UEFA Nations League: Group B1 Slovenia 0-0 Scotland Saturday, 26 September 2026 - 2pm kick off (UK time) Stadion Stožice, Ljubljana
Scorers Slovenia 0
Scotland 0
Team News
It was the start of a new era for Scotland and new Head Coach Sébastien Pocognoli made five changes from the side who started the Scots’ last match against Brazil at the World Cup in June.
Stephen Welsh came into the back line to make his Scotland debut, while Robbie Ure also won his first cap as he led the line.
He was joined in attack by Oli McBurnie who was making his first appearance for five years, while Aaron Hickey and Billy Gilmour returned to the line up after missing that last outing through injury.
There were some notable absentees for the Scots, however, with Scott McTominay, Che Adams and Lawrence Shankland injured, while Kenny Mclean and Kieran Tierney were also forced to withdraw after initially being named in the squad.
As it happened
Scotland began shooting away from the travelling supporters and Pocognoli’s players had to withstand some early pressure.
Andraz Sporar had the ball in the back of the net inside the first ten minutes, though the Slovenia striker was comfortably offside.
He was onside for his next opportunity in the 14th minute but he could only miskick wide from six yards out after being picked out by Danijel Sturm.
Scotland’s first chance fell to Hickey who saw his back post volley blocked, though the whistle had already gone for a foul against McBurnie.
In a half of few clear-cut chances, Scotland's next opening came in the 43rd minute as John McGinn released Robbie Ure, who played the ball back to Robertson. The captain's deep cross found its way to Hickey but once again his effort was blocked.
Scotland were finishing the half strongly and came even closer a minute later as Robbie Ure cut inside and unleashed a low effort from just outside that kissed the outside of the post before going wide.
The Scots continued where we had finished the first half as the second period began and McBurnie had a chance to grab his first Scotland goal on 51 minutes but Slovenian keeper Jan Oblak did well to smother the ball as McBurnie attempted to go around him.
The chances were starting to come thick and fast now and Gilmour was next to go close in the 59th minute as he played a delightful one-two with McBurnie before sidefooting straight at Oblak.
McBurnie was in the thick of the action moments later as he ran across to get his head on a threatening Robertson cross but the effort was directed over the bar.
Gilmour then released Ure in the 63rd minute but his low shot was deflected out for a corner as the Scotland pressure continued.
Hickey had been an unlikely goal threat all game and was inches away from getting off the mark for his country in the 69th minute as he glanced Robertson's corner inches wide.
Substitute Kieron Bowie then nearly made an instant impact as he cut inside superbly but, like Gilmour, his shot was too close to Oblak in the Slovenian goal.
The chances kept coming for Scotland and Welsh's perfect through ball released Bowie who attempted to dink the ball over Oblak who saved smartly again.
McBurnie then met that resulting corner with a powerful header but the goalkeeper was equal to it once again.
Bowie had impressed since coming on but he really should have given Scotland the lead with 15 minutes remaining as he slotted narrowly wide when put clean through by a precise Gilmour pass.
The striker was involved against in the 84th minute as he wanted a penalty after appearing to be held back in trying to reach a Robertson cross, while Welsh volleyed over at the end of the same passage of play.
Despite all the chances created, the Scots were unable to find the elusive goal, though travelling fans will be buoyed by the performance - especially in the second half, in Pocognoli's first game in charge.
Teams
Scotland: Gunn, Hendry, McKenna, Welsh, Hickey (Gannon-Doak 78), Ferguson, Gilmour, Robertson, McGinn, McBurnie, Ure (Bowie 67)
Unused Substitutes: Kelly, Bain, Binks, Doig, Christie, Miller, McPake, Graham, Patterson, Montgomery
Slovenia: Oblak, Karnicnik, Bijol, Sporar (Vipotnik 74), Elsnik, (Zabukovnik 64), Janza, Sturm, Matko, Drkusic, Gnezda Cerin, Brekalo
Unused substitutes: Vidovsek, Leban, Balkovec, Kuzmic, Begic, Lovric, Celar, Svetlin, Zec, Horvat
Next Up:
The games come thick and fast and Scotland are back in action on Tuesday, with Switzerland the visitors at Barclays Hampden. Tickets for that match are available here.
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