Scotland 2-1 North Macedonia: McGinn calls for more belief after decisive double

UEFA Nations League,
League B – 5

Scotland
SCO

FIRE Macedonia
MAC

Hampden Park Stadium

Mical Ocenas

John McGinn 54′
John McGinn 74′ (Pen)

Elmin Rastoder 57′

John McGinn shouted Scotland to show more belief after his brace gave them a 2-1 lead UEFA Nations League win North Macedonia.

Sebastien Pognocoli’s men were made to work hard for the points in the Group B1 clash, although the win keeps their hopes of a promotion play-off alive.

After an underwhelming first half, McGinn gave Scotland the lead in the 54th minute, breaking into the box and firing home after good work from Che Adams in a scramble for a long ball.

However, the lead was short-lived, Elmin Rastoder’s near-post header proving important at Hampden Park as Scotland were punished for poor defending at a corner.

But McGinn’s 74th-minute penalty secured victory after North Macedonia goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski was adjudged to have fouled Ben Gannon-Doak following a VAR review.

Scotland are one point behind second-placed Slovenia, who have the head-to-head record advantage, in the group and will need to beat Switzerland and a North Macedonia favor to secure a place in the promotion play-offs.

But McGinn is thinking about the bigger picture as Scotland progress towards the Euro 2028 qualifiers, which start next March.

He told BBC Scotland: “A bit (like Hard Work), we’re playing a very different style.

“It reminds me of my club team (Aston Villa) at the start of the season, it’s important that we are together.

“We’ve managed to get the Nations League to be used as a staple for the qualifiers

“It wasn’t pretty at times, but it was important. (We have to show) a little more belief.”

The UEFA Nations League table

Next matches of Scotland and North Macedonia