Ito winner helps impressive Japan beat Scotland
Junya Ito scored a late winner as an impressive Japan side defeated Scotland 1-0 in a friendly at Hampden Park.
Steve Clarke's hosts struck the post through talismanic midfielder Scott McTominay early on, but Japan, which faces Netherlands in its 2026 FIFA World Cup Group F opener on 15 June (AEDT), grew into the contest and looked a dangerous outfit.
It also hit the woodwork and forced multiple saves from Angus Gunn before Genk winger Ito collected a pass from fellow substitute Kento Shiogai and tucked home with 84 minutes on the clock, with Scotland unable to muster a response.
Scotland's first threatening foray saw John McGinn pick out McTominay six yards out, but Zion Suzuki diverted the Napoli star's effort against the upright.
The woodwork was also rattled at the other end after a flowing Japan move in the 37th minute, with Ao Tanaka's side-footed attempt bouncing off the top of the crossbar after an intelligent lay-off from Kodai Sano.
More fluid movement from the visitors led to Sano firing over, while Yuito Suzuki arguably should have done better when Gunn beat his shot away just before half-time.
Andy Robertson saw a strike beaten away early in the second half, but it was Japan that maintained the higher intensity despite making a swathe of substitutions, and only a sprawling save from Gunn denied Ito in the 67th minute.
But Ito took his next chance, jinking on to Shiogai's offload and squeezing a reverse finish across the line despite Gunn getting a touch on the ball, to earn Japan a deserved victory.
Elsewhere, 2026 FIFA World Cup co-host Canada came from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Iceland, with Juventus forward Jonathan David converting two penalties.
Senegal, meanwhile, paraded the Africa Cup of Nations trophy at Stade de France in protest of CAF's controversial decision to strip it of the title.
It went on to beat Peru 2-0, with Nicolas Jackson and Ismaila Sarr on target.
