Andy Robertson’s injury-time header secured 2-1 victory for Scotland in Poland to provide themselves an opportunity to remain within the top-flight of the UEFA Nations League.
In a totally entertaining encounter, either side may have ended up with a number of targets however Scottish skipper Robertson, who has had a tough begin to the season, confirmed nice need to fulfill John Souttar’s cross and earn his all three factors.
Scotland had a unbelievable begin when John McGinn turned house Ben Doak’s sq. ball to place them in entrance after three minutes and regardless of withstanding a variety of strain, they had been near extending the lead as Scott McTominay and Billy Gilmour each hit the woodwork.
Poland had been the higher facet after the break and at last grabbed an equaliser earlier than the hour mark as Kamil Piatkowski fired house a blistering strike from 20 yards.
Speaking Level – Scotland should now imagine they belong enjoying prime sides
Beginning their Nations League marketing campaign with three straight defeats, regardless of some good performances, Scotland boss Clarke can not have imagined they might have ended it in such spirits.
They might even been in Pot 1 among the many elite of the European competitors for the World Cup qualifiers draw if not for a objective in Break up from Croatia’s Josko Gvardiol.
However whoever Scotland draw, their means to safe seven factors from the final 9 in League A1 should give them confidence of qualifying for the finals in the US and Canada.
From evergreen Craig Gordon, to Souttar, to the 2 elements of the Serie A pacesetter’s midfield in McTominay and Gilmour and Lyndon Dykes in assault – they’ve a robust backbone to forge a aggressive crew round, whereas veteran John McGinn and teen Ben Doak’s high quality on both flank shone on this night time.
Participant of the Match – John Souttar (Rangers)
The Rangers centre again was a colossal determine on the coronary heart of the Scotland defence, although watchers of him have been used to such shows.
Much less prevalent in his profession have been the kind of cross produced in damage time which gave Robertson the chance to seal the memorable victory.
Participant Rankings
Poland: Skorupski 7; Piatkowski 7, Walukiewicz 6, Kiwior 7; Zalewski 6, Szymanski 7, Moder 6, Zielinski 6, Kaminski 7; Swiderski 7, Buksa 6.
Subs: Slisz 6, Puchacz 6, Urbanski 6.
Scotland: Gordon 7; Ralston 6, Souttar 8*, Hanley 6, Robertson 7; McLean 6, Gilmour 7; Doak 7, McTominay 7, McGinn 7; Dykes 6.
Subs: Shankland 6, Christie 6, Gauld 7, Devlin 6, Armstrong.
Match Highlights
3′ GOAL! POLAND 0-1 SCOTLAND (MCGINN) McGinn once more! Pretty soccer across the field with Gilmour discovering Doak within the field and he squared to the Villa man who side-footed first time along with his proper foot from 16 yards out simply contained in the goalkeeper’s right-hand publish.
18′ WHAT A MISS! A poor error left Swiderski alone within the field and Gordon was helpless as he drove the ball at objective however fortunately for Scotland it solely struck the side-netting.
34′ GILMOUR SO CLOSE TO A SECOND! He slams an effort from over 25 yards out and it comes again off the crossbar.
43′ OFF THE WOODWORK AGAIN! McTominay strikes low from the sting of the field after McGinn’s lay off and Skorupski will get a slight contact to show the ball onto the publish. Robertson’s follow-up effort goes vast off a Polish leg.
47′ WHAT A CLEARANCE FROM SOUTTAR! Kaminski skipped across the problem of Robertson and slid an effort previous Gordon however the Scottish centre half was there to stretch out a leg and block the strike.
59′ GOAL! POLAND (PIATKOWSKI) 1-1 SCOTLAND You need to say it was coming. Poland have been in management after the restart and, after being teed up by Zielinski, Piatkowski drove an unstoppable shot contained in the far prime nook leaving Gordon with no likelihood.
64′ GREAT SAVE FROM SKORUPSKI Dykes directed a header from Ralston’s cross in direction of the proper nook of Skorupski’s internet however the Polish stopper on the stretch clawed the ball to security.
90+2′ GOAL! POLAND 1-2 SCOTLAND (ROBERTSON) A captain’s objective! Souttar with an incredible cross into the field and Robertson wished it greater than Zielewski on the again publish and crashed the ball house in off the publish.
Key Stat
- Scotland have scored a couple of objective in a sport twice of their final 9 fixtures, each of which got here towards Poland.