McGinn cushions in 20th Scotland goal to go ahead of McCoist in all-time list
Souttar blocks on line but Piatkowski nets stunning leveller
Robertson bullets in thunderous stoppage-time header
Victory means Scotland finish third and go into relegation play-off
Croatia draw 1-1 with Portugal to claim second place in group
FT: Poland 1-2 Scotland
That's all for tonight. The gloom around Scotland has been lifted with a storming finish to the Nations League campaign.
One win in 16 matches, followed by two victories in five days!
Nations League play-off draw: 22 November.
World Cup qualifying draw: 13 December.
Nations League play-offs: 20 & 23 March.
FT: Poland 1-2 Scotland
"When you look towards the end of the game, we made five changes," adds Steve Clarke. "I think the depth of the squad is good. We're still missing another three or four players who can probably add to that. Hopefully going into next year they can get back fit and make my job more difficult.
"There's been a lot of good moments over my five-and-a-half years and this is just another step on the journey.
"We knew we'd have to be at our best to get a result. This is another place we can say we know how to go away from home and get a positive result in a difficult environment.
"Another assist for Ben (Doak) which is good. I think he tired quite quickly in the second half, I should have maybe taken him off a bit earlier but he's a threat, he’s very direct, he gets at defenders."
Image source, SNSFT: Poland 1-2 Scotland
"I'm really pleased for the supporters," said Scotland boss Steve Clarke. "A good way to end this Nations League campaign. You always believe. It was a very open game, a lot of chances.
"We always felt one more chance would come, maybe not from the source it actually came from but it was a fantastic cross from John Souttar, who was outstanding defensively, and a great header from the captain.
"We started with three defeats, three narrow defeats, with good performances. The players didn't lose belief, I didn’t lose belief in the players and they end up taking seven points from the last three games which gets us into the play-off."
FT: Poland 1-2 Scotland
The draw for those Nations League play-offs is on Friday.
Greece and Austria are possible opponents.
The other two runners-up at B-level will be decided tomorrow.
As the A-league side, Scotland will be at home in the second leg.
FT: Poland 1-2 Scotland
"We want to go to another tournament," adds Steve Clarke. "The play-off in March to stay at the highest level of the Nations League will set us up for a tough World Cup qualifying campaign. We are ready for it."
FT: Poland 1-2 Scotland
Scotland head coach Steve Clarke: "The more you play at this level, the better you get. The players never lost belief."
We'll have more from Clarke in just a few moments.
FT: Poland 1-2 Scotland
Poland look certain to be in pot two for the World Cup draw.
Would you want to take them on again?
FT: Poland 1-2 Scotland
Poland head coach Michal Probierz tells Uefa.com:"This game cost us a lot of energy. We got some injuries too, like Jakub Kaminski. In general it was good game from us, we just needed one minute to hold on. Unfortunately, we did not.
"It is a very painful lesson both for the players and me. But we will continue to work with a clear aim, to qualify to World Cup finals."
FT: Poland 1-2 Scotland
Scotland have played in Poland seven times, losing just once.
That's three wins to go with three draws now.
FT: Poland 1-2 Scotland
John Collins
Former Scotland midfielder on BBC Sportsound
John Souttar looks like an international centre-back now.
And Ben Doak has given us pace, power and penetration.
Clarke's change of system has brought more freedom. The players look more comfortable in possession and they have more options in front of them.
FT: Poland 1-2 Scotland
James McFadden
Former Scotland forward on BBC Sportsound
We don't have strikers who will score every game, but we have a manager who will find a way to get the best out of players.
He's built a really strong squad and we can look forward to World Cup qualifying now regardless of our group.
FT: Poland 1-2 Scotland
Tom English
BBC Scotland's chief sports writer on Sportsound
This is real positivity for Scotland.
Fair play to Steve Clarke, he's shown real strength of character and got this team back up and running again.
Image source, SNSFT: Poland 1-2 Scotland
It's looking like pot three for Scotland in December's World Cup qualifying draw.
There is still a route to pot two but it's a longish shot.
If either Czech Republic or Slovakia fail to win at home to Georgia or Estonia tomorrow then we scrape in.
Georgia might be the best bet since they are still in the fight for top spot in their B group.
FT: Poland 1-2 Scotland
In previous Nations Leagues, third place was enough to keep your place.
Now third place faces a runner-up from the level below.
Greece and Austria have finished second in the B division.
It's much closer in the other groups, so it could be Turkey, Wales or Iceland, while there's a really tight section involving Georgia, Czech Republic, Albania and Ukraine.
FT: Poland 1-2 Scotland
John Collins
Former Scotland midfielder on BBC Sportsound
To win the game in that manner is the perfect end to the campaign.
It finishes 1-1 in Zagreb.
Croatia nudge up to eight points, with unbeaten Portugal on 14. Those two move on to the Nations League quarter-finals.
FT: Poland 1-2 Scotland
It was an absolutely fantastic header from the skipper - and it was a peach of a cross from centre-half John Souttar, who has been a real stand-out in the second half of this campaign.
A great way for Robertson to mark his 80th cap.
Image source, SNSAndy Robertson heads in a stoppage-time winner for Scotland
FT: Poland 1-2 Scotland
Willie Miller
Former Scotland defender on Sportsound
Towards the end the game there was only one team wanting to win it.
What a header it was from Andy Robertson. You don't expect that!
Just sensational.
FT: Poland 1-2 Scotland
Remember, Scotland were sitting on zero points after the first three games in this group.
Finishing on seven is not too shabby for a first adventure at A-level in the Nations League.
Andy Robertson's crucial Scotland goal came in his 80th appearance
Scotland snatched a Nations League relegation lifeline after Andy Robertson’s thunderous stoppage-time header earned a terrific victory in Poland.
For long spells after John McGinn's third-minute goal - guided in wonderfully from a Ben Doak pass - it looked like Scotland might not only escape immediate demotion but perhaps even steal a top-two place.
With Croatia trailing Portugal in Split and the Scots ahead at the break, one more goal for either visiting side would have nudged Steve Clarke's side above the Croats.
However, Poland centre-back Kamil Piatkowski punctured the optimism with a stunning equaliser, before Josko Gvardiol levelled for Croatia to squeeze the last of the quarter-final hope out of the Scots.
Another goal, though, would earn Scotland a relegation play-off against a League B runner-up in March.
And, with time running out, captain Robertson - on the occasion of his 80th cap - burst on to the end of a John Souttar cross to thump in an unlikely winner.
That means Scotland face a two-legged tie in the spring to decide their Nations League status and are likely to be in the third pot of seeds for the World Cup qualifying draw which takes place on Friday 13 December.
Only Czech Republic failing to beat Georgia or Estonia earning a point in Slovakia on Tuesday would avert that scenario, and bump the Scots into pot 2.
Although it’s not the outcome the more ambitious Scotland fans would have hoped for before kick-off, it’s a better ending than looked likely as the 90 minutes elapsed.
Things started strongly when McGinn’s goal marked the first time the Scots have scored inside three minutes of a game since Kenny Miller did in Austria in 2005.
The Scots held firm against waves of a threatening Polish attack and were denied by the woodwork twice in the first half.
Billy Gilmour crashed a shot off the crossbar before Scott McTominay hit a post just before the break and, with Portugal winning, it would have been a happy changing room at the interval.
However, things took a turn. Piatkowski's bullet hit the back of the net and the Scots were staring down yet another disappointment. Step up captain Robertson.
Questions would have been asked of Clarke's decision-making had they not sealed the victory but his side proved they can mix it with the big boys.
The one worry is that ominous, potential, pot three position for the World Cup draw, but this side are proving they can pull off big results when needed.
Before then, the Nations League play-off in March will be the next test to see just what this side is all about.
You wouldn’t be foolish for thinking Poland would turn up in Warsaw with a point to prove after that disastrous result against Portugal on Friday.
McGinn’s early opener piled the pressure on Michal Probierz’s side but they grew into the half, looked dangerous on the attack and carved out a few opportunities.
In the second period, they put a spanner in Scotland’s hopes of finishing second and progressing to the Nations League quarter-final.
But Robertson returned the favour when he punctured Poland’s chance of staying in Group A and made it 10 goals conceded in their last three games for Probierz’s side.
Andy Robertson is the first player to score a 90th-minute winner for Scotland since Scott McTominay against Israel in a World Cup qualifier in October 2021.
Scotland have won back-to-back internationals for the first time since March-September 2023, while Poland have won just one of their last nine games in all competitions (D2 L6).
John McGinn has now scored 20 goals for Scotland - only four players have managed more for the men’s national side (Denis Law 30, Kenny Dalglish 30, Hughie Gallacher 23, Lawrie Reilly 23).
McGinn's opener (2:53) was the first time Scotland have scored in the opening three minutes of a game since Kenny Miller in Austria in August 2005. It was their earliest goal in a competitive fixture since Billy Dodds' first-minute strike against Belgium in a World Cup qualifier in March 2001.
Robertson made his 80th international appearance, making him the joint third most capped player for Scotland - level with Darren Fletcher and behind only Dalglish (102) and Jim Leighton (91).
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 13 | 5 | 8 | 14 |
| |
| 2 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 8 |
| |
| 3 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 7 | 8 | -1 | 7 |
| |
| 4 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 9 | 16 | -7 | 4 |
|
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 12 | 6 | 6 | 13 |
| |
| 2 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 13 | 8 | 5 | 13 |
| |
| 3 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 9 | -3 | 4 |
| |
| 4 | Israel | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 13 | -8 | 4 |
|
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 17 | 3 | 14 | 13 |
| |
| 2 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 12 | 6 | 6 | 8 |
| |
| 3 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 10 | -7 | 5 |
| |
| 4 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 16 | -13 | 1 |
|
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 13 | 4 | 9 | 16 |
| |
| 2 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 8 |
| |
| 3 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 6 | -3 | 6 |
| |
| 4 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 14 | -8 | 2 |
|
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 13 | 4 | 9 | 13 |
| |
| 2 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 5 | 4 | 10 |
| |
| 3 | Estonia | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 8 | -5 | 4 |
|
| 4 | Azerbaijan | 5 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 11 | -8 | 1 |
|
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 3 | 12 | 15 |
| |
| 2 | Kosovo | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 4 | 6 | 12 |
|
| 3 | Cyprus | 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 15 | -11 | 6 |
|
| 4 | Lithuania | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 4 | 11 | -7 | 0 |
|
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 11 | 3 | 8 | 11 |
| |
| 2 | Bulgaria | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 6 | -3 | 9 |
|
| 3 | Belarus | 6 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 4 | -1 | 7 |
|
| 4 | Luxembourg | 6 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 7 | -4 | 3 |
|
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 1 | 9 | 16 |
| |
| 2 | Armenia | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 8 | 9 | -1 | 7 |
|
| 3 | Faroe Islands | 6 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 6 | -1 | 6 |
|
| 4 | Latvia | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 11 | -7 | 4 |
|
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Marino | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 7 |
|
| 2 | Gibraltar | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 6 |
|
| 3 | Liechtenstein | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 6 | -3 | 2 |
|
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Moldova | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 9 |
|
| 2 | Malta | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 6 |
|
| 3 | Andorra | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 4 | -4 | 0 |
|
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 8 |
| |
| 2 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 7 |
| |
| 3 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | -1 | 7 |
| |
| 4 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 7 | -1 | 5 |
|
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 16 | 3 | 13 | 15 |
| |
| 2 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 11 | 4 | 7 | 15 |
| |
| 3 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 12 | -9 | 6 |
| |
| 4 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 13 | -11 | 0 |
|
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 15 | 7 | 8 | 13 |
| |
| 2 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 14 | 5 | 9 | 11 |
| |
| 3 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 9 | -2 | 8 |
| |
| 4 | Kazakhstan | 6 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 15 | -15 | 1 |
|
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 3 | 5 | 11 |
| |
| 2 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 9 |
| |
| 3 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 9 | 9 | 0 | 7 |
| |
| 4 | Montenegro | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 8 | -7 | 0 |
|
Manager: Michal Probierz
Formation: 3 - 5 - 2
Manager: Steve Clarke
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager: Michal Probierz
Formation: 3 - 5 - 2
Manager: Steve Clarke
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
UEFA Nations League
All competitions
All competitions
All competitions
Poland have lost just two of their 12 meetings with Scotland in all competitions (W4 D6), losing friendly matches against them in June 1958 (1-2) and March 2014 (0-1).
Scotland have lost just one of their six away games against Poland in all competitions (W2 D3), going down 1-0 in a May 1980 friendly.
Poland lost 5-1 against Portugal last time out in the UEFA Nations League, their biggest defeat in all competitions in over two years (1-6 v Belgium in June 2022).
Scotland’s 1-0 win against Croatia last time out in the UEFA Nations League ended a 10-game winless run for the Tartan Army in competitive fixtures (D4 L6).
Poland haven’t kept a clean sheet in any of their last 10 matches in all competitions, conceding at least three goals in each of their last three (11 in total).
Scotland have conceded exactly twice in each of their last four competitive away games – they’ve never conceded multiple goals in five consecutively on the road before.
Nicola Zalewski – who scored the winner against Scotland in the reverse fixture – has scored the joint-most goals (2) and had the most touches in the opposition box (16) of any Poland player in this season’s UEFA Nations League campaign.
John McGinn’s winner against Croatia last time out was his 19th goal for Scotland – only four player’s have ever scored more for the Scottish men’s team (Denis Law 30, Kenny Dalglish 30, Hughie Gallacher 23, Lawrie Reilly 23).
