat North Macedonia 2–1 at Hampden Park on Friday 13 November in UEFA Nations League League B Group 1, after a goalless first half.Sky Sports — Scotland 2-1 North Macedonia match report (13 Nov 2026) · Aston Villa — McGinn nets brace for Scotland (13 Nov 2026)
- ✓ VerifiedJohn McGinn scored both Scotland goals: the opener on 54 minutes, running onto Che Adams' ball and curling it in, and the winner from the penalty spot after a VAR review found goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski had brought down Ben Gannon-Doak; Elmin Rastoder headed North Macedonia's equaliser on 57 minutes from Enis Bardhi's corner.Sky Sports — Scotland 2-1 North Macedonia match report (13 Nov 2026) · Glasgow Times (PA) — John McGinn scores twice as Scotland edge past North Macedonia (13 Nov 2026)
- ✓ VerifiedMcGinn's second goal was his 24th for Scotland, taking him joint-third on the country's all-time scoring list level with Hughie Gallacher, and captain Andy Robertson won his 102nd cap, equalling Kenny Dalglish's Scotland appearance record.Aston Villa — McGinn nets brace for Scotland (13 Nov 2026) · Sky Sports — Scotland 2-1 North Macedonia match report (13 Nov 2026)
- ✓ VerifiedThe win was head coach Sebastien Pocognoli's first at home with Scotland. Scotland stay third in Group B1 on seven points, one behind second-placed Slovenia, and must win away to group winners Switzerland on Monday and hope Slovenia drop points against North Macedonia to reach the promotion play-offs.Sky Sports — Scotland 2-1 North Macedonia match report (13 Nov 2026) · Glasgow Times (PA) — John McGinn scores twice as Scotland edge past North Macedonia (13 Nov 2026)
What we know / what we don't know yet
What we know
- The result, the scorers and both landmarks are settled across the match reports and the federation's own full-time post.
What we don't know yet
- Whether Scotland reach the play-offs — it depends on Monday's results in Switzerland and in Slovenia's game against North Macedonia.