Captain Andy Robertson was Scotland’s hero with a stoppage-time winner to grab a 2-1 victory over Poland which secured them a Nations League relegation lifeline.
Scotland knew it was win or bust in Warsaw as they seemed for back-to-back victories to no less than earn them third spot in Group A1 and a relegation play-off.
John McGinn was handed a begin after his very important objective in opposition to Croatia and he despatched the Tartan Military wild simply three minutes in as he smashed house the ball with Ben Doak as soon as once more offering the help.
Billy Gilmour and Scott McTominay then hit the woodwork, whereas Craig Gordon produced some positive saves to provide Steve Clarke’s facet hope on the break.
Kamil Piatkowski’s beautiful strike pulled Poland stage, however Robertson’s late header spared Scotland heartache and so they now face a play-off in March to maintain their place within the Nations League’s high tier, with Michal Probierz’s Poland facet relegated.
Scotland saved after Warsaw drama
Again-to-back wins maintain Scotland’s Nations League Group A hopes alive
Scotland missed out on second place after Croatia received the purpose they wanted in a 1-1 draw at house to Portugal however the victory additionally boosted possibilities of Clarke’s males edging their method into pot two of subsequent month’s World Cup qualifying draw.
Scotland are on the lookout for Georgia or Estonia to seize some form of end result away to the Czech Republic and Slovakia respectively on Tuesday.
McGinn got here into the Scotland staff together with Lyndon Dykes after netting the one objective in opposition to Croatia on Friday and Gordon shook off a virus to start out.
The opening moments have been an indication of issues to return. There was a scare for Scotland inside 60 seconds till Robertson made an important protecting block.
An incisive go from Gilmour quickly gave Doak the prospect to arrange McGinn, who swept house along with his proper foot.
Ben Doak shone for Scotland in Warsaw
Doak was in all places within the opening phases, making interventions deep in his personal half and beating his man earlier than placing in one other harmful ball.
The house facet quickly started making a collection of possibilities. Gordon saved from Jakub Kaminski, Piatkowski and Karol Swiderski, who additionally missed a sitter, whereas Sebastian Szymanski had a weak effort blocked.
Doak had a shot saved on the break within the midst of the house strain earlier than Scotland settled down and started knocking the ball about with confidence and function.
The probabilities adopted. Dykes’ shot rippled the side-netting, Gilmour hit the crossbar from almost 30 yards and Doak despatched McTominay clear however the Napoli man was denied by a save after nice talent.
McTominay then hit the put up earlier than Robertson’s shot was deflected over, whereas Gordon and John Souttar got here to Scotland’s rescue on the different finish.
As issues stood at half-time, Scotland have been behind Croatia on objectives scored with Portugal 1-0 up in Cut up.
Poland’s Kamil Piatkowski celebrates after scoring to make it 1-1 in opposition to Scotland
The second half began in precisely the identical method. Souttar cleared off the road earlier than McGinn’s go was turned simply previous the put up with Scotland gamers lining up on the six-yard line. McTominay quickly fired properly over from one other respectable likelihood.
Poland received again on the entrance foot and ultimately labored a capturing likelihood as Scotland defended their field in numbers, with Piatkowski sending an unstoppable strike into the highest nook.
Scotland have been again on the backside of the desk however nonetheless wanted only one objective to maneuver them as much as second. Dykes seemed like he had received it when he headed Gilmour’s cross in direction of the highest nook however Lukasz Skorupski leapt to claw the ball away.
Information of a Croatia equaliser proved one other blow for Scotland supervisor Clarke, however Scotland had half-chances. Robertson fired over, Ryan Christie’s header was saved and Kenny McLean headed over earlier than the captain had the ultimate say to the delight of his team-mates and the travelling followers.
What the win means for Scotland
Scotland have confirmed third place in Group A1 and can now play a two-legged play-off in March in opposition to a League B runner-up to find out who performs in Nations League Group A within the subsequent match.
Two confirmed potential opponents are Greece and Austria, the opposite two shall be determined after Tuesday’s video games.
The play-off draw is on Friday with the video games scheduled for March 20 and 23. Scotland shall be at Hampden Park for the second leg.
Clarke’s facet are additionally set to be in Pot 3 for the World Cup qualifiers, beginning subsequent summer season.
They may rise to Pot 2 if the Czech Republic lose to Georgia or Slovakia lose to Estonia – each play on Tuesday.
