Scotland concluded their preparations for the FIFA World Cup with a convincing 4-1 victory over Curaçao in an international friendly held at Barclays Hampden in Glasgow on May 30, 2026. The match served as a final send-off before the team embarks on their World Cup journey to the USA.

Match Overview

Scotland showcased their attacking prowess with goals from Findlay Curtis, who scored just before halftime, and a brace from Lawrence Shankland, who found the net in the 59th and 64th minutes. Ryan Christie added a fourth goal in the 81st minute. Curaçao's Tahith Chong opened the scoring early in the match, netting in the 17th minute.

Team Changes and Player Highlights

Manager Steve Clarke made several changes to the squad that faced Côte D’Ivoire in March, with notable inclusions such as Craig Gordon, Aaron Hickey, Scott McKenna, Ben Gannon-Doak, Kenny McLean, and Lawrence Shankland. Key players like John McGinn, Scott McTominay, and Kieran Tierney were unavailable due to the conclusion of their club seasons. Scott McKenna celebrated his 50th cap for Scotland during this match, while Luke Graham and Tyler Fletcher were named on the bench, both in line for potential debuts.

Match Highlights

The match began with a lively atmosphere as Scotland aimed for an early goal. George Hirst missed a chance to score from an Andy Robertson free-kick within the first three minutes. However, it was Curaçao who struck first, with Tahith Chong skillfully converting a long ball into a goal. Scotland responded with increased pressure, but it was a red card for Curaçao's Jurgen Locadia, following a VAR review for a dangerous challenge on Aaron Hickey, that shifted the momentum. This incident led to an early substitution for Scotland as Billy Gilmour was replaced by Findlay Curtis due to injury. Curtis made an immediate impact, scoring the equalizer just before halftime.

With this victory, Scotland heads into the World Cup with a boost of confidence, having demonstrated their ability to respond to adversity and capitalize on scoring opportunities.