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.
Poland 0-1 Scotland
16 mins
Robertson’s delivery is collected by the ‘keeper and Poland look to break, eventually winning a throw-in in line with the box, but they waste the chance by straying offside. That sums up the overall quality on show from the home side so far.
Poland 0-1 Scotland
14 mins
The free-kick is from a fairly dangerous position from the home side, around 35 yards out, but it goes out for a goal kick.
Scotland go down the other end and Robertson does very well to win a free-kick in a similar position.
Poland 0-1 Scotland
12 mins
Much better from Poland as they counter from their own half, playing a couple of combinations before the ball comes out to Piątkowski, who forces Gordon into making the save for the corner.
From the set-piece, Scotland briefly clear it before Robertson is penalised for making a foul while trying to break.
Poland 0-1 Scotland
9 mins
A few exchanges of possession in the Scotland half but it comes to nothing as Gordon collects a ball into the box.
Poland attack again and it’s better worked, though it ends with Kaminski coming inside and firing right at Gordon.
Poland 0-1 Scotland
7 mins
Both sides are struggling to keep possession in the early exchanges, though it’s certainly Scotland who are looking the more comfortable.
They come forward again, and they work half a chance as McTominay feeds the ball to Doak, who skins Zalewski on the wing before seeing his cross cut out and cleared for a throw.
Poland 0-1 Scotland
5 mins
Neither side had really been able to settle before the goal, but Scotland took advantage of that fact and find themselves 1-0 up!
Poland attack but it’s not clicking, with Ralston there to intercept.
GOAL! Poland 0-1 Scotland
3 mins
GOAL!
Scotland make their first foray forward and it ends up in the back of the net!
It’s very well-worked too. They work it forward patiently on the right-hand edge of the box, before a pass is slipped through to Doak. He looks up and picks out McGinn with a perfect cutback, and the Villa man side-foots into the far corner for 1-0!
Poland 0-0 Scotland
1 min
Scotland are opened up almost immediately after a clipped ball over the top is latched onto by Szymański, but Robertson was alert to recover.
KICK-OFF! Poland 0-0 Scotland
The home side get us started in the Polish capital.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments