Ukraine 0-0 Scotland: Steve Clarke's side earn Nations League promotion
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Goalkeeper Craig Gordon played his part with some crucial saves to keep Ukraine out
A depleted Scotland earned promotion to the top tier of the Nations League - and a Euro 2024 play-off place - after a defensively disciplined and brave display clinched the point they needed against Ukraine.
Missing 10 important players, Steve Clarke's side rode their luck at times in Krakow as Ukraine created several clear cut chances.
But profligacy and some wonderful goalkeeping from Craig Gordon earned a vital point which sealed Scotland top spot in Group B1.
It also capped an impressive turnaround for the national side after the disappointment of losing to Ukraine in June's World Cup play-off, and puts them into Pot 2 for the qualifying draw for the European Championships on 9 October.
That enhances Scotland's chances of another major tournament, which is a great reward for an impressive international window in which Clarke's squad has shown different qualities while being stretched to the limit.
Injuries to defenders Scott McKenna and Kieran Tierney added more problems before the trip to Krakow, and resulted in Hibernian centre-back Ryan Porteous making his debut in game of huge importance.
But he, partner Jack Hendry, and Aaron Hickey were outstanding in keeping Ukraine out for the most part, though Oleksandr Petrakov's side will also rue some big misses.
The worst came from Andriy Yarmolenko after just seven minutes, as the former West Ham midfielder blazed over unmarked after a fantastic cross from Mykhaylo Mudryk.
But there were others too, with Gordon denying Artem Dovbyk when clean through, and then Mudryk's curling effort from distance was pushed wide by the Hearts goalkeeper.
Taras Stepanenko also headed wide from six yards despite working himself into good space.
Scotland had some good moments early on, with Che Adams forcing Andriy Lunin into a fine save after two minutes and Ryan Jack firing over inside the box. A penalty awarded for handball was overturned, too, after the referee checked again at the monitor at the direction of the video assistant referee.
But the second half was mainly about tiring bodies staying focussed, which they did until the death as Porteous produced a last-ditch tackle in the final minute to stop Oleksandr Zubvok firing a shot on goal from just inside the box.
Player of the match - Aaron Hickey
Hickey just edges Porteous to the award. On the whole he marshalled the dangerous Mudryk extremely well, and was also good going forward in the first half, drawing a four fouls and finishing with more final third entries than any Scotland player. The Brentford full-back has come of age for Scotland.
Scotland show depth and versatility - analysis
Clarke was visibly delighted as he shared an embrace with his staff at full-time, having guided his team from deflation in the summer, through a physically demanding window to Nations League promotion.
It all demonstrated Scotland's depth, versatility, and the head coach's ability to ensure every player in the squad knows their role, having switched from a back five to 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 formation for these three games.
Captain Andy Robertson was missing for all three games; Nathan Patterson didn't last 45 minutes in the first Ukraine match; Tierney went off injured against Republic of Ireland; McKenna wasn't fit to play in Krakow; Scott McTominay was suspended.
But despite that, Scotland coped. Hickey was magnificent again, and Porteous was almost flawless alongside Hendry on his debut. Arguably none of that trio were first choice last Monday.
In the 3-0 win against Ukraine, Scotland showed their ability to play on the front foot at high intensity; against Ireland they demonstrated nous to come from behind in tough circumstances; and the return against Ukraine was about good organisation, focus, and heart.
With the best collection of players in 25 years, a Pot 2 seeding and a fall-back play-off if needed, Scotland are in an amazing position to reach back-to-back European Championships. How they've earned it this week.
Match stats
Ukraine are unbeaten in 12 'home' matches since losing against Germany in October 2020 (W4 D8).
Scotland are unbeaten in their last four games in Poland, since losing a friendly against the Poles in May 1980 (W1 D3).
They have had three goalless draws Steve Clarke, having not registered one since November 2013 v United States under Gordon Strachan.
Scotland have kept five clean sheets across their last nine away matches, having gone eight away games without a shutout prior to this run.
They have lost just two of their last 15 games in all competitions (W10 D3), having lost three games in four prior (D1).