Poland v Scotland LIVE: Nations League result as Andy Robertson dramatically rescues Scots from relegation
Poland 1-2 Scotland: The captain’s last-minute header saved the Scots from automatic relegation, with a play-off to come to stay in League A
Andy Robertson’s last-minute goal saved Scotland from automatic Nations League relegation as the captain’s dramatic header earned Steve Clarke’s side a famous 2-1 win against Poland in Warsaw.
Scotland had to win to avoid finishing bottom of League A1, but turned their run of late misfortunate on its head when Robertson arrived at the back post to thump a powerful header into the net.
Having lost their first three matches of the campaign and drawing 0-0 with Portugal, Scotland ended their winless run with a late win over Croatia on Friday before earning back-to-back wins with victory against Poland.
Scotland made the perfect start when John McGinn converted a chance inside just three minutes but Poland’s Kamil Piątkowski arrowed a stunning strike into the top to equalise on 60 minutes.
At one stage, with Portugal beating Croatia in Zagreb, another goal would have lifted Scotland to second place - enough to progress to the quarter-finals and claim a seeded place in World Cup qualifying.
But it finished as a draw in Zagreb, which means Scotland will play a relegation play-off against one of the runners-up from League B in March in a bid to retain their top-tier status.
Scotland finish Nations League with final late twist as Andy Robertson has final say
Andy Robertson marked his 80th cap with a sensational stoppage-time winner in Poland to retain Scotland’s hopes of staying in the top level of the UEFA Nations League.
A 2-1 victory in Warsaw sent Scotland above Poland into third place in section A1 and set up a two-legged play-off in March against one of the runners-up in the second tier for the right to stay among the elite.
John McGinn put Scotland ahead inside three minutes with his 20th international goal - putting the midfielder ahead of Ally McCoist in fifth place in the all-time Scotland goalscorers’ list.
Scotland finish Nations League with final late twist as Andy Robertson has final say
Poland 1-2 Scotland: After a campaign that started with a run of late heartbreak, Robertson’s last-minute goal rescued the Scots from automatic relegation from the Nations League
The World Cup pots
As it stands, Scotland should be in pot 3 for December’s World Cup qualifying draw. There is a route to pot two, but a lot needs to happen.
If either the Czech Republic or Slovakia fail to win at home to Georgia or Estonia tomorrow, then Scotland will scrape in.
What are the pots for the promotion/relegation play-offs?
League A vs League B
League A third place (Pot 1): Hungary, Scotland, Serbia, Belgium
League B second place (Pot 2): Greece, Austria, TBC, TBC.
When is the Nations League draw and how do promotion/relegation play-offs work?
Here’s some added info on the Nations League play-offs.
The Uefa Nations League has undergone changes this season, with the addition of quarter-finals to the knockout stage as well as promotion/relegation play-offs at the conclusion of the first phase.
England have already secured automatic promotion back to League A, through winning Group B2, but there is still plenty to play for elsewhere, with further matches to be played across March and June.
it’s a case of moving up and down: there will be promotion/relegation play-offs to decide the standings of Leagues A, B, C and D, setting the standings for the next edition in 2026.
Scotland have avoided automatic relegation and earned a play-off spot from League A, while Wales are competing for automatic promotion from League B by may end up in a play-off if Turkey win their group.
The draw takes place this week and here’s everything you need to know.
When is the Nations League draw and how do promotion/relegation play-offs work?
Scotland and Wales are among the teams looking to be playing in League A next season
Up next
Scotland do not yet know their opponents for the play-off in March, so we don’t know what their next fixture is yet!
FULL-TIME! Poland 1-2 Scotland
Poland are relegated and Scotland live to fight another day in the ‘A’ league – they’ll contest a relegation play-off in March.
Scotland fully deserved the three points tonight, with a performance that was brilliant at times. Either side could have won it in truth, but the Scots were more clinical on the night.
FULL-TIME! Poland 1-2 Scotland
95 mins
FULL-TIME! Scotland take the most dramatic of three points in Warsaw!
Poland 1-2 Scotland
95 mins
Now McGinn is booked for delaying the restart as Zielinski fires a ball into the box which is cleared. Scotland counter and win a free-kick...
Poland 1-2 Scotland
94 mins
Buksa was shown a yellow card in amongst all that. Can Scotland hold on?
GOAL! Poland 1-2 Scotland
93 mins
GOAL! What a finish! Scotland have surely won it!
The away side continued applying all the pressure and they work it wide to Souttar. He’s in acres of space and he opts to swing in a cross from deep, and Robertson arrives at the back post to deliver a bullet header past Skorupski!
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments