Andy Robertson’s late header in Poland gives Scotland Nations League lifeline | Nations League

Scotland had contributed far too much to the Nations League to finish bottom of Group A1. That was the harsh reality until Andy Robertson’s glorious header after the break that sealed a famous victory over Poland. Steve Clarke’s team lives on thanks to a playoff spot.

When John McGinn sent Scotland ahead, thoughts were of a different result. Had the result gone their way between Croatia and Portugal, it was conceivable that Clarke’s men could finish second. In the end, the other tie was inconsequential, but this was not. Scotland and their support celebrated in epic style thanks to Robertson’s intervention, which instead sends Poland into League B. This felt poetic, at the site of the Liverpool full-back’s Scotland debut and on this occasion earning his 80th cap. It was the latest triumph for Clarke’s management.

Clarke had indulged in kidology before the match by suggesting that Ben Doak might not start in Warsaw. Leaving the 19-year-old among Scotland’s replacements would have been among the most bizarre managerial decisions of all, such was Doak’s influence during last Friday’s win over Croatia. Doak always had to play, primarily because of the panic his pace creates among opposing defenders. Doak has gained status among the Tartan Army. Clarke cares little about public perception, but he is well aware of Doak’s current value.

It was quick thinking that enabled Doak to create Scotland’s dream start. Billy Gilmour found the teenager with a fine pass. Doak looked up, spotted McGinn and cut the ball in. The Aston Villa midfielder slotted home his 20th international goal from 18 yards. For context, that move is one ahead of Ally McCoist. It is within 10 of Denis Law and Kenny Dalglish. With just three minutes played, Scottish fans looked towards the score in Split.

Scotland played with svaberg during the early exchanges. If Poland were rattled, it was completely understandable given their 5-1 loss to Portugal on Friday. The hosts briefly found their feet, Karol Swiderski smacking wide after a Robertson error. Swiderski was then unable to beat an advancing Craig Gordon.

Doak shot tamely at Lukasz Skorupski as Scotland chased for space. Gilmour almost delivered it, with an outrageous long-range effort that bounced off the crossbar. Scotland rightly sensed Polish defensive weakness. Doak fed Scott McTominay, who sent the ball past Sebastian Walukiewicz, but met his match in Skorupski. During a wildly entertaining pre-interval period, McTominay hit a cross and Robertson had a shot deflected into the top corner.

Poland were not without threats, Gordon once again belied his 41 years by frustrating Adam Buksa. That only one goal had been scored by the time the half-time whistle blew felt like an incredible anomaly.

John Souttar, a standout in this Nations League campaign, prevented a Polish equalizer within two minutes of the restart. Souttar blocked on the line as Jakub Kaminski looked certain to score. With only 51 minutes played, the teams had shared 20 attempts on goal. Number 21 saw Doak play in McTominay whose first-time shot flew high and wide. The flow of play meant that Scotland’s one-goal advantage was unlikely to prove sufficient.

Kamil Piatkowski proved that very point emphatically. After Scotland had only half cleared a cross, Piotr Zielinski spotted the marauding defender. Piatkowski didn’t break stride and lashed the ball over the helpless Gordon from the edge of the penalty area. Poland were worthy of parity, but Clarke’s men were now able to rue earlier wasted opportunities.

It took a wonderful Skorupski save to prevent Lyndon Dykes from nodding the visitors back in front from a Gilmour cross. This was Dyke’s final act, with Clarke introducing Lawrence Shankland and Ryan Christie in an attempt to revive Scotland. Doak also made room. Dyke’s continued prominence is tacit admission of the job Clarke is doing with Scotland, as this is a striker who has not scored a single League One goal for Birmingham this season.

McTominay limped off 14 minutes from time. An equalizer from Croatia effectively closed the door on Scotland finishing second in the section. The third was alive though: Robertson met Souttar’s superb cross to seal it. The volume of cheers told every spectator exactly what the result meant.