Postpublished at 32 mins
Scotland 1-0 Cyprus
Cyprus playmaker Grigoris Kastanos is booked for simulation after going down rather theatrically following Callum McGregor's challenge. Having watched it again, it's a clear dive.
Summary
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Scotland 3-0 Cyprus - Robertson bursts down left to cross for McGinn to tap in; McTominay rams in second on half volley before sliding in hosts' third; Ioannou sent off late on
First round of Euro 2024 qualifying - Victory was Scotland first winning opening to a Euro qualifying campaign since 2006
Scotland face Spain on Tuesday at Hampden
Postpublished at 32 mins
McGinn has 'extra bit of energy'published at 14:32 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2023
Scotland 1-0 Cyprus
Alan Hutton
Former Scotland defender on BBC 5 LiveIt's a great finish back post. I was at Aston Villa when he [McGinn] came down from Hibs and he's come on leaps and bounds since then. He's taken everything in his stride. I love watching him play for Scotland. He's got that extra bit of energy.
'Marginal' decisionpublished at 14:32 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2023
Scotland 1-0 Cyprus
Willie Miller
Former Scotland defender on BBC SportsoundLooking across the line, I thought it was marginally offside, but we have got the call.
Image source, SNSImage caption, Scorer John McGinn celebrates with the player who provided the assist, Andy Robertson
'Germany, Germany....'published at 14:30 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2023
Scotland 1-0 Cyprus
Kheredine Idessane
BBC Sport Scotland at HampdenHow hope springs eternal. Barely 25 minutes on the clock, with John McGinn's 16th goal for his country neatly tucked away (after a lengthy VAR delay for confirmation) and already a packed Hampden is convinced about where next year's holiday money might be spent.
"Germany, Germany, we're the famous Tartan Army and we're off to Germany." Easy lads and lasses. Don't go packing those suitcases quite yet, eh?
McGinn overtakes another Scotland heropublished at 14:30 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2023
Scotland 1 Cyprus 0
Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland at Hampden ParkOnce again it's John McGinn, who has now surpassed James McFadden in goals scored with 16.
He is so influential in a Scotland shirt, revelling in the responsibility to deliver in front of these adoring fans.
That was perfectly timed as there appeared to be a lack of threat in the vital area with Scotland comfortable but not cutting Cyprus open.
That should settle them down and give a platform to go and grab this fixture by the scruff of the neck.
Image source, ReutersImage caption, John McGinn was on hand with the finish for Scotland
Scots 'in control'published at 14:29 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2023
Scotland 1-0 Cyprus
Craig Levein
Former Scotland manager on BBC SportsoundScotland have started very well. Controlled the game and it was 16 minutes before Cyprus had a shot at goal and it was comfortably saved. I think Steve will be really happy.
CLOSE!published at 27 mins
Scotland 1-0 Cyprus
That was closer than anyone in dark blue would enjoy. Cyprus captain Kostakis Artymatas picks up a bouncing ball and dips a shot towards Angus Gunn's top left corner.
It drops over, much to almost everyone in the ground's relief.
Postpublished at 25 mins
Scotland 1-0 Cyprus
Twenty-five minutes in and so far so good for Scotland. A goal to the good and plenty of pressure, particularly from the left-hand side.
And, unusually on these shores, VAR is proving popular!
McGinn Scotland's 'talisman'published at 14:25 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2023
Scotland 1-0 Cyprus
Leanne Crichton
Ex-Scotland international on BBC SportsoundJohn McGinn is a top performer in club football, but at international level he is outstanding and he is a talisman for this team.
Image source, SNSImage caption, John McGinn celebrates his 16th Scotland goal
Postpublished at 14:25 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2023
Scotland 1-0 Cyprus
Amy Canavan
BBC Scotland at Hampden ParkNow that was a roar!
John McGinn absolutely loves scoring for Scotland, doesn't he? And not many more will be easier than that.
He's rather super...
GOAL GIVEN!published at 14:23 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2023
Scotland 1-0 Cyprus
The goal stands! There seemed to be suspicion that Andy Robertson was offside when he received the ball but VAR has allowed what is John McGinn's 16th international goal.
Replays show Valentin Roberge's foot was playing Robertson onside.
Postpublished at 14:23 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2023
But wait, there's a VAR check...
GOAL Scotland 1-0 Cypruspublished at 14:22 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2023
John McGinn
Scotland press again down the left and Andy Robertson's deflected cross finds John McGinn at the back post. The midfielder applies the finish and Scotland have the lead.
Image source, BBC SportPostpublished at 17 mins
Scotland 0-0 Cyprus
Angus Gunn makes his first contribution in a Scotland shirt, making a simple save to collect a Grigoris Kastanos shot.
Good start for Scotspublished at 14:16 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2023
Scotland 0-0 Cyprus
Willie Miller
Former Scotland defender on BBC SportsoundScotland have started really positively. The wing backs are getting forward and Andy Robertson in particular has linked well down the left. Cyprus have set up to frustrate. They have two up top, which is a bit of a surprise, but the others are looking to keep it tight.
Image source, SNSPostpublished at 14 mins
Scotland 0-0 Cyprus
Nice footwork from Aaron Hickey and the wing-back draws a save from the goalkeeper at his near post.
The first attempt at taking the corner is held up after Ryan Porteous and former Hibernian teammate Alex Gogic do a bit of wrestling in the box.
The next attempt is cleared and Scotland's Stuart Armstrong is booked for fouling Grigoris Kastanos.
Image source, PAScotland dominantpublished at 14:14 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2023
Scotland 0-0 Cyprus
Leanne Crichton
Ex-Scotland international on BBC SportsoundMore positive play. The amount of bodies Scotland had in the box there shows how much of the ball they are having and how aggressive they are in the forward play.
Postpublished at 14:12 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2023
Scotland 0-0 Cyprus
Alan Hutton
Former Scotland defender on BBC 5 LiveScotland do well when somebody gets the ball and drive forward. Cyprus are hard to break down when they get back in formation so Scotland need to move the ball quickly.
Image source, SNSImage caption, Marios Antoniou tackles Stuart Armstrong
Postpublished at 10 mins
Scotland 0-0 Cyprus
Kieran Tierney presses high on the left for Scotland and wins a throw-in. The hosts recycle the ball and Stuart Armstrong crosses for John McGinn, who cannot turn his shot on target.
The ball is still in play and an Andy Robertson cross from the left is collected by goalkeeper Demetris Dimitriou.
Postpublished at 14:06 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2023
Scotland 0-0 Cyprus
The Scotland players belt out the national anthem pre-match.
Image source, SNS