This could affect Steve Clarke more than Scotland's humiliation at the hands of Germany, which opens Euro 2024. The events in Zagreb could be more damaging to the Scottish coach than the insipid defeat against Hungary that ended his participation in the same competition.

With the Scots desperately needing hope, they believed they had equalized in the 95th minute in the Croatian capital. Clarke celebrated in a way that was far from typical for a man of his stoicism. The video assistant referee determined that Ché Adams was offside before his shot flew into the net from Kristijan Jakic. It was the final act of the game and the latest blow to Clarke's morale. Extending a one-win run in 15 games would have been happily accepted had Adams' intervention endured. Scotland probably deserved a draw. All of this felt irrelevant as the bones of another defeat were rummaged through. They remain without a point in Group A1 and have not won in nine competitive games.

“You get the high when you think you deserve a draw, then it’s taken away from you,” Clarke said. “The performance was really good. We have to believe that we are on the right path. At some point we will get the green belt, we will take a break and things will change.”

Although poor form was the biggest problem, illness had also struck the Scotland camp in the lead-up to this game. Clarke could have done without it; he was already missing a dozen players due to injuries. The crisis creates opportunities. Ben Doak, the Liverpool teenager who is currently on loan at Middlesbrough, was given his first start in Scotland here. Such is Scotland's desperation for emerging talent that Doak has been surrounded by giddiness for some time. “I love him,” Clarke said afterwards.

What was striking was the first half hour in which Croatia dominated the ball because they had no chance. Luka Sucic fired a free-kick into the Scottish wall after Grant Hanley clumsily knocked over Igor Matanovic. John Souttar blocked well against Andrej Kramaric. In response, Billy Gilmour shot from long range straight into the hands of Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic, and Ryan Christie delivered a threatening cross from the left that Lyndon Dykes narrowly evaded. It took 30 minutes for the hosts to trouble Craig Gordon, back in Scotland's goal at the age of 41, with the Hearts keeper parrying an angled shot from Kramaric.

Clarke's team soon found a foothold. The problem was that they only did this for 203 seconds. Doak caused panic in the Croatian defense with a lightning-fast run from the right flank. Scott McTominay continued to shoot, Josip Sutalo botched his attempted save and Christie struck from a tight angle. Duje Caleta-Car's attempt to clear the ball off the line proved futile.

Croatia's reaction was immediate. Ivan Perisic was the creator, with a wonderful back pass that left the Scottish backline wrong-footed. Matanovic smashed through Souttar's legs and left Gordon helpless. Croatia was worthy of break parity. It was just that Scotland, needing so much momentum, would regret the circumstances in which it came. One step forward, one step back.

An acrobatic performance from Gordon prevented Luka Modric from giving Croatia the lead early in the second half. Gordon's presence meant Modric, 39, was in the rare situation of being on the pitch next to someone older than him. This was international number 181 for the Real Madrid midfielder. Gordon's 76th goal came four months after the end of his international career.

McTominay was unable to untangle his feet as he tried to fend off a knockdown from Dykes. Croatia's shaky defense boosted Scotland's hopes. Half an hour before the end of the game, Scotland were far more stubborn than at most points in the last 12 months. The Scots' only mistake was the lack of a great final pass. Modric almost unsettled the visitors with this spectacular shot, shooting just wide after dancing past McTominay.

Life stood still as Croatia gained a decisive lead. Perisic fed Borna Sosa with a deep cross, and Gordon parried the midfielder's volley excellently. Scotland's problem was that the ball floated up into the air and over the goal. Kramaric had the easiest task with a header from two meters. Christie and Adams missed their chances before the late drama. The current Scottish scene was embodied in restrained cheers.