It is simply unbelievable how this game ended. And not just because Scotland looked like an inferior team after a frustrating first half.

Clarke’s team played much more determinedly than in Germany, but conceded two weak goals and fell behind.

First, Szymanski was not pressed quickly enough by Scott McKenna as he prepared a shot from 25 yards that bounced off a post and went past Angus Gunn.

Then Scotland looked suspect again when Zalewski entered the penalty area and was brought down by a clumsy foul by Anthony Ralston.

The counterattack by the experienced Lewandowski was confident and noble and sent Gunn in the wrong direction.

Between those goals, Andy Robertson’s free kick was pushed into the goal by McTominay, but the VAR referees ruled that the Napoli midfielder had handballed.

And Ryan Christie’s pass from the left found Lyndon Dykes, but his shot hit the side netting when a shot over the goal might have been more successful.

Scotland needed to react at the start of the second half and they did. John McGinn pushed the ball into a dangerous area and Christie laid on Gilmour’s shot.

This gave the home fans the advantage again, but when Szymanski’s next long-range shot went just a few centimeters wide, one’s heart stopped.

McTominay continued to be Scotland’s biggest threat and timed his run well to slot home a low cross from Ben Doak, the 18-year-old making his debut alongside Ryan Gauld.

Cheered on by the crowd at Hampden, Clarke’s men seemed the most likely winners.

However, McGinn lost possession in his own half in the build-up to Zalewski’s run into the box and Hanley went ahead wrong-footed when he fouled the striker near the byline.

Although Gunn had guessed correctly, he was unable to save the Pole’s penalty and so Scotland suffered another defeat.