(BBC) _ Depleted Scotland continued their Euro 2020 preparations in positive fashion, despite Memphis Depay’s late free-kick denying them victory over the Netherlands in Portugal.
Shorn of seven players due to COVID-19 precautions, Steve Clarke’s side defied any early concerns when Jack Hendry drilled in to cap a fine start.
Depay swept home a composed first-time shot to level, then arced in a stunning set piece in the final moments after substitute Kevin Nisbet scored with his first touch to restore Scotland’s lead.
Clarke’s side had looked set for a confidence-boosting victory in the absence of John Fleck, who returned a positive COVID-19 test, and David Marshall, Stephen O’Donnell, Nathan Patterson, Grant Hanley, John McGinn and Che Adams, who were left at the training camp in Spain as a precaution.
But instead they move on to Sunday’s friendly with Luxembourg after a 2-2 draw in the Algarve.
Scotland had chances to extend their lead just after the opener, as Lyndon Dykes and Kieran Tierney – a constant threat despite playing as the left centre-back in a three-man defence – both went close.

And debutant David Turnbull was inches away from curling in a third goal moments after Nisbet had turned in Andy Robertson’s pinpoint cross, following a sweeping counterattack.
Hendry’s opener was also a sign of Scotland’s adventure, as the centre-back found himself in space on the edge of the box to fire in his first international goal after good pressure high up the pitch which resulted in Stuart Armstrong winning possession. Just as impressive was Scotland’s discipline off the ball as they restricted the Dutch to very few clear chances throughout the 90 minutes. However, Depay’s first equaliser was a glimpse of their capabilities as Georginio Wijnaldum peeled away from Hendry to head the ball into the Lyon forward’s path, and his crisp finish left goalkeeper Craig Gordon with little chance. Wijnaldum and Barcelona midfielder Frenkie De Jong were brought off after half an hour by Dutch manager Frank De Boer, presumably as part of a pre-match plan. It clearly hampered their fluency in midfield, as despite plenty of tidy possession there was little incision in attack as Scotland defended their box relatively comfortably.
But when they gave away a disputed free-kick on the edge of their own penalty area, the in-form Depay took advantage in ruthless fashion to snatch a draw for his team.