GLASGOW: Scotland warmed up for the World Cup with a 4-1 victory over 10-man Curacao to end a wait of more than a decade to win an international friendly at Hampden Park on Saturday.
Teenager Findlay Curtis scored his first international goal and Lawrence Shankland struck twice after Jurgen Locadia’s red card swung momentum in Scotland’s favour.
The tiny Caribbean island of Curacao, home to just 160,000 people, are also headed to their first World Cup.
The visitors were on course to shock Steve Clarke’s men thanks to a stunning individual goal by former Manchester United midfielder Tahith Chong.
However, a moment of madness from Locadia could cost him a place at the World Cup.
The striker charged into Aaron Hickey with his elbow on 37 minutes and may now be suspended from Curacao’s Group ‘E’ games against Germany, Ecuador and Ivory Coast.
Clarke, who signed a contract extension this week till 2030, was given a reminder of his side’s reliance on Scott McTominay and John McGinn during a flat first half with both midfielders left on the bench.
An injury to Napoli’s Billy Gilmour is also a cause for concern just two weeks before Scotland begin their World Cup campaign against Haiti.
“We are just waiting on it being assessed,” said Clarke. “I’m hoping and praying he’s on the plane.”
But the impact of Curtis off the bench boosted the Rangers winger’s case to be included against Haiti.
The 19-year-old’s scuffed shot found the bottom corner to level just before half-time.
Shankland also joined Rangers this week after narrowly missing out on leading Hearts to a first Scottish league title in 66 years.
He turned in Ryan Christie’s cross and then finished off a fine team move from Lyndon Dykes’ pass.
Christie rounded off the scoring from the penalty spot after Curtis was brought down to ensure a first Scottish friendly win at Hampden since March 2016.
Scotland also face 2022 semi-finalists Morocco and five-time winners Brazil in Group ‘C’ at the World Cup.
On Friday, Iran began their World Cup preparations with a 3-1 friendly victory against Gambia in Turkey. They trailed 1-0 at half-time in Antalya before launching a second half comeback, with three goals in 20 minutes, including one by Olympiacos forward Mehdi Taremi.
In Soweto, Johannesburg, Burnley striker Lyle Foster missed a penalty as 2026 World Cup qualifiers South Africa drew 0-0 with Nicaragua.
Published in Dawn, May 31st, 2026