Scotland crashed to defeat at Euro 2020 as Czech Republic beat them 2-0 at Hampden.
Steve Clarke 's side got off to a nightmare start in Group D after waiting 23 years to reach a major tournament.
Bayer Leverkusen striker Patrik Schick hit a double – including a 40-yard wonder goal – to condemn the Scots to an opening game defeat.
Skipper Andy Robertson and frontman Lyndon Dykes missed gilt-edged chances for Clarke's men, while defender Jack Hendry hit the bar.
But the Czechs could have scored more themselves, with keeper David Marshall producing a couple of excellent saves.
A crowd of around 12,000 turned up at Hampden full of anticipation at Scotland's return to a Euro Finals for the first time in a quarter of a century.
Clarke was dealt a body blow before kick-off, though, with news Arsenal's Kieran Tierney was out through injury.
That meant a surprise starting line-up that also included Jack Hendry, Stuart Armstrong, Ryan Christie and Lyndon Dykes.
There was no place for youngster Billy Gilmour, while Callum McGregor and Che Adams also had to settle for a place on the bench.
Scotland started brightly and after Schick had forced Marshall into a fine stop at his near post, Robertson should have broken the deadlock.
Christie put him through on goal but his shot was tipped over the bar by Czech 'keeper Tomas Vaclik.
And just before half-time the Scots were undone from the second phase of a corner.
Towering striker Schick climbed above Grant Hanley in the box and produced a stunning header into the bottom corner, giving Marshall no chance.
Clarke had to regroup at the break and made a change, replacing Christie with Adams up top.
And they were almost level when Hendry's effort from a Stephen O'Donnell lay-off evaded the 'keeper but hit the woodwork.
Moments later, Hendry tried another shot that was blocked – with disastrous consequences.
The ball broke up the pitch for Schick to run on to and with Marshall well off his line, he conjured up a magical finish that curled beyond the Scotland number one into the rigging.
That gave Clarke's side a mountain to climb and it completely deflated the home support.
Dykes had a terrific chance to pull one back when he found space at the back post but he was denied by the legs of Vaclik.
The Scots tried valiantly to get back in it but that left gaps at the back and Marshall prevented an even heavier defeat with some top class saves.
The loss leaves us toiling at the foot of Group D, with a trip to Wembley to face England up next on Friday night.
5 talking points
Tierney absence an immeasurable blow
There was one major talking point prior to kick-off and that was the absence of Kieran Tiereny in the Scotland line-up. When team news filtered through around 1pm and the Arsenal man's name wasn't there, it felt like a hammer blow before a ball was kicked. In this Clarke system, Tierney is crucial playing as the left centre-back and his recent form for his country has been terrific. It felt typically Scottish that after waiting 23 years to take part in a major tournament, we were being forced to kick it off without, arguably, our most important player.
Liam Cooper was drafted in to fill Tierney's shirt and let no-one down. The Leeds United skipper is a Premier League defender and performed reasonably well. But what Scotland lost from Tierney's omission was immeasurable. With his ability on the ball and running power from deep, he was supposed to be our secret weapon at Euro 2020 – but we missed him badly. We can only hope he recovers from the injury that kept him out and he's fit for Wembley on Friday.
Clarke gets it wrong
Coaches live and die by their team selections and results. And after a 2-0 defeat at home in our opening Euro 2020 game, you have to say Steve Clarke got his starting line-up wrong. Even accounting for Tierney's injury, not a single Scotland fan would have picked it. The manager said pre-tournament that we were going to 'attack it'. But it didn't feel like that when the team lines came through. It felt over-cautious and concentrated more on Czech Republic's strengths than our own. There was no blooding of young talent in the shape of Billy Gilmour or Nathan Patterson. There was no injection of pace from Ryan Fraser or James Forrest. And up front, he opted for the physicality of Lyndon Dykes as opposed to a better quality striker in Che Adams. He was forced to change it at half-time and Clarke would have known that if it didn't go to plan, his selection would come under scrutiny. After a damaging defeat, he's got big decisions to make before the trip to Wembley.
Missed chances so costly
Whatever you think of Scotland's overall performance, they still had enough chances to get something from the game and if they come along against England or Croatia, Clarke's side will have to be more ruthless. The Czech Republic had opportunities as well in the game but we were guilty of squandering some gilt-edged ones that could have got us in front or back in the match. Skipper Andy Robertson – who was excellent – was handed a golden one from Ryan Christie's pass in the first half and although he forced the keeper into a save with a side-footed effort – the Liverpool full-back might wonder why he didn't cut across the ball and go for more power.
After the break, Jack Hendry was unlucky with a shot that struck the bar but with the 'keeper out of position, he probably should have scored. And at 2-0 down, Lyndon Dykes was free at the back post with just the goalie to beat but was thwarted again. The Scots were taught a brutal lesson in tournament football that when chances come along you have to take them – just as Schick did for his double.
Time for Gilmour?
After this defeat to the Czechs, youngster Billy Gilmour must surely be in contention to start at Wembley against England? The whole nation wants to see the 20-year-old in action but he was left kicking his heels on the bench at Hampden yesterday. With Scott McTominay as our holding midfield player, Clarke would have expected him to dictate play. But it didn't happen for the Manchester United man who was eventually moved back into defence.
At no point in the 2-0 defeat did you ever feel like the Scots were in total control and – even against the Auld Enemy on their home turf – that's something Gilmour can give us when we're in possession. Nothing appears to faze the Chelsea kid whose game is all about getting on the ball, setting a tempo and keeping possession under pressure. Scotland lacked that yesterday and that's why he should now be pushing for a start. Going away from home to one of the tournament favourites, we have little to lose. It just depends on whether Clarke has enough faith in Gilmour to throw him in.
Fans play their part
Hampden isn't exactly renowned for its loud atmosphere at the best of times. And with only 12,5000 allowed inside for yesterday's Group D opener, there were question marks over the impact the crowd could have on Steve Clarke's team. But credit to the supporters lucky enough to be inside the stadium because at times they made it feel like there was three times that amount, which was a huge advantage for the Scots on home soil.
Before kick-off, punters warmed up with a cracking rendition of adopted anthem 'Yes Sir I Can Boogie' and the roar as the teams emerged from the tunnel got the goosebumps going and hairs on the back of your neck standing up. Whenever there was a lull in the game or Scotland lost their way slightly, the fans played a major part in lifting them. But when each of Patrik Schick's goals hit the back of the net the whole mood was punctured.
