Junya Ito's 84th-minute goal gave Japan a 1-0 victory over Scotland in their first 2026 World Cup warm-up match at Hampden Park. The Genk midfielder broke the deadlock with a precise 12-yard finish, ending Scotland's four-game unbeaten run against Japan and spoiling Steve Clarke's return to the national stadium.

Both sides hit the woodwork in the first half, with Kodai Sano clipping the bar for Japan and Scott McTominay forcing a save off the post for Scotland. The visitors, heading to their eighth consecutive World Cup finals, created more chances after the break and tested goalkeeper Angus Gunn multiple times before Ito's decisive strike.

Scotland, who qualified for the 2026 tournament with a dramatic 4-2 win over Denmark in November, face Ivory Coast next before two more friendlies against Curacao and an unnamed opponent. Clarke handed Middlesbrough's Tommy Conway his first start and captain Andy Robertson earned his 91st cap, moving level with Jim Leighton for second on Scotland's all-time appearances list.