Wednesday’s 3-1 defeat to Brazil proved to be the final act of Steve Clarke’s seven-year tenure as Scotland manager. Over a record-breaking 81 games and three major tournament appearances, his reign delivered a rollercoaster of unforgettable highs and forgettable lows.
As the dust settles, we look back at the five defining matches that shaped the Clarke era.
Serbia 1-1 Scotland – Euro 2020 Playoff Final
On a rainy night in Belgrade, Scotland finally ended a gruelling 23-year exile from major tournament football. Ryan Christie’s 52nd-minute strike handed the Scots a priceless lead, but in typical fashion, we refused to make it easy.
Luka Jovic headed home a heartbreaking equaliser with mere seconds left on the clock, forcing a torturous period of extra time before the tie moved to penalties. Just as they had in the semi-final shootout against Israel, Steve Clarke’s men held their nerve, burying all five of their spot-kicks. The defining moment fell to David Marshall, who threw himself to his left to parry Aleksandar Mitrovic’s final effort past the post.
Marshall’s iconic save officially punched Scotland’s ticket to Euro 2020, banishing over two decades of tournament heartbreak. Coming at a time when the country was gripped by lockdown, the victory provided a nation under Steve Clarke with a much-needed shot of pure optimism and hope.
Scotland 1-3 Ukraine – World Cup 2022 Playoff Semi-Final
On a warm June evening in 2022, a raucous Hampden Park dared to dream. Scotland had roared to second place in their qualifying group, crowned by a rampant 2-0 home victory over Denmark, to secure a home playoff semi-final against Ukraine, leaving them just 180 minutes away from the World Cup.
But on a deeply emotional night, the Scots froze on the big stage and were pulled apart. Artem Dovbyk’s late strike put the final gloss on a 3-1 Ukrainian victory, sealing yet another “glorious failure” for Scotland.
Despite the crushing defeat, the match highlighted how far the national team had come. The sight of a packed, roaring Hampden stood in sharp contrast to the sparse crowds of Steve Clarke’s first match against Cyprus three years prior. Clarke’s side had successfully reunited the nation, leaving fans with a lingering belief that this gritty squad would take them all the way one day.
Scotland 2-0 Spain – Euro 2024 Group A Qualifying
Scotland’s charge to Euro 2024 was fuelled by an explosive five-match winning streak in Group A, headlined by a truly historic night at Hampden Park against Spain.
Steve Clarke got his tactics absolutely spot on. His meticulously organised back five completely frustrated the visitors, laying the perfect foundation for Scotland to hit them on the counterattack at breathtaking pace.
Scott McTominay emerged as the hero, striking early in each half to secure a famous 2-0 win, an evening made all the sweeter by Rodri’s post-match complaints about the length of the Hampden grass.
The result put the footballing world on notice. With Spain conquered, Scotland marched on to qualify for the tournament in style, brushing aside Norway, Cyprus, and Georgia along the way.
Scotland 4-2 Denmark – World Cup 2026 Group C Qualifying
Perhaps the most famous night in Scottish football history, this was the moment Scotland secured their place at the 2026 World Cup as Group C winners.
It was a fairytale evening, headlined by three of the greatest goals Hampden Park has ever witnessed. A towering overhead kick from Scott McTominay, a sublime curling strike from Kieran Tierney, and a spectacular effort from Kenny McLean from the halfway line sent the stadium into pure rapture. The match played out like a movie script, with a resilient, experienced Danish side twice pegging the Scots back.
But Steve Clarke had forged a team defined by character and grit. Even after suffering two heavy setbacks during the match, Scotland refused to buckle and fought back to claim victory.
Post-match, the players spoke passionately about an inspiring hotel speech Clarke had delivered before kickoff, proving they were a squad ready to run through brick walls for their manager. For all the inevitable frustrations of major tournament football, there is no question that Clarke’s side delivered an immortal night that will be cherished for decades to come.
Haiti 0-1 Scotland – World Cup 2026 Group C
In what would prove to be his final act, Steve Clarke led his team to Scotland’s first World Cup victory in over 30 years. There was a poetic symmetry to John McGinn’s deflected winner in the 28th minute, arriving exactly 28 years after the Scots had last graced the world stage at France ’98.
While the overall performance across the tournament wasn’t perfect, Clarke had achieved the unthinkable just by getting them there. The Tartan Army spent a glorious week partying across America. Though Scotland ultimately failed to progress to the knockout stages, their manager had given the nation one final, unforgettable night to celebrate.