When it was all done and dusted the cameras homed in on a disconsolate young Scotland supporter fan in the Hampden stands seeking comfort from his father. Hot, streaming tears streaked the Saltires on his face and the old heads in the Tartan Army knew precisely how he felt. They’d been here before.
So much for clapped-out Croatia. So much for an ageing Luka Modric being past his best, cruising downhill on a one-way slope.
After delivering a footballing lesson to Scotland in their traditional home the 35-year-old former Ballon D’Or winner sank to his knees on the Hampden turf.
Scotland's Euro 2020 story was a familar tale as they failed to make the knockout stages
The Tartan Army were beaten 3-1 by Croatia at Hampden Park as they crashed out of the group
Under immense pressure to replicate the success of the 2018 World Cup the little maestro delivered when it mattered most, ending Scotland’s appearance at a major tournament for 23 years in an old, familiar sinking feeling.
The 0-0 draw with England proved a false dawn in the end. Despite Callum McGregor’s first international strike in 32 appearances cancelling out a cheap opener for Nikola Vlasic after 17 minutes Steve Clarke’s side were always chasing, always second best.
Modric was, by some distance, the most gifted performer on the field. Give them this much, at this tournament Scotland have rarely conceded normal goals. After a Schickener for the Czech Republic, a sublime piece of skill from Croatia’s talisman knocked the wind out of Steve Clarke’s side after 62 minutes.
A piercing corner from the Real Madrid midfielder in the final minutes of play teed up a soaring header for Ivan Perisic and a place in the last 16 was secure.
With Scotland it pays to pray for the best and prepare for the worst. An eleventh attempt to secure a place in the second stage of an international finals ended like so many through the years. Count up the mishaps and the list is damning
Luka Modric proved he is still a top class player with a stunning goal to put Croatia 2-1 ahead
Going easy on Zaire in ‘74. Johnny Rep’s thunderbolt in Argentina. Hansen and Miller performing an impromptu Tango against the Russians in ’82. Steve Nicol blowing a golden chance against ten-man Uruguay. A late Brazil heartbreaker at Italia ’90. England's David Seaman letting a late goal through his legs against the Dutch. Losing 3-0 to Morocco at France 98.
On Tuesday, at least, they kept it simple. In need of a win a win to make history, a team deprived of Billy Gilmour’s ball retention by coronavirus missed the Chelsea midfielder badly. Watching the young apprentice against Modric the Master would have been a fascinating business and, but for the virtue-signalling refusal of Scots politicians to vaccinate the national football team it might have come to pass.
After failing to advance from the group stages for the first time at the eleventh time of asking all Scotland had to show for their efforts over three games was one goal and one point. Ultimately they failed to defend well enough and lacked a clinical finisher in front of goal. At this level, that’s a fatal combination.
Optimism before kick-off was drawn came from omens; historical footnotes. In two previous appearances at the European Championships the Scots had won their final games against the Russian Federation and Switzerland. In their last five appearances Croatia alternated between progressing from the group stage (1996, 2008 and 2016) and crashing out at the first hurdle (2004
