Sturm strike hands Slovenia 2-1 Nations League win over Scotland at Hampden

Sébastien Pocognoli's Scotland were beaten 2-1 by Slovenia at Hampden on 6 October 2026 in a Nations League match as Danijel Sturm struck the decisive goal.

The defeat follows a start to Pocognoli's tenure that had yielded four points from Scotland's first three Nations League fixtures and represents a rocky moment for the manager. Before kick-off Andy Robertson received a presentation marking the 100-cap milestone he reached during Scotland's win in North Macedonia on Saturday, with Gordon Strachan, Alex McLeish and Steve Clarke joining him on the Hampden pitch.

Slovenia began the brighter side and Adam Cerin should have opened the scoring in the 13th minute but failed to connect properly, allowing Jack Hendry to clear from close range. Hendry then headed onto the post; the ball fell to Oli McBurnie and Ryan Christie flicked home from close range to give Scotland the lead.

The Hampden crowd remained subdued for much of the first half and Robertson produced a sliding block to deny Zan Vipotnik before the interval, after Danijel Sturm had exploited Scotland's three-man defence with a pass to Vipotnik.

Eleven minutes after the restart Slovenia levelled following a cheaply conceded Scotland throw-in: Sturm carried play through the centre to Aljosa Matko, who brushed Luis Binks aside and fired a shot that Angus Gunn failed to deal with effectively.

Sturm should have put Slovenia ahead two minutes later but shot over, and Pocognoli withdrew McBurnie — leaving the Hull striker with 20 caps without a goal. The visitors continued to dominate, and Pocognoli switched to a back four for the first time in this international window; Matko had a second goal ruled out for offside shortly before turning provider, crossing for Sturm to slam home past Gunn and put Slovenia ahead.

For the first time under Pocognoli the manager faced boos from the Tartan Army. Findlay Curtis and Josh McPake had claims for penalties dismissed, with McPake described as lively after coming off the bench, and the report noted that too many of Scotland's players either underperformed or are not cut out for this level.

November feels significant for Pocognoli, and, the piece concluded, it is up to Pocognoli, and sharply, to source answers.