Napoli midfielder Scott McTominay proved to be the difference-maker as Scotland secured a narrow 1-0 victory against Greece in their Nations League promotion/relegation playoff on Thursday evening.

The match, held at the Karaiskakis Stadium in Attica, saw McTominay both win and convert a penalty just after the 30-minute mark. This result gives Steve Clarke’s side a slight advantage heading into the return leg at Hampden Park on Sunday. The winner of this tie will earn a spot in the Nations League ‘A’ tier for the upcoming season.

The decisive moment came when McTominay was fouled by Greek right-back Lazaros Rota just inside the penalty area. Despite facing laser pointers from the crowd, the former Manchester United player calmly slotted the penalty slightly to the right of center, beating goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis.

Scotland’s lineup featured several Serie A players, including McTominay’s Napoli teammate Billy Gilmour, Bologna’s Lewis Ferguson, and Torino’s Che Adams, highlighting the growing Scottish presence in Italian football.

This goal marks McTominay’s tenth of the 2024-25 season across all competitions, showcasing his impressive form for both club and country. His tally now includes six Serie A goals, one in the Coppa Italia, and three for Scotland in the Nations League, along with four league assists.

The second leg at Hampden Park promises to be a tense affair as Greece looks to overturn the deficit and Scotland aims to protect their advantage. Both teams will be fighting for the coveted place in the top tier of the Nations League, a competition that has grown in importance for European national teams in recent years.