Postpublished at 21:57 British Summer Time 6 June
FT: Scotland 1-3 Iceland
One big question for Scotland before Monday's trip to Liechtenstein is what to do in goal.
Cieran Slicker looked incredibly shaky after replacing Angus Gunn early on.
Summary
Gudjohnsen lashes in stunning opener but Souttar levels from corner
Ferguson nudges into own net and Palsson header evades Slicker
Goalkeeper Slicker endures horror debut - who is he?
Scotland play Liechtenstein on Monday (17:00 BST)
Postpublished at 21:57 British Summer Time 6 June
'Players didn't give fans enough'published at 21:55 British Summer Time 6 June
FT: Scotland 1-3 Iceland
Willie Miller
Former Aberdeen defender on BBC SportsoundYou can understand the frustration that fans have.
The atmosphere was dreadful, but the players didn't give the fans enough.
There was more than Cieran Slicker that was the problem tonight. Defensively, it just wasn't organised.
'We need to go back to basics'published at 21:53 British Summer Time 6 June
FT: Scotland 1-3 Iceland
Lyndon Dykes
Scotland striker on BBC SportsceneFootball is a lot about momentum.
When you're playing you need to be winning games. When you don't win them, and you're not winning, you don't perform, it's extra hurt, it's extra eyes looking in.
I think we need to go back to our basics. We've been here before, people doubted us all the time. We need to make sure we get back to it and get the hunger back
Postpublished at 21:51 British Summer Time 6 June
FT: Scotland 1-3 Iceland
There is definitely concern, Faddy.
There is simply no way Scotland are going to a World Cup playing like that.
Postpublished at 21:49 British Summer Time 6 June
FT: Scotland 1-3 Iceland
James McFadden
Former Scotland forward on BBC ScotlandThere has to be a concern.
We need to start building momentum going into this qualification campaign because it is a tough group.
'Nowhere near good enough' - Robertsonpublished at 21:48 British Summer Time 6 June
FT: Scotland 1-3 Iceland
Scotland captain Andy Robertson tells BBC Scotland: "I think we all know that's nowhere near good enough.
"I don't want to say too much, we need to digest this and speak in the changing room before we start doing interviews.
"I think we were too easily played through, any chance they had they scored. We weren't good enough on the ball, created chances but didn't take them. Nowhere near good enough.
"Getting beat 3-1 at home by a team that, no disrespect, you should beat but they've been better than us. I imagine they've had more possession, I'd imagine more chances, they've got more goals and that's all that matters.
"I don't think you can put a finger on one thing but we need to get it right pretty quickly."
Image source, SNSPostpublished at 21:45 British Summer Time 6 June
FT: Scotland 1-3 Iceland
Scott Mullen
BBC Scotland at Hampden ParkA brief managerial handshake and Steve Clarke goes straight down the tunnel.
Scotland, led by a hobbling Scott McTominay, soon follow him.
Could be worse. Couldn't it?
'Questions will be asked'published at 21:43 British Summer Time 6 June
FT: Scotland 1-3 Iceland
Steven Thompson
Former Scotland striker on BBC SportsceneWe're getting closer to the real stuff and it's been so long since we qualified for a World Cup.
If you go back only a very short period of time Steve Clarke could do no wrong.
This is still a defeat, at home, to a weaker nation than ourselves and questions will be asked. When you go into proper World Cup qualifying, these performances won't be tolerated.
FULL-TIMEpublished at 21:42 British Summer Time 6 June
Scotland 1-3 Iceland
A night to forget for Steve Clarke and Scotland.
Iceland are deserved winners at Hampden and the hosts are booed off.
Image source, SNSPostpublished at 21:39 British Summer Time 6 June
Scotland 1-3 Iceland
Three minutes added on.
Hampden is very empty.
Postpublished at 90 mins
Scotland 1-3 Iceland
Steven Thompson has just named George Hirst as his player of the match.
Slim pickings.
'Scotland lacking across the park'published at 21:37 British Summer Time 6 June
Scotland 1-3 Iceland
Willie Miller
Former Aberdeen defender on BBC SportsoundScotland struggle when teams put up this barrier, a block, and that's what Iceland have done.
You're looking for someone with some quality, class, and guile to open them up, and we really haven't had that, and that has been a problem.
Defensively, tonight has been our major issue.
Postpublished at 87 mins
Scotland 1-3 Iceland
John McGinn dinks a shot towards goal, but it's easily tipped over the top by goalkeeper Elias Olafsson.
Lennon Miller is booked from the subsequent corner for halting a counter-attack.
Postpublished at 21:33 British Summer Time 6 June
Scotland 1-3 Iceland
Steven Thompson
Former Scotland striker on BBC SportsceneWhen you come back in and start pre-season you literally don't stop right the way through until June so you can understand the fatigue.
Postpublished at 82 mins
Scotland 1-3 Iceland
Just over eight minutes to go at Hampden.
Eerie atmosphere inside Hampdenpublished at 21:29 British Summer Time 6 June
Scotand 1-3 Iceland
Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland at HampdenIt’s quiet inside the national stadium, very quiet.
The Scotland fans haven’t been entertained here tonight, and the lack of atmosphere is quite telling.
It’s been a poor performance from their side tonight, and it’s given them little to get excited about.
Postpublished at 79 mins
Scotland 1-3 Iceland
Scott McTominay is now in a heap in the middle of the park after a heavy tackle.
While he gets his breath back, Steve Clarke throws on Nathan Patterson and Tommy Conway.
Postpublished at 75 mins
Scotland 1-3 Iceland
John McGinn floats a forward to no-one in particular.
It looks like 11 strangers in the dark blue of Scotland.
Postpublished at 71 mins
Scotland 1-3 Iceland
Max Johnston lets fly from about 45 yards.
It ends up in row Z.
It's Miller timepublished at 21:17 British Summer Time 6 June
Scotland 1-3 Iceland
Scott Mullen
BBC Scotland at Hampden ParkLennon Miller comes on the park and is immediately approached by captain Andy Robertson for a word of advice.
A brief steer, a pat on the back and the teenager is on his way.
Is this our bright spark?
Scotland's preparations for a tilt at a first World Cup in 28 years began in ignominy as a chorus of booing greeted a bleak friendly defeat by Iceland.
A calamitous first half at Hampden brought injury and, with it, insult as the Scots were a goalkeeper and a goal down within eight minutes.
Angus Gunn hobbled off after playing just two minutes, but debutant substitute Cieran Slicker was on for 64 seconds before his poor kick out was intercepted, funnelled forward, and rattled into the roof of his net by Andri Gudjohnsen.
John Souttar's header squirmed in to kindle some life in a half-filled national stadium, only for more dreadful defending just before the break leading to Lewis Ferguson nudging the ball past Slicker's despairing grasp and into his own net.
Boos greeted that goal and half-time, and would be heard again seven minutes after the restart when Victor Palsson's bullet header went through Slicker's hands. An lengthy VAR check failed to save Scotland.
Technology thwarted the Scots again when George Hirst's tap in was ruled out for Scott McTominay being offside in the build-up, but in truth it was a comeback that never looked like being merited.
- Published1 day ago
- Published1 day ago
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Slicker error leads to shock Iceland lead
Context lost when emotion involved
It is early doors for Scotland and Clarke. In fact, the 2026 World Cup campaign hasn't even started yet. But this whole affair had an air of end-of-season to it.
Losing your goalkeeper after two minutes is a huge disruption. So is throwing on one in Ipswich Town back-up Slicker who has only played 10 minutes of football since August 2023 and never appeared in a league game.
Clarke chose to experiment in his starting XI, but it was evolution rather than revolution with his changes.
Max Johnston didn't disgrace himself at right-wing back, Hirst was unfortunate not to get his goal, and Motherwell teenager Lennon Miller got his first cap.
However, Scotland had won all six previous meetings with Iceland and, even with taking a long season into , the Tartan Army would have expected more.
The few who were left inside Hampden at full-time articulated that clearly.
Next up is a trip to Liechtenstein on Monday - live on BBC Scotland if you're brave enough - before the proper stuff begins in September.
Right now, that feels a long way away. Even this far out, so does the prospect of a first World Cup since 1998.
Souttar heads Scotland level against Iceland
What they said
Scotland captain Andy Robertson: "We all know that's nowhere near good enough.
"I don't want to say too much - we need to digest this and speak in the changing room before we start doing interviews.
"Getting beat 3-1 at home by a team that, no disrespect, we should beat... but they've been better than us. We need to get it right pretty quickly."
Scotland midfielder Lewis Ferguson: "It's been a long season but we're here to do a job. We set out to win but we were nowhere near the standard anybody expects.
"We conceded sloppy goals from set pieces and that's just not good enough."
Scotland defender John Souttar: "It didn't go at all how we wanted it to go. We wanted to dominate and take the ball to them and we never got going at all.
"We need to go and win the game [against Lichtenstein], put on a performance and get a bit of momentum back going into the September internationals."
Iceland retake the lead through Ferguson own goal
Match stats
Scotland have lost 12 of their last 21 matches in all competitions (W4 D5). Since the date of the first defeat in this run (12 September, 2023), that's as many defeats as San Marino have suffered.
Iceland's three goals were as many as they'd scored in all six previous matches they'd played against Scotland combined.
Andri Gudjohnsen has followed in the footsteps of his father, Eidur, in scoring at Hampden - Eidur Gudjohnsen netted for Iceland in a 2-1 defeat in 2003.
Goalkeeper Slicker made his debut at 22 years and 264 days - the youngest keeper since Craig Gordon in September 2005 (22y 250d). He conceded 64 seconds after coming on (subbed on 6:37, Gudjohnsen goal at 7:41).
Kieran Tierney became the 41st player to win 50 caps for Scotland. At 28 years and one day old, he's the seventh youngest to do so.
Ferguson's own goal was the first by a Scotland player since Stephen O'Donnell against Russia in June 2019.
Iceland score third as Scotland start second half poorly
Related topics
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Friday 6th June
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Gambia
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Burkina Faso 2 , Zimbabwe 0 at Full time
Burkina Faso
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Mauritania 2 , Central African Republic 1 at Full time
Mauritania
Central African Republic
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Burundi 1 , Guinea-Bissau 0 at Full time
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Gabon 3 , Niger 4 at Full time
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Team Lineups
home team, Scotland
Manager: Steve Clarke
Formation: 5 - 4 - 1
Pitch Formation
1, Gunn, Goalkeeper
22, Johnston, Wing Back
15, Souttar, Defender
5, Hanley, Defender
6, Tierney, Defender
3, Robertson, Wing Back
7, McGinn, Midfielder
19, Ferguson, Midfielder
8, Gilmour, Midfielder
4, McTominay, Midfielder
9, Hirst, Striker
Starting lineup
- Number 1, A. Gunn , substituted for C. Slicker at 7 minutes
- Number 6, K. Tierney , substituted for L. Miller at 68 minutes
- Number 5, G. Hanley , substituted for S. McKenna at 68 minutes
- Number 15, J. Souttar
- Number 3, A. Robertson , Captain
- Number 22, M. Johnston , substituted for N. Patterson at 80 minutes
- Number 4, S. McTominay , substituted for T. Conway at 80 minutes
- Number 8, B. Gilmour
- Number 19, L. Ferguson
- Number 7, J. McGinn , Yellow Card at 51 minutes
- Number 9, G. Hirst , substituted for C. Adams at 68 minutes
Substitutes
home team, Scotland
- Number 10, C. Adams
- Number 20, C. Barron
- Number 25, K. Bowie
- Number 11, T. Conway
- Number 23, J. Doig
- Number 13, J. Hendry
- Number 17, A. Irving
- Number 12, R. McCrorie
- Number 16, S. McKenna
- Number 14, L. Miller , Yellow Card at 88 minutes
- Number 24, N. Patterson
- Number 2, A. Ralston
- Number 21, C. Slicker
- Number 18, J. Wilson
away team, Iceland
Manager: Arnar Gunnlaugsson
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Pitch Formation
1, Ólafsson, Goalkeeper
4, Pálsson, Defender
5, Ingason, Defender
23, Hördur Magnússon, Defender
24, Ellertsson, Defender
16, Thórdarson, Defensive Midfielder
6, Jóhannesson, Defensive Midfielder
11, Thorsteinsson, Attacking Midfielder
10, Albert Gudmundsson, Attacking Midfielder
8, Haraldsson, Attacking Midfielder
22, Gudjohnsen, Striker
Starting lineup
- Number 1, E. Ólafsson
- Number 24, M. Ellertsson
- Number 23, H. Magnússon , substituted for D. Grétarsson at 46 minutes
- Number 5, S. Ingason , substituted for A. Gunnarsson at 77 minutes
- Number 4, V. Pálsson , substituted for D. Þórhallsson at 60 minutes
- Number 6, Í. Jóhannesson , substituted for A. Traustason at 72 minutes
- Number 16, S. Þórðarson , substituted for M. Anderson at 72 minutes
- Number 8, H. Haraldsson , Captain
- Number 10, A. Guðmundsson
- Number 11, J. Þorsteinsson , Yellow Card at 69 minutes, substituted for W. Willumsson at 72 minutes
- Number 22, A. Guðjohnsen
away team, Iceland
- Number 18, M. Anderson
- Number 13, A. Einarsson
- Number 3, D. Grétarsson
- Number 14, Þ. Helgason
- Number 20, K. Hlynsson
- Number 9, S. Magnússon
- Number 17, A. Gunnarsson
- Number 21, A. Traustason
- Number 2, L. Tómasson
- Number 12, H. Valdimarsson
- Number 15, W. Willumsson
- Number 19, D. Þórhallsson
home team, Scotland
Manager: Steve Clarke
Formation: 5 - 4 - 1
Pitch Formation
1, Gunn, Goalkeeper
22, Johnston, Wing Back
15, Souttar, Defender
5, Hanley, Defender
6, Tierney, Defender
3, Robertson, Wing Back
7, McGinn, Midfielder
19, Ferguson, Midfielder
8, Gilmour, Midfielder
4, McTominay, Midfielder
9, Hirst, Striker
Starting lineup
- Number 1, A. Gunn , substituted for C. Slicker at 7 minutes
- Number 6, K. Tierney , substituted for L. Miller at 68 minutes
- Number 5, G. Hanley , substituted for S. McKenna at 68 minutes
- Number 15, J. Souttar
- Number 3, A. Robertson , Captain
- Number 22, M. Johnston , substituted for N. Patterson at 80 minutes
- Number 4, S. McTominay , substituted for T. Conway at 80 minutes
- Number 8, B. Gilmour
- Number 19, L. Ferguson
- Number 7, J. McGinn , Yellow Card at 51 minutes
- Number 9, G. Hirst , substituted for C. Adams at 68 minutes
Substitutes
- Number 10, C. Adams
- Number 20, C. Barron
- Number 25, K. Bowie
- Number 11, T. Conway
- Number 23, J. Doig
- Number 13, J. Hendry
- Number 17, A. Irving
- Number 12, R. McCrorie
- Number 16, S. McKenna
- Number 14, L. Miller , Yellow Card at 88 minutes
- Number 24, N. Patterson
- Number 2, A. Ralston
- Number 21, C. Slicker
- Number 18, J. Wilson
away team, Iceland
Manager: Arnar Gunnlaugsson
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Pitch Formation
1, Ólafsson, Goalkeeper
4, Pálsson, Defender
5, Ingason, Defender
23, Hördur Magnússon, Defender
24, Ellertsson, Defender
16, Thórdarson, Defensive Midfielder
6, Jóhannesson, Defensive Midfielder
11, Thorsteinsson, Attacking Midfielder
10, Albert Gudmundsson, Attacking Midfielder
8, Haraldsson, Attacking Midfielder
22, Gudjohnsen, Striker
Starting lineup
- Number 1, E. Ólafsson
- Number 24, M. Ellertsson
- Number 23, H. Magnússon , substituted for D. Grétarsson at 46 minutes
- Number 5, S. Ingason , substituted for A. Gunnarsson at 77 minutes
- Number 4, V. Pálsson , substituted for D. Þórhallsson at 60 minutes
- Number 6, Í. Jóhannesson , substituted for A. Traustason at 72 minutes
- Number 16, S. Þórðarson , substituted for M. Anderson at 72 minutes
- Number 8, H. Haraldsson , Captain
- Number 10, A. Guðmundsson
- Number 11, J. Þorsteinsson , Yellow Card at 69 minutes, substituted for W. Willumsson at 72 minutes
- Number 22, A. Guðjohnsen
Substitutes
- Number 18, M. Anderson
- Number 13, A. Einarsson
- Number 3, D. Grétarsson
- Number 14, Þ. Helgason
- Number 20, K. Hlynsson
- Number 9, S. Magnússon
- Number 17, A. Gunnarsson
- Number 21, A. Traustason
- Number 2, L. Tómasson
- Number 12, H. Valdimarsson
- Number 15, W. Willumsson
- Number 19, D. Þórhallsson
- Referee:
- Granit Maqedonci
- Video Assistant Referee:
- Nicholas Hopton
- Assistant Referee 1:
- Marcus Lundgren Klitte
- Assistant Referee 2:
- Simon Kristensson
- Fourth Official:
- Mohammed Al-Hakim
- Assistant VAR Official:
- Andy Madley
Match Officials
Match Stats
Key, Scotland v IcelandOverall possession
Shots
Scotland 15Iceland 5Shots on target
Scotland 5Iceland 3Total touches inside the box
Scotland 30Iceland 5Goalkeeper saves
Scotland 1Iceland 4Fouls
Scotland 11Iceland 12Corners
Scotland 6Iceland 1Advanced match stats
Shots
Scotland 15Iceland 5Shots on target
Scotland 5Iceland 3Shots off target
Scotland 4Iceland 1Blocked shots
Scotland 6Iceland 1Attempts out of box
Scotland 4Iceland 4Total offside
Scotland 2Iceland 0Total tackles
Scotland 7Iceland 14Won tackles
Scotland 4Iceland 9Fouls
Scotland 11Iceland 12Total yellow cards
Scotland 2Iceland 1Total clearances
Scotland 13Iceland 27Headed clearances
Scotland 11Iceland 11Duels won
Scotland 37Iceland 37Errors leading to shots
Scotland 0Iceland 1Total es
Scotland 538Iceland 429Accurate es
Scotland 455Iceland 341Backward es
Scotland 92Iceland 87Forward es
Scotland 157Iceland 150Total long balls
Scotland 54Iceland 73Successful final third es
Scotland 88Iceland 31Total crosses
Scotland 22Iceland 2Touches
Scotland 699Iceland 577Touches in the box
Scotland 30Iceland 5Dispossessed
Scotland 8Iceland 5Goalkeeper saves
Scotland 1Iceland 4Diving saves
Scotland 0Iceland 4Saved shots from inside the box
Scotland 0Iceland 3Saved shots from outside the box
Scotland 1Iceland 1Keeper throws
Scotland 5Iceland 7Goal kicks
Scotland 1Iceland 6Season so far
Friendlies
Key, Scotland v Iceland
Form guide
All competitions
Scotland lose
v Greece
0
3
UEFA Nations League
Iceland lose
v Kosovo
1
3
UEFA Nations League
Scotland won
v Greece
0
1
UEFA Nations League
Iceland lose
v Kosovo
2
1
UEFA Nations League
Scotland won
v Poland
1
2
UEFA Nations League
Iceland lose
v Wales
4
1
UEFA Nations League
Scotland won
v Croatia
1
0
UEFA Nations League
Iceland won
v Montenegro
0
2
UEFA Nations League
Scotland draw
v Portugal
0
0
UEFA Nations League
Iceland lose
v Turkey
2
4
UEFA Nations League
Previous meetings
All competitions
Scotland and IcelandScotland Won 6Iceland Won 0Draw 0
Played
6
Previous scores
All competitions
UEFA World Cup Qualifiers
Scotland 2 , Iceland 1 on the 1st of April 2009
Scotland
Iceland
1st of April 2009
Iceland 1 , Scotland 2 on the 10th of September 2008
Iceland
Scotland
10th of September 2008
UEFA European Championship Qualifiers
Scotland 2 , Iceland 1 on the 29th of March 2003
Scotland
Iceland
29th of March 2003
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- Skip back to previous meetings
- Skip back to form guide
- Skip back to season so far
Match Facts
Scotland have won all six of their previous meetings with Iceland, only holding better 100%-win rates against Cyprus (9) and San Marino (8).
This will be Iceland’s first visit to Hampden Park since a 2-1 defeat in World Cup qualifying in April 2009, with Steven Fletcher and Ross McCormack scoring their first international goals for Scotland.
Scotland have won just one of their last eight home games in all competitions (D3 L4), having won six in a row at Hampden Park prior.
Iceland have lost each of their last three games in all competitions, last losing more consecutively between October 2020 and March 2021 (7 in a row).
Despite losing 3-0 last time out to Greece, Scotland have won three of their last four matches, after winning just one of 16 games prior across all competitions (D5 L10).
Iceland manager and former Dundee United forward Arnar Gunnlaugsson has lost his first two games in charge of the nation. His predecessor Åge Hareide also lost his first three.
Since the start of 2023, Scott McTominay has scored more than double the number of goals any other player has for Scotland (11 – John McGinn, 5). The Serie A MVP has netted in three of his last four national team appearances when facing an opponent for the first time: vs Switzerland, Portugal and Greece.
Lennon Miller (18 years, 285 days) could make his debut in this game, with 18-year-old James Wilson debuting against Greece last time out. The only previous calendar year to see two 18-year-olds debut was in 2016, when Kieran Tierney and Oliver Burke did so.