Poland v Scotland LIVE: Nations League latest score and goal ...
Scotland face Poland in the final match of their Nations League group stage campaign, with Steve Clarke’s side looking to avoid relegation from Group A1.
The Scots secured a home win over Croatia at Hampden Park last week to end their long winless run, thanks to a goal from John McGinn, and that result left them level on points with tonight’s opponents but still at the bottom of the group.
Clarke’s men know that nothing other than a win will do this evening, and they face a Poland side that was beaten 5-1 by Portugal in Porto last week.
However, the Scots know they will need to be better – and more clinical – than they were when these two sides met in September, when a last-minute penalty gave Poland a 3-2 win at Hampden Park.
The match is only live on YouTube, but you can follow updates in our live blog below
Scotland face Poland in final Nations League group match | Live on YouTube
Steve Clarke’s side need to win to avoid automatic relegation from Group A1
Scotland could even reach quarter-finals if results go their way
43’ POST! Scott McTominay strikes post for confident visitors (POL 0-1 SCO)
33’ CROSSBAR! Billy Gilmour rattles bar after Scotland hang on (POL 0-1 SCO)
3’ GOAL! John McGinn strikes early to give Scotland dream start (POL 0-1 SCO)
Poland XI: Skorupski; Piatowski, Walukiewicz, Kiwior; Kaminski, Szymanski, Moder, Zieliński, Zalewski; Buksa, Świderski.
Scotland XI: Gordon; Ralston, Souttar, Hanley, Robertson; Gilmour, McLean; Doak, McTominay, McGinn; Dykes.
Scotland make two changes from Croatia win; no Lewandowski for Poland
KICK-OFF! Poland 0-1 Scotland20:49 , Chris Wilson
The away side get us back underway here.
HALF-TIME! Poland 0-1 Scotland20:48 , Chris Wilson
Both sides are re-emerging from the tunnel in Warsaw, so we’ll be back underway soon.
HALF-TIME! Poland 0-1 Scotland20:44 , Chris Wilson
It’s been quite an even game in terms of meaningful chances, with both sides having good opportunities.
Although Poland dominated possession for a period after conceding, they couldn’t create a lot of clear-cut openings, while Scotland hit the woodwork twice!
(REUTERS)
(REUTERS)
HALF-TIME! Poland 0-1 Scotland20:41 , Chris Wilson
It’s been a successful half for Scotland, with a big 45 minutes ahead to avoid relegation from their group. If everything goes their way, they could still stay in the race for promotion via a play-off!
Another goal for Scotland or Portugal would mean that Croatia would drop to third.
HALF-TIME! Poland 0-1 Scotland20:34 , Chris Wilson
The half ends with Kamiński cutting inside a curling an effort wide of the far post.
Scotland go into the break with a vital lead!
Poland 0-1 Scotland20:32 , Chris Wilson
45 mins
On replay, we can see that McTominay’s effort took a tiny deflection off the outstretched foot of Piatowski. A vital touch.
Poland work a great counter-attacking, moving from their own half to the Scotland area within three passes, but Ralston blocks Świderski’s cross.
There’ll be one minute of added time here.
Poland 0-1 Scotland20:30 , Chris Wilson
42 mins
HITS THE POST! So close once again!
Doak beats his man to make space for a cross yet again, but it’s headed away. Scotland retain possession, working it around the Poland half for a minute or so before Doak lays it off to Ralston, whose cross isn’t dealt with and eventually bounces out to McTominay. He lifts his head and rifles a shot against the far post from just inside the box!
Poland 0-1 Scotland20:26 , Chris Wilson
39 mins
Good work from Gordon, as he makes a good save down to his right after Poland had played Buksa into a great shooting position.
Poland 0-1 Scotland20:25 , Jamie Braidwood
36 mins
CLOSE! Another great chance for the away side, and this one comes from brilliant work from McTominay. The ball comes forward, and he drives towards goal, taking one touch to flick it past one defender before hitting a low effort straight at the ‘keeper, who’d rushed off his line.
(REUTERS)
Poland 0-1 Scotland20:22 , Chris Wilson
34 mins
OFF THE CROSSBAR! So close for Scotland!
It’s Billy Gilmour with the effort, and it’s out of nothing as he finds space in front of him and opts from the shot from distance, but it cannons off the underside of the crossbar and stays out!
That would’ve been a stunner.
Poland 0-1 Scotland20:20 , Chris Wilson
32 mins
CHANCE! Scotland’s chance to work an opportunity and once again it’s Doak at the centre of things, collecting the ball in the box before laying it off to Dykes. He has plenty to do but manages to beat a man to work the space to shoot, but he flashes it wide.
Poland 0-1 Scotland20:19 , Chris Wilson
31 mins
Scotland concede another free-kick in a fairly dangerous area, but this time it’s Dykes with a good defensive header.
Poland 0-1 Scotland20:17 , Chris Wilson
29 mins
Scotland really haven’t been comfortable when on the ball on the whole, with the exception of Doak and McTominay. They simply give it away within about seven passes once they do win it back. All okay for the moment though for the away side.
Poland 0-1 Scotland20:15 , Chris Wilson
27 mins
Scotland have dealt with the poland pressure fairly well so far, but there have been two occasions in which the home side were clean through too easily.
There’s been some great defending too though, with Robertson doing plenty down the left.
It falls to Szymanski near the edge of the area, and he tries to curl and effort into the far corner, but it flies over and wide.
Poland 0-1 Scotland20:11 , Chris Wilson
24 mins
CLOSE! A great save from Gordon.
It’s too simple from Poland though, as a long ball forward finds its intended target in Świderski. He jumps to take it down well and he should do better with the finish, but Gordon has rushed off his line well and made himself big enough to make the stop.
20:10 , Chris Wilson
23 mins
Scotland have a rare foray forward led once again by Doak, and he works enough space to get the shot away, but it’s tame and right at Skorupski.
Poland 0-1 Scotland20:08 , Chris Wilson
21 mins
Scotland are having to deal with quite a bit of Poland pressure at the moment, though luckily for them it just isn’t clicking for the home side. Zielinksi does well to beat his man and get the cutback from the byline, but Szymanski can’t get a clean connection and he fires it against a Scotland shirt.
(REUTERS)
Poland 0-1 Scotland20:06 , Chris Wilson
19 mins
Immediately after the chance, Scotland concede a free-kick to the right of their box, but they’re let off the hook once more as it’s rifled against the wall.
Poland 0-1 Scotland20:05 , Chris Wilson
18 mins
CLOSE! A huge let-off for Scotland.
It’s a ridiculous decision from Robertson to play a diagonal across his own penalty area, and it’s cut out by Poland. It runs into the path of Świderski, and he’s one-v-one with Gordon, but he blasts against the side-netting.
Poland 0-1 Scotland20:03 , Chris Wilson
16 mins
Robertson’s delivery is collected by the ‘keeper and Poland look to break, eventually winning a throw-in in line with the box, but they waste the chance by straying offside. That sums up the overall quality on show from the home side so far.
Poland 0-1 Scotland20:02 , Chris Wilson
14 mins
The free-kick is from a fairly dangerous position from the home side, around 35 yards out, but it goes out for a goal kick.
Scotland go down the other end and Robertson does very well to win a free-kick in a similar position.
Poland 0-1 Scotland20:00 , Chris Wilson
12 mins
Much better from Poland as they counter from their own half, playing a couple of combinations before the ball comes out to Piątkowski, who forces Gordon into making the save for the corner.
From the set-piece, Scotland briefly clear it before Robertson is penalised for making a foul while trying to break.
Poland 0-1 Scotland19:58 , Chris Wilson
9 mins
A few exchanges of possession in the Scotland half but it comes to nothing as Gordon collects a ball into the box.
Poland attack again and it’s better worked, though it ends with Kaminski coming inside and firing right at Gordon.
Poland 0-1 Scotland19:55 , Chris Wilson
7 mins
Both sides are struggling to keep possession in the early exchanges, though it’s certainly Scotland who are looking the more comfortable.
They come forward again, and they work half a chance as McTominay feeds the ball to Doak, who skins Zalewski on the wing before seeing his cross cut out and cleared for a throw.
Poland 0-1 Scotland19:53 , Chris Wilson
5 mins
Neither side had really been able to settle before the goal, but Scotland took advantage of that fact and find themselves 1-0 up!
Poland attack but it’s not clicking, with Ralston there to intercept.
GOAL! Poland 0-1 Scotland19:51 , Chris Wilson
3 mins
GOAL!
Scotland make their first foray forward and it ends up in the back of the net!
It’s very well-worked too. They work it forward patiently on the right-hand edge of the box, before a pass is slipped through to Doak. He looks up and picks out McGinn with a perfect cutback, and the Villa man side-foots into the far corner for 1-0!
(REUTERS)
Poland 0-0 Scotland19:49 , Chris Wilson
1 min
Scotland are opened up almost immediately after a clipped ball over the top is latched onto by Szymański, but Robertson was alert to recover.
KICK-OFF! Poland 0-0 Scotland19:47 , Chris Wilson
The home side get us started in the Polish capital.
Poland v Scotland LIVE19:40 , Chris Wilson
Both sides are emerging from the tunnel in Warsaw, and we’re around five minutes from kick-off.
The Tartan Army out in force in Warsaw (REUTERS)
Form guide19:35 , Chris Wilson
Poland - LDLLW
Poland have had a similarly mixed time since the end of the Euros, winning just one of their Nations league matches so far – that was the reverse of today’s fixture, when they needed a last-minute penalty to win 3-2.
In between, they earned a 3-3 draw at home to Croatia, but they lost both matches against Poland and their away match in Croatia.
Form guide19:29 , Chris Wilson
Scotland - WDLLL
Steve Clarke’s side have had mixed results of late, but during this Nations League campaign they’ve played far better than the scorelines suggest.
Their win against Croatia last time out was their first of the group stage, and that followed a well-fought draw against Portugal at Hampden Park in October.
Before that, they’d lost three matches in a row, to each of their group opponents – 3-2 to Poland, and 2-1 to both Portugal and Croatia away.
Is Poland v Scotland on TV?19:22 , Chris Wilson
With around 25 minutes until kick-off in Warsaw, here’s a reminder of how you can watch tonight’s game.
When is Poland vs Scotland?
The match takes place on Monday 18 November with kick-off set for 7.45pm GMT at the Kazimierz Górski National Stadium in Warsaw, Poland.
Where can I watch the match?
Viaplay holds the rights to all of Scotland’s competitive home and away matches until 2028. They made a last minute deal with ITV to show the Nations League matches against Poland and Portugal but the last two outings have been aired on YouTube channels run by Viaplay and the Scottish Football Association.
Unless another late deal is done the match will only be available online via YouTube, on the Viaplay International channel.
Match facts19:15 , Chris Wilson
Scotland’s 1-0 win against Croatia last time out in the Nations League ended a 10-game winless run in competitive fixtures (D4 L6).
The Scots 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.
John McGinn’s winner against Croatia last time out was his 19th goal for Scotland – only four players have ever scored more for the Scottish men’s team (Denis Law 30, Kenny Dalglish 30, Hughie Gallacher 23, Lawrie Reilly 23).
Match facts19:10 , Chris Wilson
Poland lost 5-1 against Portugal last time out in the Nations League, their biggest defeat in all competitions in over two years (1-6 v Belgium in June 2022).
They 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).
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.
Probierz: “told the players that you have to take it on the chest, not hang your heads, not hide"19:00 , Chris Wilson
Under-fire Poland manager Michal Probierz said that “football life is like a whirlpool” after his side’s heavy loss to Portugal.
“I told the players that you have to take it on the chest, not hang your heads, not hide,” Probierz added.
“I have been a coach for over 20 years, but such a combination of circumstances happens very rarely. In the first half we controlled the match, we had our chances.”
Poland have not won a match since their victory over Scotland in September.
Talking points18:50 , Chris Wilson
Poland under pressure
Head coach Michal Probierz came under fire after defeat in Porto took their goals against column to 14 in five games.
There were other issues as well including two players being criticised for posing for photos with Cristiano Ronaldo after the heavy defeat, goalkeeper Marcin Bulka being quizzed about wearing the wrong shorts, and the administrative blunder that prevented Karol Swiderski entering the field after getting stripped for action on the subs’ bench.
The Poles will be without injured talisman Robert Lewandowski and will need to come out fighting to avoid being subsumed by the negativity.
Team news18:45 , Chris Wilson
Poland have made SEVEN changes to the side that was demolished against Portugal, though some were forced on them due to injury.
In goal, Łukasz Skorupski replaces Marcin Bulka, while in defence, Jan Bednarek comes out for Sebastian Walukiewicz.
In the midfield five, Bartosz Bereszyński has made way for Jakub Kamiński, while in the central areas, Kacper Urbanski and Taras Romanczuk have been replaced by Sebastian Szymański and Jakub Moder.
Both attackers have been switched out too, with Mateusz Bogusz making way for Adam Buksa and Krzysztof Piątek coming out for Karol Świderski.
Team news18:40 , Chris Wilson
Steve Clarke has made just two changes to the side that beat Croatia last time out. In attack, Tommy Conway makes way for Lyndon Dykes, while goalscorer John McGinn comes in for Ryan Christie on the left wing.
18:35 , Chris Wilson
Poland XI: Skorupski; Piatowski, Walukiewicz, Kiwior; Kaminski, Szymanski, Moder, Zieliński, Zalewski; Buksa, Świderski.
Subs: Bulka, Dragowski, Wieteska, Gurgul, Slisz, Urbański, Bogusz, Puchacz, Kozubal, Kapustka, Marczuk, Piątek.
Scotland XI: Gordon; Ralston, Souttar, Hanley, Robertson; Gilmour, McLean; Doak, McTominay, McGinn; Dykes.
Subs: Slicker, Henry, Armstrong, McCrorie, Barron, Conway, Shankland, Taylor, Gauld, Christie, McKenna, Devlin.
Team news18:25 , Chris Wilson
The line-ups should be announced at around 6.30pm GMT, but for now here’s a reminder of the early team news.
Scotland have no new injury concerns after their win over Croatia last week, so expect to see a similar line-up to last time out.
Craig Gordon will likely continue in goal with the same back four, while Billy Gilmour and Kenny McLean likely to anchor midfield.
John McGinn may have earned himself a spot in the starting eleven after his winning goal, though it remains to be seen if he will play deeper or in a more advanced role as he has done for his club recently.
Ben Doak – who assisted McGinn – and Scott McTominay should retain their places on the right and centre of the forward line. Upfront, Middlesbrough’s Tommy Conway will hope he did enough to retain his place, though Lyndon Dykes could make a return.
Poland have a number of injuries within their squad, with Robert Lewandowski currently out alongside Jan Bednarek and Bartosz Bereszynski. In addition, Fenerbahce midfielder Sebastian Szymanski was injured in the warm-up before Friday’s match.
Clarke on Doak18:20 , Chris Wilson
Clarke also reserved some praise for Ben Doak, who got the assist for John McGinn’s winning goal and provided a solid performance on the right of midfield against Croatia.
“He’s come into the team, he’s shown a really positive attitude, he gives us something different to what we’ve had before,” Clarke said.
“He gets the assist for the goal, could maybe have had a couple more, maybe have scored one himself,” he added.
“He’s a young player we need to protect and look after but realise that he’s good for now and hopefully for a long time in the future.”
It remains to be seen whether Clarke will start Doak in tonight’s must-win game.
Clarke: “The first job is to go there and win"18:10 , Chris Wilson
Speaking after his side’s win over Croatia, Steve Clarke said that he is “still a little bit uptight”.
“The first job is to go there and win. We’ll count up the goals and whatever else afterwards.
“Let’s take it one step at a time, it’s been a hell of a long time since we got a win so it’d be nice to get another.
“For me the pressure is not released. I still feel a little bit uptight.
“Just with the nature of the game when it’s so tight going into the end you’re always waiting on that low blow that’s affected us a few times recently.”
“The sending off changed the game,” he conceded, before adding that “this is a group of players that want to be successful”.
“That’s another clean sheet, two in a row. If you don’t concede goals you always have a chance to win the game.”
Head-to-head18:00 , Chris Wilson
This will be the 13th meeting between these two sides, with the first taking place in June 1958. Overall, Scotland have won just two, with Poland winning four and six ending as draws.
In their last meeting in September, Poland ran out 3-2 winners thanks to a last-minute penalty from Nicola Zalewski.
Match stats17:50 , Chris Wilson
Poland have lost just two of their 12 meetings with Scotland in all competitions (won four and drawn six), 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 (won two and drawn three), going down 1-0 in a May 1980 friendly.
Scotland versus Poland talking points17:40 , Chris Wilson
Stick or twist?
Scotland head coach Steve Clarke must decide whether to start with the team that beat Croatia or mix things up.
He has already hinted he is considering resting Ben Doak despite the 19-year-old’s star turn on Friday.
John McGinn came off the bench to net the only goal and is pushing for a recall while Lyndon Dykes is a strong contender to start up front following Tommy Conway’s first start.
Goalkeeper Craig Gordon is hoping to shake off illness, otherwise Robby McCrorie is in line for a debut.
Scotland versus Poland talking points17:30 , Chris Wilson
Calculators at the ready
To finish second, Croatia would have to lose at home to Portugal, who have handed some key players an extra few days off after sealing top position with a 5-1 win over Poland.
But this is where it starts to get complicated. Scotland and Croatia’s head-to-head record is identical, and one-goal wins in each game would leave them level on goal difference.
Scotland would need a two-goal win in either game, or to overtake them on goals scored, or away goals scored.
If all those are level, Scotland would go second courtesy of their away win in Warsaw. Theoretically of course.
Scotland versus Poland talking points17:20 , Chris Wilson
Win or bust
In some ways, the task for Scotland is simple. They need to win to jump above Poland and avoid bottom spot in section A1. Otherwise they head back down to league B.
There is plenty else at stake. Scotland started the month among the third seeds for the World Cup qualifying draw and victory would likely take them into pot two, or even pot one.
They would need to finish second to do that, and would also qualify for the Nations League quarter-finals in the process.
Steve Clarke feels Scotland were ‘due’ after lucky break in win over Croatia17:10 , Chris Wilson
Steve Clarke felt his Scotland side ended their long wait for a win with arguably their poorest performance of the UEFA Nations League campaign – but were due the break they received from Croatia’s disputed red card.
Croatia looked the more dangerous side until Petar Sucic received a second yellow card in the 44th minute for a lazy studs-up challenge on John Souttar, having earlier been booked for an innocuous foul on Billy Gilmour.
Scotland’s final ball let them down as they tried to force home the numerical advantage and Croatia even had the best second-half chance before substitute John McGinn knocked home the only goal in the 86th minute.
Steve Clarke feels Scotland were ‘due’ after lucky break in win over Croatia
John McGinn keeps Scotland’s Nations League hopes alive with winner against 10-man Croatia17:00 , Chris Wilson
The match report from last time out...
John McGinn came off the bench to end Scotland’s 10-game run without a competitive victory by firing an 86th-minute winner against 10-man Croatia.
Scotland had struggled to make the most of their numerical advantage after Petar Sucic was sent off in the 44th minute.
Croatia had looked the more threatening side in the first half and still managed to create the best chances after the break before the ball fell for McGinn 12 yards out after the Croatia goalkeeper could only Ben Doak’s ambitious effort into his path.
McGinn keeps Scotland’s Nations League hopes alive with winner against 10-man Croatia
Prediction16:50 , Chris Wilson
Scotland were desperately unlucky in the reverse fixture and will be determined to get a result here after positive performances against Croatia and Portugal since September.
Poland 1-1 Scotland.
Predicted line-ups16:40 , Chris Wilson
Poland XI: Bulka; Piatowski, Walukiewicz, Kawior; Kaminski, Urbański, Romanczuk, Zieliński, Zalewski; Bogusz, Piatek.
Scotland XI: Gordon; Ralston, Souttar, Hanley, Robertson; Gilmour, McLean; Doak, McTominay, Christie; Conway.
Team news16:30 , Chris Wilson
Scotland have no new injury concerns after their win over Croatia last week, so expect to see a similar line-up to last time out.
Craig Gordon will likely continue in goal with the same back four, while Billy Gilmour and Kenny McLean likely to anchor midfield.
John McGinn may have earned himself a spot in the starting eleven after his winning goal, though it remains to be seen if he will play deeper or in a more advanced role as he has done for his club recently.
Ben Doak – who assisted McGinn – and Scott McTominay will retain their places on the right and centre of the forward line. Upfront, Middlesbrough’s Tommy Conway will hope he did enough to retain his place, though Lyndon Dykes could make a return.
Poland have a number of injuries within their squad, with Robert Lewandowski currently out alongside Jan Bednarek and Bartosz Bereszynski. In addition, Fenerbahce midfielder Sebastian Szymanski was injured in the warm-up before Friday’s match.
Is Poland v Scotland on TV tonight? Kick-off time, team news, channel and how to watch Nations League fixture16:20 , Chris Wilson
When is Poland vs Scotland?
The match takes place on Monday 18 November with kick-off set for 7.45pm GMT at the Kazimierz Górski National Stadium in Warsaw, Poland.
Where can I watch the match?
Viaplay holds the rights to all of Scotland’s competitive home and away matches until 2028. They made a last minute deal with ITV to show the Nations League matches against Poland and Portugal but the last two outings have been aired on YouTube channels run by Viaplay and the Scottish Football Association.
Unless another late deal is done the match will only be available online via YouTube, on the Viaplay International channel.
Poland v Scotland LIVE16:10 , Chris Wilson
Scotland travel to Warsaw to face Poland in the final round of fixtures in Nations League Group A1, with Steve Clarke’s side looking to leapfrog their opponents to avoid relegation.
A John McGinn goal gave the Scots a famous win against Croatia last week at Hampden Park, and though they still sit bottom of their group, a win over Poland would mean they avoid relegation at their expense.
Scotland know nothing other than a win will do tonight, with Poland – who lost 5-1 to Portugal last time out – needing just a point to stay above Steve Clarke’s men.
And despite that bruising defeat in Porto, Poland know they have enough to beat the Scots, having won 3-2 with a last-minute at Hampden in September.
Poland v Scotland LIVE16:00 , Chris Wilson
Good afternoon and welcome to The Independent’s coverage of tonight’s match between Scotland and Poland.
It’s straight-out battle to stay in the Nations League’s ‘A’ league, with Scotland needing a win to leapfrog their opponents in the group.
And we’ll have all the latest build-up, team news and updates here.
