A lacklustre Scotland fell to a 3-0 defeat to Greece at Hampden Park to confirm their relegation to Nations League B.
Steve Clarke’s side took a 1-0 lead into the second leg of their play-off but, after early chances from Scott McTominay, the visitors took the lead when Giannis Konstantelias swept home a low corner.
The Tartan Army fell quiet as Konstantinos Karetsas became the youngest player to score a competitive goal for Greece as they moved ahead on aggregate.
The visitors put the tie out of reach just 15 seconds after half-time – a poor pass from Ryan Christie saw Konstantelias pounce and set up Christos Tzolis to make it 3-0 on the night and 3-1 on aggregate.
Although the result doesn’t change Scotland’s qualifying campaign for next summer’s World Cup, Clarke was looking for his players to “lay down a marker” ahead of meeting Greece again in October.
Scotland stumble as they pay tribute to one of the greats
Sir Alex Ferguson and Scotland head coach Steve Clarke
Sir Alex Ferguson made a pre-match appearance, holding up a number 10 shirt in tribute to Denis Law before a minute’s applause for Scotland’s joint-record goalscorer in the first home international since his death.
The hosts started on the front foot.
Scotland were screaming for a penalty just four minutes in after Che Adams went down under Ntinos Mavrapanos’ challenge, but nothing was given.
Moments later McTominay was denied by Kostas Tzolakis with Andy Robertson sending the rebound wide.
Looking determined to add to his goal from the first leg, McTominay then saw an effort deflected into the side netting as Scotland dominated the early stages.
Giannis Konstantelias opened the scoring for Greece at Hampden Park
Greece silenced the Hampden crowd with the opener to level the tie.
Giannis Konstantelias swept home from a dangerous low cross into the Scotland box to give the visitors a first-half lead at Hampden.
It was their first shot of the game and it gave them confidence as they posed more of an attacking threat and they doubled their lead in the 42nd minute after the Scotland midfield again failed to track Konstantelias.
Robertson ran into the middle of the box to close the midfielder down after he collected a pass from the left wing, but that just left Karetsas unmarked.
Konstantinos Karetsas became Greece’s youngest ever scorer as he curled in a brilliant second goal against Scotland
Konstantelias teed up the teenager, who curled the ball first time into the top corner.
He then produced another assist 15 seconds after half-time, collecting a loose pass from Christie and setting up Tzolis to finish.
Boos rang out from the home fans after Scotland were stretched again and Karetsas curled beyond the top corner.
The home fans were audibly unconvinced by Clarke’s first attempt to change the game in the 55th minute, notably the decision to take off Billy Gilmour. McLean and Adams also went off as Kieran Tierney and Lewis Ferguson joined the midfield and striker George Hirst made his Hampden debut.
Christos Tzolis celebrates with his team-mates after his goal just 13 seconds into the second half put Greece 3-0 ahead
There was little evidence of a cutting edge for Scotland. Hirst headed off target from two difficult chances and the scoreline could have been worse.
John Souttar’s goal-line clearance from Vangelis Pavlidis saved Grant Hanley’s blushes after the defender’s slip and Tzolis blazed over on the break in the closing minutes.