Andy Robertson is the toast of Scotland tonight after he handed then a UEFA Nations League lifeline in dramatic circumstances.
Steve Clarke’s aspect have been being held 1-1 by Poland in stoppage time in Warsaw, a scoreline which might’ve seen them relegated robotically to League B, however the Liverpool defender netted a 93rd-minute winner to as a substitute give them the protection internet of a relegation play-off in March.
The 30-year-old was making his eightieth look for his nation tonight, and he ensured that it’d be a match to recollect for all the precise causes.
Robertson scores stoppage time winner
Within the third minute of added time in Warsaw, John Souttar made the a lot of the appreciable time and area that he needed to ship a pleasant curled cross into the Polish penalty space.
Robertson learn the flight of the ball all the best way and bought above his opponent to crash a header past Lukasz Skorupski and safe a second win in 4 days for Scotland, who duly keep away from automated relegation on the expense of their hosts.
Robertson the toast of Scotland
Scottish media and pundits have been inevitably apart from themselves with glee at that last-gasp intervention, with BBC reporter Jane Lewis exclaiming: “There it’s!!!! There’s that Oslo spirit. Wonderful!”.
In the meantime, ex-Tartan Military defender Willie Miller proclaimed on BBC Sportsound: “What a header it was from Andy Robertson. You don’t anticipate that! Simply sensational.”
When Clarke wanted somebody to provide a second of magic within the nick of time towards Poland tonight, up stepped his nation’s captain to heed the decision and, remarkably, rating his first worldwide aim in almost five-and-a-half years.
Robertson loved a terrific efficiency total in Warsaw, as mirrored in a collection of statistics from Sofascore. The Liverpool left-back received 4 duels, accomplished 100% of his dribbles, recorded three photographs (together with his successful aim), delivered two key passes and executed six correct lengthy balls.
The Scots aren’t assured League A standing for the subsequent Nations League marketing campaign simply but, with a play-off to come back towards a second-placed finisher in League B, however to even salvage that a lot marks a exceptional turnaround after shedding their first three matches of this group.
It might even have helpful penalties concerning their seeding for the 2026 World Cup qualifying draw subsequent month, one thing which’d delight the Reds defender.
You’ll be able to view Robertson’s winner towards Poland beneath, by way of @ScotlandNT on X:
Andy Robertson’s first Scotland aim in 5 years…
…and what a time to get it 😍#POLSCO pic.twitter.com/a5kaKORAt5
— Scotland Nationwide Crew (@ScotlandNT) November 18, 2024