Summary

  • Ralston drifts off at back post to header in across goal from Armstrong cross; McKenna thumps in second minutes later

  • McKenna denied third on stroke of half-time by VAR

  • Ukraine defeat Republic of Ireland 1-0 in group's other match; Scotland go to Dublin on Saturday

Live Reporting

Martin Watt

  1. Scotland take the high road

    HT: Scotland 2-0 Armenia

    Colin Moffat
    BBC Scotland at Hampden

    It's been one-way traffic but, with Armenia packing so many men behind the ball, finding a way through the congestion was proving tricky for Scotland.

    So, Steve Clarke's men went over the top to good effect, taking advantage of two mismatches in stature for headed goals from Anthony Ralston and Scott McKenna.

    Some of the defenders in white are puffing hard already and if Scotland keep pulling them around in this fashion then we could have a few more goals to look forward to after the interval.

    Scott McKenna nods in from a corner to make it 2-0 to ScotlandSNS

    Scott McKenna nods in from a corner to make it 2-0 to Scotland

  2. HALF-TIME Scotland 2-0 Armenia

    So far, so good.

    After going close through Stuart Armstrong and Andy Robertson early on, Scotland got the goals their dominance deserves.

    Anthony Ralston - on his first start - and Scott McKenna both opened their international account with headers to put Steve Clarke's side firmly on course for victory.

    It could have been even more comfortable had McKenna not head a header chalked off right on half-time.

    Anthony Ralston opened the scoring for ScotlandSNS

    Anthony Ralston opened the scoring for Scotland

  3. DISALLOWED GOAL

    Scotland 2-0 Armenia

    Scott McKenna is penalised for offside as he meets John Souttar's ball across goal by rattling the crossbar with a header then eventually nodding in when the ball is kept alive.

    It's a tight one, but the right call.

  4. 'McKenna's aggression rewarded'

    Scotland 2-0 Armenia

    Craig Levein
    Former Scotland manager on BBC Sportsound

    That's one of McKenna's strengths, he's very aggressive in the opposing team's box. The defenders struggled to deal with his strength. It's the first really good corner from McGinn and it puts Scotland in a comfortable position.

  5. 'A deserved second for Scotland'

    Scotland 2-0 Armenia

    Willie Miller
    Former Scotland defender on BBC Sportsound

    It's a really good delivery from John McGinn, there are plenty of bodies in there and McKenna holds off the challenge. It's a deserved second goal for Scotland.

  6. goal

    GOAL Scotland 2-0 Armenia

    Scott McKenna

    scotland goalBBC Sport

    The big defender gets his first Scotland goal!

    After Callum McGregor has a curling effort headed behind, Scotland make the resulting corner count.

    John McGinn sends over a deep inswinger and Scott McKenna outmuscles his marker at the back post to power home the header.

  7. Scotland 1-0 Armenia

    Scotland are getting a fair bit of joy with these deep crosses to the back post.

    This time John McGinn slings the ball in, Che Adams heads it back to the centre of the box, but Ryan Christie makes a hash of his volley and it soars over.

  8. Scotland 1-0 Armenia

    Scotland go in search of a quick second and Che Adams latches on to a through ball into the box.

    The angle is tight and the striker is thwarted by a superb sliding tackle from the covering defender.

  9. 'Ralston times it perfectly'

    Scotland 1-0 Armenia

    Willie Miller
    Former Scotland defender on BBC Sportsound

    Ralston has been in that position a few times and has been unfortunate but the timing of the run is perfect this time. Armstrong's clip to the back post is wonderful. Ralston judges it well and guides it back and into the net.

  10. 'The stuff of dreams'

    Scotland 1-0 Armenia

    Craig Levein
    Former Scotland manager on BBC Sportsound

    Fantastic goal! He'll be hoping this season just goes on and on. To mark your first Scotland start with a goal is the stuff of dreams.

  11. goal

    GOAL Scotland 1-0 Armenia

    Anthony Ralston

    scotland goalBBC Sport

    What a way to mark your first Scotland start!

    Anthony Ralston has been impressive so far and the rampaging full-back comes up with a finish a striker would be proud of, meeting Stuart Armstrong's cross to the back post with a downward header that gives the keeper no choice.

  12. ouch!

    Ouch!

    Scotland 0-0 Armenia

    Patient build-up from Scotland leads to Andy Robertson dinking over a tempting delivery to the edge of the six-yard box.

    Anthony Ralston steams in to meet it, but his header is blocked and the full-back gets a sore one as he clatters into the back of a defender.

  13. 'McGinn should be doing better'

    Scotland 0-0 Armenia

    Willie Miller
    Former Scotland defender on BBC Sportsound

    John McGinn's had a few strikes from distance now. He's got to get his head over them more and get his technique a bit better when he's striking them.

  14. Scotland 0-0 Armenia

    Another John McGinn dig from 25 yards, but again the Scotland midfield talisman can't keep it down.

  15. Scotland 0-0 Armenia

    John McGinn tries his luck from distance but the ball sails over the bar.

    Just shy of the 20-minute mark and Armenia have weathered the early storm without conceding.

  16. Scotland 0-0 Armenia

    A reminder for Scotland they can't afford to switch off as a simple ball forward splits the defence.

    Barseghyan nips in to get a shot away but it can't trouble Craig Gordon.

  17. 'Armenia playing with no striker'

    Scotland 0-0 Armenia

    Willie Miller
    Former Scotland defender on BBC Sportsound

    Armenia are sitting so deep. I didn't expect them to be quite this deep from the off. They have no one up top, they're basically playing with no striker. They're offering nothing.

  18. GREAT SAVE!

    Scotland 0-0 Armenia

    Scotland are hammering at the door here.

    Anthony Ralston is again at the heart of it, bamboozling his marker and dashing down the right to fizz over a low cross.

    The ball lands at the feet of fellow full-back Andy Robertson, whose strike is destined for the bottom corner until Yurchenko gets his fingertips to it.

    Jack Hendry then sends a header into the keeper's arms as Armenia hang on.

  19. Tartan Army singing in the rain

    Scotland 0-0 Armenia

    Colin Moffat
    BBC Scotland at Hampden

    There aren't too many empty seats as the action gets started, which is a pretty impressive turn-out. How many other B group Nations League games will attract more than 40,000 on a wet Wednesday?

    The classic 'Scotland, Scotland' chant ripples round the stadium as Stuart Armstrong goes oh so close.

  20. 'Almost the perfect start'

    Scotland 0-0 Armenia

    Willie Miller
    Former Scotland defender on BBC Sportsound

    That would have been an ideal lift so early in the game. It was a good move down the left-hand side to start it off. Good opportunity and they were just unlucky to see it not nestle in the net.