Why Sébastien Pocognoli won’t put Scotland into 447 minutes of silence

This Saturday evening at 20:45, Scotland led by Sébastien Pocognoli will face North Macedonia in the Nations League, with only 25 minutes to score and prevent a new record of 447 minutes without a goal.

A 25‑minute challenge

The Belgian, who is in his third match in charge of Scotland, said: “It is important to get a result, because it can give the team a boost. Not just to me, but to everyone who has worked so hard since day one.” He therefore wants to give his first victory to the national team.

Since taking charge, the coach has not yet seen his team score. A goalless draw against Slovenia and a 0‑3 defeat to Switzerland, where Scotland even played with ten men, make up his provisional record.

Statistics and pressure

Scotland's record of four consecutive matches without scoring dates back 55 years, totalling 447 minutes of silence. If no goal is scored in the first 25 minutes of the match, this sad figure could be broken.

Pocognoli blames tactical drift as Scotland fall to Slovenia at Hampden

North Macedonia, which has conceded five goals in its first two Nations League matches (0‑3 to Switzerland, 2‑0 to Slovenia), appears to offer a more accessible defence than Scotland's previous opponents.

Simon Hamoir, a specialist in foreign football, highlighted that Pocognoli is awaiting “his first victory with Scotland”, recalling the psychological stake for the Belgian manager.

The match will take place in Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia, where the manager finally hopes to “find the back of the net” and thus break the silence that has hung over the team since the start of the campaign.

The original text comes from the Associated Press, published under copyright 2026, and was relayed by the Sports Football Nations League services.