Krzysztof Piatek’s injury-time penalty awarded Poland a late 1-1 draw with Scotland at Hampden Park.
In a rapidly organized pleasant after the 2023 Scottish World Cup semi-final towards Ukraine was postponed till June, there was little between the 2 groups till the 68th minute when Kieran Tierney headed a free kick from
Captain John McGinn on his first worldwide purpose.
It seemed as if the Scots had been on their technique to a seventh successive win till the third of the three minutes added when Irish referee Robert Hennessey dominated Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon fouled Platke contained in the penalty space and substitute.
Slotted into the penalty kick.
Steve Clarke’s aspect will play Austria away subsequent week within the second match with a pleasant double-header, as Wales await within the remaining in Cardiff if the Scots finally overtake Ukraine.
Within the absence of Covid-affected captain Andy Robertson, midfielder McGinn was handed the captain’s armband when he confronted off towards his Aston Villa teammate Matty Money.
Nathan Patterson has been put in at right-back regardless of struggling to make an impression at Everton since becoming a member of from Rangers in January, however a powerful Scottish squad that included Scott McTominay, Grant Hanley and Tierney in a triple-defence place with Che Adams commanding.
The gamers first known as up Ross Stewart, Craig Halkett and Aaron Hickey to the bench, as was Poland striker Robert Lewandowski as new coach Czeslaw Micniewicz was watching the World Cup play-off towards Sweden or
Czech Republic subsequent Tuesday.
There was big Polish assist amongst a wholesome Hampden crowd of 39,090 for a match the place £10 of every ticket went to assist UNICEF’s efforts in Ukraine.
A raucous crowd added to the ambiance however the Tartan Military cheered Patterson on within the tenth minute when he snagged 4 Poles in a long term earlier than goalkeeper Lukasz Skorobski saved his left-footed shot from 16 yards.
John McGinn and Kieran Tierney (left) after Scotland’s 1-1 draw with Poland
Within the twenty third minute, Poland missed a terrific alternative to take the lead when defender Bartosz Salamon despatched Kash’s cross over the crossbar from contained in the six-yard space.
The Scots completed the half robust.
Within the thirty fourth minute Adams tried his luck from 25 yards with a powerful drive that Skorobsky collected effectively.
Shortly earlier than the break, Patterson had two saves by Skorupski, the second in the identical incident that additionally noticed Polish goalkeeper Billy Gilmore flip down midfielder, earlier than Ryan Christie hit a protracted header moments later.
First-half substitute Piatek despatched a ball off Gordon’s proper put up early within the second half after the Scotland protection cut up – however the hosts responded positively.
McGinn went round Skorupski after Gilmour despatched him however his contact was too heavy and he ran the ball.
Within the sixty fifth minute, after McTominay misplaced the ball in midfield to Sebastian Szymanski, the pole moved ahead and Piatek’s motion was pushed off the road by Gilmour
Hickey then changed Greg Taylor to make his debut, with Stephen O’Donnell as Patterson. Moments later, the Scots had been in entrance.
The Arsenal defender met a direct free kick from McGinn from the proper, as he headed previous Skorobsky in his first response in Scotland in 31 matches.
Stuart Armstrong, Kenny MacLean and Ryan Jack changed Christie, Callum McGregor and Gilmore, however as soon as the match seemed prefer it was ending in a morale win, the penalty kick was accepted and the hosts needed to equalize.
Scotland’s lengthy undefeated streak is over – opta stats
- Krzysztof Petek’s 94th-minute penalty for Poland halted Scotland’s six-game successful streak, their longest since 2007.
- Poland was undefeated away to Scotland, with two victories and three attracts in 5 visits. It is probably the most Scotland have hosted by any nation with out ever successful.
- Scotland are at present unwinnable in six dwelling friendlies (D2 L4) since their victory over Denmark at Hampden Park in March 2016. It’s their longest run in dwelling friendlies since 1997-2002 (7 matches).
- Kieran Tierney scored his first purpose in Scotland in his thirty first look for the nationwide staff. The purpose was assisted by John McGinn, who has now scored as many assists in his final three Scotland matches as he has within the earlier 40 (2).
- Billy Gilmore claimed his eleventh Scotland title on this match – within the historical past of the boys’s nationwide staff, solely Darren Fletcher (13), Willie Henderson (12) and Paul McStay (12) appeared earlier than their twenty first birthday.
Clarke: Scotland ‘decimated’ by late penalty
Scotland coach Steve Clark:
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Scotland coach Steve Clarke stated he was happy with the day’s efficiency, however felt that the penalty choice that tied the match would have been overturned if it had not been a pleasant match.
“It was a very simple penalty,” he stated. “I noticed the gamers on the sphere, they would not let it go. In fact they’re
Dissatisfied, we wish to win.
“They symbolize their nation, they know they’re on a superb path, and so they wish to attempt to make one other small piece of historical past, seven wins in a row that will have been improbable.
“We’ve got one other sport on Tuesday evening in Vienna, we wish to go there and get again on the successful streak once more.
“They had been dissatisfied to not win that sport and I believe we did sufficient and I believe we deserved to win the sport however we’re shifting ahead.”
“It was a superb efficiency, some first rate probabilities within the first half, perhaps not many within the second half. We put ourselves in numerous good positions.
“They bought a straightforward penalty, which John McGinn may have taken earlier than the Polish hit that will have made it 2-0 and the match over.
“VAR was not concerned tonight, so it’s doable that they might have corrected each choices.
“It will have been higher to be sitting right here saying 1-0, one other clear sheet, seven wins in a row, however six wins and a draw retains the unbeaten run going, retains the momentum going.
“They had been dissatisfied to not win that sport and I believe we did sufficient and I believe we deserved to win the sport however we’re shifting ahead.
“Congratulations to Wales, we are going to attempt to get there to play with them within the remaining.”
What then?
Scotland are as a result of play Ukraine within the semi-finals of the World Cup qualifiers, however the match – which had been scheduled for March 24 – was postponed as a result of Russia’s invasion of the nation.
In the meantime, Poland will face Sweden within the World Cup remaining on Tuesday in a match you possibly can watch stay Sky Sports activities Soccer.
