Scotland 3 – 0 Ukraine

Scotland are two points clear at the top of their Nations League table after beating Ukraine 3-0 at Hampden Park

Steve Clarke’s side opened the scoring thanks to John McGinn (70) – captaining the injured Andy Robertson – before Lyndon Dykes headed twice from corners (80, 87) to make up for it. for Ukraine after the World Cup semi-final defeat in June play-off.

Pressure was mounting on Scotland after a series of missed opportunities by Stuart Armstrong, Ryan Christie and Che Adams in the hosts’ impressive performances, but the game opened up after McGinn broke the deadlock first. the relief of the Hampden Park crowd.

An injury to Everton right-back Nathan Patterson – which left him on a stretcher in the first half – was the only injury in another perfect evening for Scotland. “We do not know [how bad it is] because he has to go and be evaluated, but it doesn’t sound like a good thing,” Scotland head coach Clarke said.

Scotland have taken control of Group B1, with only two matches left with the Republic of Ireland and Ukraine. Promotion to the top tier of the National League would give Scotland a second chance at Euro 2024 via the play-offs should they miss out initially.

Scottish Modification for Ukraine

Scotland had their best chances in the first half, with Christie heading after Armstrong’s pass before making a mistake in his follow after the Southampton midfielder’s shot was missed by Ukraine goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin blocks.

Shakhtar Donetsk winger Mykhaylo Mudryk, who was a transfer target for Arsenal and Brentford, was a constant thorn in Everton right-back Nathan Patterson until he was stretched but largely kept quiet. in the second half by Aaron Hickey of Brentford.

Adams led well for Scotland and thought he had penetrated the Ukrainian defense in the late stages of the first half until he was checked on his body by Valeriy Bondar. Scotland coach Steve Clarke was furious and felt he deserved a red card, but Oleksandr Karavaev made a save and Adams’ last touch sent the ball wide of goal.

Scotland were fueled by the unfairness of the decision after the break and Armstrong had two chances to break the deadlock, but was stopped by Trubin before shooting from close range on target that didn’t seem to work in his favour. after a neat one-two with Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay.

Adams had two great chances to score with his head in the back but was held back by the crossbar and Ukraine keeper Trubin, before passing it to Armstrong only for the midfielder to snap a third chance within minutes with a strike. incorrect header. .

But Scotland finally got the breakthrough when McGinn overcame Bondar just inside the penalty area before turning around and unleashing a low strike, drilling into the bottom corner. The arrivals of Ryan Fraser and Dykes were immediately profitable, as the Newcastle forward set up the QPR striker two goals from corners.

McGinn: We have a point to prove tonight

Scotland captain John McGinn told ITV Sport:

“We created a lot of chances and missed them, that’s the story of our summer. But tonight we were patient, continued to create chances and luckily, they ended up in the end. I won them.

“What we were missing in the summer was what we showed at Wembley and here against Denmark – the guts, the desire, all the traits of a Scottish team that we discard.

“It’s important for us to reset. The manager has made it clear that it’s not good enough in the summer.

“We played with a point to show tonight. We lacked important players and we adapted well, changed the squad and that was natural for us.”

What’s next?

Scotland’s The next match is on Saturday when they face Republic of Ireland at Hampden Park during the 19:45 warm-up.

Steve Clarke then faced Ukraine in an away game on Tuesday that will take place in Krakow, Poland due to Russia’s continued invasion of Ukraine. The 7.45pm match at the 15,000 capacity Marshal Jozef Pilsudski Stadium is Scotland’s final Nations League game of their Group B1 campaign.