McGinn brace, including penalty, secures 2-1 Scotland win over North Macedonia at Hampden

John McGinn scored twice — the second from the penalty spot — to give Scotland a 2-1 victory over North Macedonia at Hampden in an international match on 13 November 2026. Andy Robertson collected his 102nd cap, moving level with Kenny Dalglish on the all-time Scottish appearance list.

Robertson’s milestone provided the backdrop to a testing night as questions persist around Sébastien Pocognoli’s start in charge following Steve Clarke’s exit; the report noted shortcomings in the previous international window, Pocognoli’s first as Scotland manager. The match exposed tactical concerns, with the piece saying Pocognoli looks tactically inflexible and that Scotland are a tough watch. "At times it wasn’t pretty," admitted McGinn.

Pocognoli named Kieran Tierney, Scott McTominay and Ché Adams in his starting XI, deploying what the report described as a back three and selecting Ben Gannon-Doak at right wing-back. The narrative suggested the Belgian coach will not deviate from that formation and indicated Scotland’s approach would change for Monday’s meeting with Switzerland.

The first half produced several near-misses for Scotland: McTominay saw a swivelled strike saved by goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski, and Andy Robertson was denied a scoring chance when play was pulled back for a free kick after Billy Gilmour’s pass. Ché Adams had a header helped wide by a deflection and McTominay attempted a 34th-minute bicycle kick that flew over the bar before a low effort was blocked by Dimitrievski.

Shortly after the restart an exceptional miss from Billy Gilmour — six yards out and with an open goal — wasted a clear opportunity created by Adams. Scotland then took the lead from a route-one sequence: Ryan Porteous’s looping header from the halfway line unsettled the North Macedonia defence and Adams supplied McGinn for his 23rd goal for his country. Elmin Rastoder levelled when he met an Enis Bardhi corner at the near post, with Angus Gunn unable to prevent the equaliser.

The decisive moment came after Ben Gannon-Doak went past the goalkeeper and was felled; the player was immediately adamant there had been a foul, and VAR signalled the referee to review the incident. Oli McBurnie, described in the report as still awaiting his maiden Scotland goal and brought on in place of Adams, did not take the subsequent spot-kick — McGinn did and converted.

The match report criticised aspects of Scotland’s performance and decision-making, including questions raised over Gannon-Doak’s choices and the Scottish FA’s appointment of Pocognoli had a shock been permitted by North Macedonia. "It was not always perfect," said Pocognoli.

Scotland will face Switzerland on Monday, a fixture the report said would prompt an inevitable change in approach following the Hampden display.