Late goal gifts Scotland Nations League lifeline

Andy Robertson marked his 80th cap with a sensational stoppage-time winner in Poland to keep Scotland’s hopes alive of staying in the top level of the UEFA Nations League.

- GAVIN MCCAFFERTY

A 2-1 victory in Warsaw sent Scotland above Poland into third place in Group 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 hit the frame of the goal through Billy Gilmour and Scott McTominay in an end-to-end first half before Poland leveled in the 59th minute through Kamil Piatkowski’s powerful strike.

The visitors kept pressing, and Robertson produced a brilliant run and leap to head substitute Ryan Christie’s cross into the roof of the net three minutes into added time.

Scotland missed out on second place after Croatia got the point they needed at home to Portugal, but the victory also boosted chances of Steve Clarke’s men edging their way into pot two of next month’s World Cup qualifying draw.

Scotland are looking for Georgia or Estonia to grab a result away to Czechia and Slovakia, respectively, today.