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 regarded for back-to-back victories to a minimum of earn them third spot in Group A1 and a relegation play-off.
John McGinn was handed a begin after his important objective in opposition to Croatia and he despatched the Tartan Military wild simply three minutes in as he smashed residence 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 advantageous saves to present Steve Clarke’s aspect hope on the break.
Kamil Piatkowski’s beautiful strike pulled Poland degree, however Robertson’s late header spared Scotland heartache they usually now face a play-off in March to maintain their place within the Nations League’s high tier, with Michal Probierz’s Poland aspect relegated.
Scotland saved after Warsaw drama
Again-to-back wins hold Scotland’s Nations League Group A hopes alive
Scotland missed out on second place after Croatia acquired the purpose they wanted in a 1-1 draw at residence to Portugal however the victory additionally boosted possibilities of Clarke’s males edging their means into pot two of subsequent month’s World Cup qualifying draw.
Scotland are on the lookout for Georgia or Estonia to seize some type of end result away to the Czech Republic and Slovakia respectively on Tuesday.
McGinn got here into the Scotland workforce together with Lyndon Dykes after netting the one objective in opposition to Croatia on Friday and Gordon shook off a virus to begin.
The opening moments had been an indication of issues to come back. There was a scare for Scotland inside 60 seconds till Robertson made an important overlaying block.
An incisive go from Gilmour quickly gave Doak the prospect to arrange McGinn, who swept residence together 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 aspect 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 stress earlier than Scotland settled down and started knocking the ball about with confidence and function.
The possibilities 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 ability.
McTominay then hit the publish 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 had been behind Croatia on objectives scored with Portugal 1-0 up in Break 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 publish with Scotland gamers lining up on the six-yard line. McTominay quickly fired effectively over from one other first rate probability.
Poland acquired again on the entrance foot and ultimately labored a capturing probability as Scotland defended their field in numbers, with Piatkowski sending an unstoppable strike into the highest nook.
Scotland had been again on the backside of the desk however nonetheless wanted only one objective to maneuver them as much as second. Dykes regarded like he had acquired it when he headed Gilmour’s cross in the 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.
Clarke: One other step within the journey
Andy Robertson scored his fourth Scotland objective on his eightieth look
Scotland supervisor Steve Clarke:
“When you look towards the end of the game, we made five changes. I think the depth of the squad is good. We’re still missing another three or four players who can probably add to that. Hopefully going into next year, they can get back fit and make my job more difficult.
“There’s been numerous good moments over my five-and-a-half years and that is simply one other step on the journey.
“We knew we’d have to be at our best to get a result. This is another place we can say we know how to go away from home and get a positive result in a difficult environment.
Scotland head coach Steve Clarke and John McGinn in Warsaw
“Another assist for Ben [Doak], which is good. I think he tired quite quickly in the second half, I should have maybe taken him off a bit earlier, but he’s a threat, he’s very direct, he gets at defenders.
“I am actually happy for the supporters. A great way to finish this Nations League marketing campaign. You at all times imagine. It was a really open recreation, numerous possibilities.
“We started with three defeats, three narrow defeats, with good performances. The players didn’t lose belief, I didn’t lose belief in the players and they end up taking seven points from the last three games, which gets us into the play-off.”
Robertson: McGinn is the heartbeat of the workforce
John McGinn celebrates his early opener for Scotland in opposition to Poland
Match-winner Andy Robertson:
“It was probably one of my better headers! Just a great feeling to get the win because I think our performance deserved it, and over the six games we deserved more points than we’ve got.
“This workforce’s proven time and time once more that we do not cease till the ultimate whistle, and I believe we have proven that once more. We have given the away followers one other good day trip.
“John [McGinn] has got so many qualities. A fantastic footballer who always pops up for Scotland, his goals and performances tell you that and I’m glad all the other guys came with him, because at one point he was carrying this nation on his own, then we all raised to his standard.
Scotland have a good time after Andy Robertson’s dramatic winner in opposition to Poland in a crunch Nations League conflict
“Off the pitch, he’s integral. He’s the heartbeat and keeps us going, lifts the spirits and annoys us at times! He always makes us laugh, but on the pitch he’s an incredible professional and player.
“I am delighted for him. He is his harshest critic, he at all times talks down on himself and he wasn’t pleased together with his performances lately.
“I thought his performance today was amazing, he was different class.”
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 aspect are additionally set to be in Pot 3 for the World Cup qualifiers, beginning subsequent summer season.
They are going to rise to Pot 2 if the Czech Republic lose to Georgia or Slovakia lose to Estonia – each play on Tuesday.
