So Scotland suffer two defeats in four days - both painful in their own way.

The 2-1 loss in Israel was bruising because it damaged qualification hopes and came against a side much lower in the world rankings.

Tonight's was damaging as it was at home and against what was basically a second-string Portuguese side.

Head coach Alex McLeish did his best to remain positive, but there was a certain despair in his words and demeanour.

His side have been sent home to think once again and prepare for a crucial 17 November trip to Albania and the visit of Israel three days later that will decide whether they live up to their billing as favourites for their Nations League group.

The pressure keeps building.

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Scotland's Nations League group opponents Israel and Albania come face to face tonight.

It is about to kick-off at the Turner Stadium, the home of the home ground of Hapoel Be'er Sheva.

Alex McLeish changed from his system of three central defenders against Portugal to a back four but was not giving any clues about which he would use in next month's Nations League games against Albania and Israel.

"We want to be able to adapt to certain formations," he says. "It is about getting the right balance and, for the Albania game, it really worked.

"I am not making any decisions at this stage about the two games next month.

There are young players there, a lot of them are learning their trade and it's not easy to get guys to come in and be top internationals after two or three caps.

"But that was a good performance. I think Scotland played very well apart form losing daft goals.

"Individual errors at this level can be devastating. You can't make too many mistakes if you want to be a regular international player."

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Scotland head coach Alex McLeish insists that he saw some positives in Scotland's performance while insisting that his squad was still learning at international level.

"There was a lot for me to take out of that game," he says. "I thought they played well after the horrible result in Israel.

"We were compact, we played some good football going forward.

"Every time you lose a game, you know there is going to be criticism.

"I've had a few knocks in the past and that was a tough weekend, but I have to stand up and be brave and take it forward."

Image source, SNS Group Craig Williamson

Read Tom English's analysis as Scotland pay the price for poor defending and lose at home to Euro 2016 winners Portugal.

We are still waiting to hear from Alex McLeish....

Key stats from tonight's game suggest a tight game. What do you think? Thumbs up for yes.

Willie Miller
Former Scotland defender on BBC Sportsound

That's six defeats from eight games for Scotland under Alex McLeish.

Many fans, pundits and people in the media were calling for him to change his system from a back three.

Perhaps forced to change because of injuries and call-offs, he fielded a back four tonight - and still suffered a heavy defeat.

Where does he go from here?

Willie Miller
Former Scotland defender on BBC Sportsound

Portugal could afford to play their second string - making 10 changes from Thursday's win over Poland - and still record a convincing win over Scotland.

Scotland dominated early on, but Portugal were steadily more dangerous and Wolves forward Helder Costa pounced just before the break to score on his international debut.

The game appeared to be petering out when Eder headed a second with just over a quarter of an hour remaining and Bruma pounced on poor defending to secure the visitors' victory.

Steven Naismith's stoppage-time strike only made the scoreline slightly less embarrassing.

Image source, SNS

Image source, SNS

We are into three minutes of stoppage time and it has all gone ghostly quiet at Hampden.

Willie Miller
Former Scotland defender on BBC Sportsound

Eder's, err, header, that gave Portugal the two-goal lead.

Image source, SNS