Football news - Scotland humiliated by Kazakhstan in Euro 2020 qualifying opener

Scotland began their Euro 2020 qualifying campaign in disastrous fashion, suffering a humiliating 3-0 defeat to the world number 117-ranked Kazakhstan.

Alex McLeish’s side looked to have been handed a favourable start to their Group I campaign, with opening fixtures against Kazakhstan and San Marino. Instead, Scotland have already given themselves work to do to salvage their hopes of making the Euros.

It took the hosts just six minutes to take the lead, with Yuri Pertsukh lashing home after a ball was clipped over the top of the Scotland defence. And it was 2-0 to Kazakhstan after 10 minutes when Yan Vorogovskiy was played in on the blind side of Graeme Shinnie to slide past Scott Bain.

Scotland looked shell-shocked and never recovered, losing a third goal just five minutes into the second half, with Baktiyor Zaynutdinov getting on the end of a deep cross to head into the far corner of the net.

What was a humbling and humiliating affair for Scotland proved to be a monumental one for Kazakhstan, who won just their fifth competitive match since 2009. There will be questions for McLeish to answer after this.

Scotland entered this Euro 2020 qualification campaign with real hope after winning their Nations League group last year. There are just some results that constitute a sackable offence, though, and this, arguably the worst result in Scotland’s history, might well be that. There will be pressure on McLeish after this. Some fans have never been comfortable with the former Birmingham and Rangers boss being in charge. This will add to the ammunition.

It was his goal after just six minutes that set the tone for the match, firing home past Bain from outside the box, but Pertsukh contributed throughout for the home side. It was his exceptional through ball that opened up the Scotland defence for Kazakhstan’s second goal too, controlling the game in the centre of the pitch. Kazakhstan deserved their win and the performance of Pertsukh was a big reason behind this.

Kazakhstan - Nepogodov 5, Vorogovsky 6, Malyi 5, Postnikov 6, Erlanov 6, Suyumbayev 7, Pertsukh 8, Kuat 7, Merkel 6, Zaynutdinov 6, Murtazayez 6. Subs - Muzhikov 6, Turysbek 5, Akhmetov 5.

Scotland - Bain 5, Shinnie 3, McKenna 4, Bates 4, Palmer 5, Armstrong 5, McGregor 5, McGinn 4, Forrest 5, Burke 6, McBurnie 3. Subs - Russell 5, McTominay 5, McNulty 5.

6’ GOAL! Kazakhstan 1-0 Scotland: What an awful start for Scotland! Their defence seemed to be caught high up the pitch, the ball was played over the top of McKenna, Pertsukh took down the pass and then smashed a finish into the back of the net. It might have clipped the underside of the bar.

10’ GOAL! Kazakhstan 2-0 Scotland: It's two for Kazakhstan within the opening 10 minutes of the match! This time the pass was played in behind Shinnie and Vorogovskiy got on the end of the ball to slide a finish past Bain and into the back of the Scotland net. What a disaster for the away side.

51’ GOAL! Kazakhstan 3-0 Scotland: It's THREE for Kazakhstan! Can you believe this? The cross was played into the Scotland box from the left wing, Zaynutdinov got in between the two centre backs and then guided a header into the far corner of Bain's net! Sensational for the home side.

54’ Terrific save! Armstrong looked all but certain to find the back of the net, bursting through the Kazakhstan defence and then angling a low shot on goal, but the goalkeeper made a diving save.

58’ Chance for Forrest! That was a good opportunity for Scotland to grab a lifeline. McBurnie's knocked on header fell for Forrest inside the box, but he scuffed his shot on goal. He might have done better with that.

Before this game, Kazakhstan had only ever won four European Championships qualifiers in their entire history.

The last time Scotland found themselves 2-0 down after 10 minutes was in a European Championships qualifier against Spain back in October 2011.