Scotland 3- Ukraine: Lyndon Dykes nets late double following John McGinn intention as Steve Clarke’s aspect go major

Second-fifty percent aims from John McGinn and Lyndon Dykes retained Scotland’s hopes of marketing to League A in the UEFA Nations League alive as Steve Clarke’s side conquer Ukraine 3-.

McGinn broke the deadlock with 20 minutes to engage in at a energetic Hampden Park and substitute Dykes’s late brace rubberstamped the gain as Scotland moved two factors clear at the prime of Team B1.

It was the minimum Scotland deserved after a dominant overall performance in which they designed a plethora of possibilities.

Scotland started out the night a issue and a location powering leaders Ukraine, who they misplaced 3-1 to in a Globe Cup play-off in June. But they arrived out the a lot more self-assured aspect and could have been ahead when Stuart Armstrong’s floated cross was achieved by the head of Ryan Christie whose looping header bounced over.

Minutes afterwards, Armstrong examined Anatoliy Trubin with a 1st-time shot from the edge of the penalty location right before Scotland dropped Nathan Patterson to a serious seeking personal injury with the Everton comprehensive-back again leaving on a stretcher.

A moment of controversy happened as Scotland upped the tempo in research of opener, with Valeriy Bondar having out Che Adams, who was bearing down on purpose, but the referee only generated a yellow card.

The chances kept coming for Scotland right after the break, with Armstrong spurning two in two minutes. A instant after shooting straight at Trubin, he blazed an effort above from point-blank variety.

The crossbar would appear to Ukraine’s rescue as a thumping header from Adams experienced Trubin overwhelmed. But the Ukraine goalkeeper was equal to an practically identical effort and hard work from the Southampton ahead moments afterwards.

The deadlock was lastly broken in the 70th minute when McGinn outmuscled Bonder, turned and fired a very low strike into the bottom corner.

Ten minutes later, Dykes – only on as a substitute – doubled the edge with a glancing header from Ryan Fraser’s cross. Dykes grabbed his next with a objective pretty much similar to his first to make it a few.

Victory means Scotland substitute Ukraine at the best of the group. They host the Republic of Ireland on Saturday prior to a probable deciding video game towards Ukraine in Krakow following Tuesday.

Talking Point – Scotland choose management of their own future

This victory usually means a lot more than just avenging Ukraine’s victory a few months ago – Scotland are now possibly four factors adrift of finishing top of Group B1, which would assurance a perform-off place for Euro 2024.

It indicates they are now in regulate of their own destiny. If Scotland can now hold their nerve and handle to end major of their Nations League group, they would be next seeds for the European Championships in two years’ time.

On this form, they need to be deemed favourites to do it. Clarke ought to choose the credit for enjoying with a again four, and for making the right substitutions at the suitable time to ensure their dominance didn’t go to waste. The players responded to the challenge and savoured the celebrations at the last whistle. Self-assurance is higher as they prepare for two massive online games in the following 5 days.

Player OF THE MATCH – JOHN MCGINN (SCOTLAND)

With a second of huge high-quality to shrug off his marker, McGinn experienced the composure to match as he struck the opener to give Scotland carry-off.

Participant Ratings

Scotland: Gordon 6, Patterson 6, McTominay 8, Hendry 7, McKenna 7, Tierney 7, Armstrong 7, McGinn 8*, McGregor 7, Christie 7, Adams 8. Subs: Taylor N/A, Dykes 8, Fraser 8, Hickey 8, McLean N/A.

Ukraine: Trubin 7, Mykhaylichenko 6, Matviyenko 6, Bondar 5, Karavaev 6, Stepanenko 5, Yarmolenko 6, Pikhalonok 6, Malinovskyi 6, Mudryk 6, Dovbyk 6. Subs: Yaremchuk 5, Ignatenko N/A, Zubkov N/A.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

60′ – Excellent Prospect! McTominay’s chic backheel opens up the area for Armstrong, who has only the goalkeeper to conquer… but he blazes his shot above the bar from level-blank range!

64′ – HOW HAVE SCOTLAND NOT SCORED?! Adams is denied by the crossbar with a thumping header! And with an identical probability times later, he forces a great help you save from Trubin!

69′ – Yet another Opportunity FOR ARMSTRONG! Armstrong pops up in the ideal area at the proper time but again he can’t uncover the concentrate on. This time he heads broad from Adams’ cross with the aim gaping.

70′ – Objective! SCOTLAND 1- UKRAINE (JOHN MCGINN): And lastly, the breakthrough! McGinn outmuscles Bonder, turns and fires a low strike into the base corner over and above the reach of Trubin. The reduction all-around Hampden Park is tangible!

80′ – Target! SCOTLAND 2- UKRAINE (LYNDON DYKES): Only on the pitch a make a difference of minutes, Dykes has all but sealed the acquire for Scotland with his 1st aim for his state! Fraser provides a cross to the in the vicinity of article and Dykes satisfies it with a glancing header that nestles in the much corner.

87′ – Goal! SCOTLAND 3- UKRAINE (LYNDON DYKES): Dykes grabs his second with a goal just about similar to his very first! He climbs the highest to satisfy Fraser’s corner and once more he tends to make no miscalculation with his header.

Critical STAT

Lyndon Dykes is the very first substitute to score a brace for Scotland considering the fact that Chris Burke in Might 2006 (from Bulgaria).