The fate of UEFA Nations League B Group 1 will come down to Tuesday night in Krakow as Ukraine host Scotland in a winner-take-all fixture.
Scotland are top of Group 1 with 12 points from five matches. The Scots are on a three-match winning streak ahead of Tuesday’s match in Poland.
Relive the action from a packed Hampden Park on Saturday night🏟️ These are your #ScotlandHQ View highlights 🎥 🏴#SCOIRL pic.twitter.com/3Y8h93vfj3— Scotland National Team (@ScotlandNT) September 26, 2022
Relive the action from a packed Hampden Park on Saturday night🏟️ These are your #ScotlandHQ View highlights 🎥 🏴#SCOIRL pic.twitter.com/3Y8h93vfj3
Ukraine are two points behind the Scots and must win on Tuesday night to qualify for promotion to League A.
The teams met just a week ago with Scotland pulling off a 3-0 win at home. John McGinn opened the scoring for Scotland in the 70th minute. Lyndon Dykes added two more goals in the final 10 minutes of the match to seal the victory.
Ukraine followed up their loss in Glasgow with a 5-0 thumping of Armenia. Artem Dovbyk scored twice for Ukraine as they had no trouble against an outclassed Armenia.
Scotland had a slightly more difficult time on matchday No. 5. Steve Clarke’s team came from behind to defeat the Republic of Ireland 2-1. John Egan put Ireland on top in the 18th minute, but Scotland’s Jack Hendry scored just after halftime to level the match.
Ryan Christie’s 82nd-minute penalty gave Scotland the win. The victory keeps Scotland in the league in Group 1. Now, Clarke’s team simply need a draw to seal progression. A loss would see Ukraine finish as group winners.
Tuesday’s match will be the third between Ukraine and Scotland this year. Ukraine won the first meeting as the teams played a World Cup playoff qualifier. The Yellow and Blue went to Glasgow and won 3-1. The Scots returned the favour in the UEFA Nations League on home soil.
However, Scotland must now go away and get a result to progress to League A. The match, technically, will be played on neutral soil in Poland.
Clarke has injury issues ahead of the game. Kieran Tierney, Scott McKenna, and Scott McTominay have all pulled out of the squad. Stephen Kingsley and Barrie McKay will join the squad in Poland. Clarke will have to work with a depleted squad for the showdown with Ukraine.
Ukraine’s only absence for the match is Serhii Sydorchuk. He picked up a booking against Armenia, which means the midfielder is banned from the Scotland match.
Injuries should haunt Clarke on Tuesday as Ukraine find a way to win. This is the rubber match between these sides. Ukraine should find a way to get the win with the game finishing 2-1 at full-time.