Scotland v Curacao
- Scotland continue World Cup 2026 preparation against Curacao, live on BBC One Scotland
- 81' GOAL! Christie converts from the penalty spot (SCO 4-1 CUW)
- 64' GOAL! Shankland scores a second as Scots take control (SCO 3-1 CUW)
- 58' GOAL! Shankland turns home a great shot (SCO 2-1 CUW)
- 45' GOAL! Curtis comes off bench to score equaliser (SCO 1-1 CUW)
- 37' RED CARD! Locadia elbows Hickey as is sent off (SCO 0-1 CUW)
- 17' GOAL! Chong's brilliance sends Curacao ahead (SCO 0-1 CUW)
- Steve Clarke pens new four-year contract
Lawrence Shankland stars as Scotland beat Curacao in confidence building World Cup warm-up
15:42 , Mike Jones
Lawrence Shankland staked his claim for a World Cup start with a brace in Scotland’s 4-1 friendly win against 10-man Curacao at Barclays Hampden.
Steve Clarke utilised his squad as promised with several regulars rested but the visitors, managed by 78-year-old former Rangers boss Dick Advocaat, took the lead in the 17th minute through a fine Tahith Chong goal.
Shankland stars as Scotland beat Curacao in confidence building World Cup warm-up
More from Shankland
15:23 , Mike Jones
The forward added: "It's been a couple of weeks since I've played, so it was about getting back on the pitch. As a striker, you want to get on the scoresheet as well so I'm grateful I've done that.
"Every goal you score for your country, you're delighted. It's a special day, I had my kid as the mascot as well.
"It feels special. It's where you want to be. I've known all season this was coming up, so I did everything to get in the squad."
Shankland reacts to win
15:17 , Mike Jones
Scotland goalscorer Lawrence Shankland told BBC One: "We wanted to go to America on the back of a win and it was important we got that. The start of the game was quite difficult, they took the lead.
"We got fortunate with the red card but after that, we looked like the only team that was going to score.”
Has Shankland forced his way into the team?
15:12 , Mike Jones
Lawrence Shankland has had a spectacular season with Hearts and scored twice in today’s World Cup warm-up against Curacao.
With none of the striking spots nailed down in Scotland’s best XI has Shankland done enough to earn a starting place at the World Cup?
Full-time! Scotland 4-1 Curacao
15:01 , Mike Jones
90+3 mins: Scotland get the win.
They’ve put four goals past Curacao and will hopefully take some confidence from the game and into the World Cup in two weeks time.
The Tartan Army are in full voice as they celebrate the win and send the team off to the World Cup in style.
Scotland defeat Curacao. There’s one more warm-up match to go and then the real test begins.
Scotland 4-1 Curacao
14:59 , Mike Jones
90 mins: Curacao are pushing to score late in this match.
They’re whipping crosses into the box and putting a bit of pressure on the Scottish back line.
Three minutes of added time to play.
Scotland 4-1 Curacao
14:54 , Mike Jones
86 mins: The Scottish fans encourage Kenny McLean to shoot from range and he obliges.
The effort isn’t the best though and the ball sails high and wide.
Scotland 4-1 Curacao
14:52 , Mike Jones
84 mins: We’re into the last 10 minutes to play at Hampden Park.
The Curacao players will want to get off the pitch. They think that the refereeing decisions have gone against them today.
Since the visitors went down to 10-men Scotland have been in total control.
GOAL! Scotland 4-1 Curacao (Ryan Christie, 81')
14:49 , Mike Jones
Christie places the ball on the spot and fires a low effort into the back of the net.
Scotland are cruising now and Hampden Park are enjoying themselves.
Scotland 3-1 Curacao
14:48 , Mike Jones
Penalty to Scotland!
Curtis is played into the left side of the box. He cuts inside and is clipped by a sliding Gaari.
He makes a meal of it and the referee points to the spot.
Scotland 3-1 Curacao
14:40 , Mike Jones
73 mins: Tyler Fletcher swings a corner kick into the area but it flies over the head of Shankland this time.
The big striker is closing in on a hat-trick and will want to convert it to give Steve Clarke some thinking to do about his line-up for the first World Cup match in a couple of weeks time.
Scotland 3-1 Curacao
14:36 , Mike Jones
70 mins: Another break for drinks and fluids. It’s not needed up in Scotland today but it will be during the World Cup so the players are trying to get into the rhythm of games being split up for water breaks.
Scotland 3-1 Curacao
14:34 , Mike Jones
67 mins: That two goal cushion will be more than enough for Scotland to secure the win in this game.
It’s been a good confidence builder, especially after the hosts went behind.
In this second half they’ve been the better side by a clear margin and they’ll hwant to increase their lead.
GOAL! Scotland 3-1 Curacao (Lawrence Shankland, 64')
14:32 , Mike Jones
Another one!
Lyndon Dykes is fed the ball and he lays it off with a square pass across to his strike partner.
Shankland runs into space in the right side of the box. He takes a touch and rolls it into the far bottom corner.
GOAL! Scotland 2-1 Curacao (Lawrence Shankland, 58')
14:27 , Mike Jones
Scotland lead!
From a corner the hosts work the ball to McLean who feeds it back to Christie, the corner-taker.
Christie fizzes the ball into the area and Shankland is there to meet it and turn a difficult chance into a quality goal.
Steve Clarke’s men have the lead at Hampden Park.
Scotland 1-1 Curacao
14:25 , Mike Jones
56 mins: Scotland have a couple of shots that force the goalkeeper into more sharp stops.
The hosts are the ones pushing to up the scoreline at the minute.
Scotland 1-1 Curacao
14:17 , Mike Jones
51 mins: Great play from Scotland.
Christie and Shankland link up to get the ball into the right side of the area.
The new Rangers striker lets fly with an effort at goal and forces Room into a low save to his right.
The Curacao goalkeeper has been great value today.
Scotland 1-1 Curacao
14:13 , Mike Jones
48 mins: Lyndon Dykes, Grant Hanley, Dom Hyam, Nathan Patterson and Tyler Fletcher have all come on for Scotland.
Hirst, Souttar, Hickey, McKenna and Gannon-Doak are the men replaced.
Second half! Scotland 1-1 Curacao
14:12 , Mike Jones
Steve Clarke has made a whole host of changes at the break so we’ll talk you through them in due course.
Curacao get the game restarted.
HT Scotland 1-1 Curacao
14:07 , Mike Jones
HT Scotland 1-1 Curacao
14:02 , Mike Jones
Scotland have been the dominant side over the first half though they can play better.
They’ve had 62% possession and have created five chances with two on target.
There’s only been 10 touches in the Curacao box though and the hosts are lacking a bit of finesse in the final third.
Half-time! Scotland 1-1 Curacao
13:56 , Mike Jones
45+6 mins: The teams head into the break all square with Curacao having also had a man sent off.
Scotland were poor in defending Curacao’s goal but from an attacking sense they’ve been good value.
There are more goals in this game yet.
GOAL! Scotland 1-1 Curacao (Curtis, 45')
13:50 , Mike Jones
Equaliser!
Scotland have made use of their man advantage and the fact that Findlay Curtis is on the pitch.
Curtis plays the ball inside and Scotland send it over to McLean.
Curtis continues his run into the box and receives a threaded pass. He takes a touch and rolls his shot into the far bottom corner!
Lovely finish.
Scotland 0-1 Curacao
13:46 , Mike Jones
40 mins: There’s another worrying sign for Scotland as Billy Gilmour is down.
He seems to have twisted his right knee and is receiving some treatment from the physios.
Steve Clarke isn’t taking any chances and takes off the influential midfielder.
Gilmour walks off the pitch which is a good sign that the knock isn’t too problematic.
Findlay Curtis comes on to replace him.
Scotland 0-1 Curacao
13:42 , Mike Jones
37 mins: Ooh!
There’s a VAR check to see if Curacao have a man sent off...
... yes! Locadia forcefully shoves his arm into the chin of Hickey as the defender clears the ball.
The referee is called to the pitchside monitor and sees the elbow come across. He then pulls out the red card.
Scotland 0-1 Curacao
13:39 , Mike Jones
33 mins: Still no joy for Scotland despite the hosts making the most opportunities to score.
Curacao have had a nice spell on the ball and are frustrating the Scots.
They’re maintaining possession before whipping in a cross from the right.
Scotland handle it without issue.
Scotland 0-1 Curacao
13:34 , Mike Jones
29 mins: Gannon-Doak continues to be the main threat for Scotland.
He recovers the ball and drives to the box before taking a shot and forcing Room into another decent stop.
Scotland 0-1 Curacao
13:32 , Mike Jones
26 mins: Curacao send the ball out of play after Scotland’s Hickey stays down.
He’s clutching his left shoulder and looks to have an issue.
For now though, he’ll play on. The last thing he wants is to pick up an injury so close to the World Cup.
Scotland 0-1 Curacao
13:28 , Mike Jones
23 mins: Scotland are beginning to tick.
McLean finds Hirst who nods a decent effort at goal and forces another save out of Room!
Hirst has had a few opportunities already in this first half.
There’s a break to take on some water now as the teams practice for the hot temperatures to come in the US, Mexico and Canada.
Scotland 0-1 Curacao
13:25 , Mike Jones
20 mins: Hirst has a shot that lands in the hand of Curcao’s goalkeeper.
It’s been a sharp response from Scotland after going behind.
However, Steve Clarke will still be reeling from that goal. The defending was woeful from the hosts.
GOAL! Scotland 0-1 Curacao (Chong, 17')
13:22 , Mike Jones
Huge!
Tahith Chong brings down a simple forward pass and darts away from McKenna.
He drives into the penalty area, sits down Souttar and guides it past Gordon to give Curacao the lead!
Scotland 0-0 Curacao
13:20 , Mike Jones
16 mins: Gannon-Doak is full of confidence and drives at the Curacao defence from the right.
Fonville, the left-back, is the man tasked with holding him up and does so. He leans across the midfielder, shields the ball and wins a free kick for the visitors.
Scotland 0-0 Curacao
13:18 , Mike Jones
14 mins: The Bacuna brothers combine just outside the Scotland box with Leandro slipping a pass into Juninho.
Juninho is brought down on the edge of the area and wants a free kick but the referee waves for play to go on.
Billy Gilmour, who made the tackle, didn’t make much contact, certainly not enough to put the Curacao man on the deck.
Scotland 0-0 Curacao
13:15 , Mike Jones
11 mins: Steve Clarke wanted this match up with Curacao to get a feel for what it’ll be like to face Haiti at the World Cup.
Scotland will need to beat Haiti to make it out of the group stage as Morocco and Brazil are more difficult tests.
Scotland 0-0 Curacao
13:14 , Mike Jones
8 mins: Gannon-Doak gets free on the right wing and guides a cross into the box.
The initial pass is cleared to the edge of the box where Christie receives the ball.
He decides not to shoot and lays it off to Andy Robertson instead. The Scottish captain does shoot and smokes the effort wide of the nearest post.
Scotland 0-0 Curacao
13:10 , Mike Jones
5 mins: Chance!
Andy Robertson swings a free kick into the box for Scotland and curls it straight onto the head of George Hirst who nods it wide of the target.
Kick off! Scotland 0-0 Curacao
13:09 , Mike Jones
Scotland get the ball rolling at Hampden Park.
Almost time for kick off
12:55 , Mike Jones
Scotland take on Curacao at Hampden Park this afternoon as they continue to prepare for their World Cup campaign.
A couple of wins in these friendlies will bring confidence to the squad before they begin their group stage.
It could be a tricky one for Scotland to get out of but the more momentum they can bring into the World Cup the better off they’ll be.
Let’s see if they can win today. Kick off is up next...
Clarke rests key players
12:50 , Mike Jones
Steve Clarke has rested six key players for this friendly.
John McGinn and Scott McTominay sit this match out with Che Adams and Lewis Ferguson also missing.
Kieran Tierney and Ross Stewart are also rested ahead of the World Cup beginning.
Sharing the load
12:41 , Mike Jones
Scotland's last 10 goals across all competitions have been scored by nine different players, with Napoli midfielder Scott McTominay the only player to score more than once during this run.
However, they have failed to find the back of the net in each of their past two matches – losing 1-0 to both Ivory Coast and Japan.
Friendlies will reveal World Cup level
12:37 , Mike Jones
Steve Clarke says Scotland’s friendly against Curacao will give his team an idea of the level that club’s from that part of the world play at ahead of the World Cup starting.
"Curacao and Haiti are quite often playing against each other, so that will give us that level," head coach Clarke told BBC Scotland.
"It will give us an idea of the level in that part of the world.
"What we hope for is a good competitive game against Curacao and, obviously, no injuries is first and foremost in everybody's mind.
"We want to win the game and give the crowd a good feeling as we leave and give ourselves a good feeling as we leave the country for what's going to be a big challenge."
Curacao's main threat
12:35 , Mike Jones
Terengganu forward Gervane Kastaneer was Curacao's top scorer in 2026 World Cup qualifying, netting five times, two more than any other team-mate, while he provided the assist for their only goal in their most recent loss to Australia.
A dip in form
12:30 , Mike Jones
Curacao have lost both of their last two matches, 5-1 to Australia and 2-0 to China, this after they had avoided defeat in each of their previous six matches.
All of those came in Concacaf qualifying for the World Cup, with Curacao winning three of them.
A good time to face the Scots?
12:25 , Mike Jones
Scotland have lost three of their last four matches across all competitions (winning one).
It is as many defeats as they suffered across their previous 12 matches, while they have lost both of their last two and could lose three on the spin for the first time since 2024 – when they had a run of four.
A new opponent
12:20 , Mike Jones
Scotland will become the fourth different European nation Curacao have taken on after the Netherlands (three times), Denmark (twice) and most recently Kazakhstan.
On paper, Scotland are probably the stronger side but with first meetings between nations it is hard to judge who will gain the upper hand.
Is defeat the likeliest result?
12:15 , Mike Jones
Curacao have never beaten a European nation, losing five of their previous six matches, the only time they have avoided defeat being a 0-0 draw with the Netherlands in 1960.
Scotland line-up for international friendly
12:11 , Mike Jones
Scotland XI: Gordon; Hickey, Souttar, McKenna, Robertson; Christie, Gilmour, McLean, Gannon-Doak; Hirst, Shankland
Your Scotland team taking on Curaçao for our @FIFAWorldCup send-off match this afternoon.#SCOCUW | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/fXsBUbWoza
— Scotland National Team (@ScotlandNT) May 30, 2026
A bogey team for Scotland?
12:10 , Mike Jones
Scotland have failed to win any of their last six meetings with North/Central American nations since a 4-1 friendly win over Trinidad and Tobago in 2004.
They have lost three of those games but can they finally get a win against Curacao this afternoon?
Curacao team to take on Scotland
12:06 , Mike Jones
Curacao XI: Room; Gaari, Obispo, Fonville, Bazoer, Floranus; Comenencia, L. Bacuna, J, Bacuna; Chong, Locadia
Subs: Antonisse, Bodak, Brenet, Doornbusch, Felida, Gorre, Hansen, Kastaneer, Kuwas, Margaritha, Martha, Noslin, Roemeratoe, Sambo, Van Eijima
Scotland vs Curacao
12:05 , Mike Jones
This will be the first ever meeting between Scotland and Curacao, with Curacao becoming the sixth different North/Central American nation that Scotland have faced.
Curacao's World Cup squad
12:00 , Mike Jones
12 of Curacao’s World Cup squad play football in the Netherlands.
They are captained by Leandro Bacuna who has played for Aston Villa, Reading, Cardiff City and Watford with the 34-year-old now featuring at Igdir in Turkey.
Juninho Bacuna formerly played for Rangers so is used to playing in Scotland though he now plays for Volendam.
Former Livingston full-back Joshua Brenet is in the squad as well while midfielder Gervane Kastaneer had a loan spell with Heart of Midlothian.
Steve Clarke signs new Scotland contract to remain head coach beyond World Cup
11:54 , Lawrence Ostlere
Steve Clarke has signed a new deal which will see him manage the Scotland men’s team through to the 2030 World Cup.
Clarke took on the role in 2019 and has overseen qualification to two European Championships before reaching this summer’s World Cup in North America.
Steve Clarke signs new Scotland contract to remain head coach beyond World Cup
World Cup star John McGinn features in 25ft mural on side of superfan’s home
11:48 , Mike Jones
A 25-foot mural in honour of Scotland World Cup star John McGinn is being painted in his hometown.
Street art dedicated to the Aston Villa midfielder is being painted on a building in Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire, on the side of a superfan’s home.
It will take 10 days to complete, with the finish date expected next week.
World Cup star John McGinn features in 25ft mural on side of superfan’s home
Advocaat's return
11:42 , Mike Jones
Curacao manager Dick Advocaat steered the team to the World Cup through qualifying but the former Rangers boss resigned in February due to health concerns over his daughter.
However, upon her improvement and dissatisfaction with Advocaat’s replacement, Fred Rutten, he has returned to the team and will lead them at the World Cup.
At 78, he will become the oldest manager at a World Cup finals.
Who are Curacao?
11:36 , Mike Jones
Curacao became the smallest nation by both population and area to qualify for World Cup finals when they topped their group ahead of Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago and Bermuda last November completing a fairytale story before the tournament even begins..
Curacao has only existed in its present status since 2011, when the island officially became a separate country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
They competed previously as the Territory of Curacao from 1924 but then the Netherlands Antilles from 1954.
Curacao early team news
11:30 , Mike Jones
Livano Comenencia and Kenji Gorre are nursing knocks for Curacao and may not be risked.
The Bacuna brothers should start – Leandro is the captain of the side, while Juninho is back in the city where he spent a short spell with Rangers.
How can I watch it?
11:24 , Mike Jones
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on BBC One Scotland, with coverage from 12.30pm BST.
A live stream will be available via the BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport website.
When is Scotland vs Curacao?
11:18 , Mike Jones
Scotland vs Curacao is due to kick off at 1pm BST on Saturday 30 May at Hampden Park in Glasgow.
Scotland vs Curacao
11:12 , Mike Jones
Scotland and Curacao’s preparations for the World Cup intensify as the two sides meet in a pre-tournament friendly at Hampden Park.
Steve Clarke’s side face a tricky group in North America, with fixtures against Brazil and Morocco, and will be looking to build momentum ahead of their World Cup return after nearly 30 years.
Curacao, meanwhile, have qualified for the first time and recently re-appointed veteran manager Dick Advocaat to steer their debut campaign.
Germany, the Ivory Coast and Ecuador are their Group E opponents come the tournament proper and they will hope for a strong showing in their first meeting with Scotland.
Scotland team news vs Curacao
11:06 , Jack Rathborn
Grant Hanley is nursing a knee injury, but the centre-back is in line to feature after resuming training.
While veteran goalkeeper Craig Gordon, 43, recovering from a shoulder injury way back in March, is in contention.
New Rangers signing Lawrence Shankland could start after leaving Hearts. While Scott McTominay, John McGinn, and captain Andy Robertson could also play a role.
Scotland v Curacao
10:08 , Jack Rathborn
Good morning and welcome to the Independent’s live coverage of Scotland v Curacao in a World Cup 2026 warm-up friendly.
Steve Clarke’s side are looking for some form and confidence against the islanders before taking on Bolivia in the countdown to their Group C opener against Haiti in Boston.
New Rangers signing Lawrence Shankland, having left Hearts after their Scottish Premiership heartbreak against Celtic, is in form and pushing for a start at Hampden Park. We’ll have team news and build-up ahead of the 1pm kick-off.
