Poland v Scotland LIVE: Nations League result as Andy Robertson dramatically rescues Scots from relegation
Poland 1-2 Scotland: The captain’s last-minute header saved the Scots from automatic relegation, with a play-off to come to stay in League A
Andy Robertson’s last-minute goal saved Scotland from automatic Nations League relegation as the captain’s dramatic header earned Steve Clarke’s side a famous 2-1 win against Poland in Warsaw.
Scotland had to win to avoid finishing bottom of League A1, but turned their run of late misfortunate on its head when Robertson arrived at the back post to thump a powerful header into the net.
Having lost their first three matches of the campaign and drawing 0-0 with Portugal, Scotland ended their winless run with a late win over Croatia on Friday before earning back-to-back wins with victory against Poland.
Scotland made the perfect start when John McGinn converted a chance inside just three minutes but Poland’s Kamil Piątkowski arrowed a stunning strike into the top to equalise on 60 minutes.
At one stage, with Portugal beating Croatia in Zagreb, another goal would have lifted Scotland to second place - enough to progress to the quarter-finals and claim a seeded place in World Cup qualifying.
But it finished as a draw in Zagreb, which means Scotland will play a relegation play-off against one of the runners-up from League B in March in a bid to retain their top-tier status.
Scotland finish Nations League with final late twist as Andy Robertson has final say
Andy Robertson marked his 80th cap with a sensational stoppage-time winner in Poland to retain Scotland’s hopes of staying in the top level of the UEFA Nations League.
A 2-1 victory in Warsaw sent Scotland above Poland into third place in section A1 and set up a two-legged play-off in March against one of the runners-up in the second tier for the right to stay among the elite.
John McGinn put Scotland ahead inside three minutes with his 20th international goal - putting the midfielder ahead of Ally McCoist in fifth place in the all-time Scotland goalscorers’ list.
Scotland finish Nations League with final late twist as Andy Robertson has final say
Poland 1-2 Scotland: After a campaign that started with a run of late heartbreak, Robertson’s last-minute goal rescued the Scots from automatic relegation from the Nations League
England’s night of firsts reveals true value of Lee Carsley’s tenure
Sir Alf Ramsey remains the only England manger to win a World Cup, a status he may retain for another few decades, but Lee Carsley can bow out as the interim with a unique distinction of his own. Carsley is the only England manager to win promotion. And if that reflects both the newness of the Nations League and the reality that, in an otherwise successful reign, Gareth Southgate contrived to get relegated, Carsley has at least spared Thomas Tuchel a play-off in his first fixtures and can step down with an 83 per cent win rate. This was the most emphatic. The former Republic of Ireland midfielder oversaw England’s biggest victory over the country he represented 40 times.
Ireland were beaten in the space of eight minutes, when their earlier obduracy became irrelevant as they were reduced to 10 men and conceded three times. Uninspired before the break, Carsley’s team then showed a ruthlessness to capitalise as Ireland capitulated. “I wanted the England team to be exciting to watch and be attacking,” he said. So a November of 3-0 and 5-0 wins, even as the number of withdrawals entered double figures, ranks as a personal triumph.
For Harry Kane, it has been an international break with a difference but it brought a successful end. Dropped for the Greece game, crowded out and frustrated in a first half when he got a booking for wrestling with Jayson Molumbuy, he fashioned the opener with a wonderful pass and scored it from the penalty spot. This, he may have pointed out to the players who stayed away, is the reward for reporting for England duty.
England’s night of firsts reveals true value of Lee Carsley’s tenure
England 5-0 Republic of Ireland: The interim manager secured promotion to the top tier of the Nations League, as four players scored their first international goals at Wembley
Wales v Iceland talking points as Craig Bellamy’s side chase promotion
Wales complete their Nations League group fixtures at home to Iceland on Tuesday.
Craig Bellamy’s side are unbeaten in the competition – winning two and drawing three of their five games – and remain in with a chance of gaining promotion to League A.
Here, the PA news agency looks at the main talking points surrounding the Cardiff City Stadium clash.
Wales v Iceland talking points as Craig Bellamy’s side chase promotion
The Dragons drew 0-0 away to Euro 2024 quarter-finalists Turkey on Saturday.
Northern Ireland earn Nations League promotion despite draw with Luxembourg
Northern Ireland saw a two-goal lead disappear in the space of three minutes but a 2-2 Nations League draw with Luxembourg was still enough for Michael O’Neill’s side to earn promotion as winners of Group 3C.
Northern Ireland looked to be in control after Isaac Price fired them ahead in the 19th minute and Conor Bradley doubled the advantage early in the second half, but Seid Korac got Luxembourg back into it in the 72nd minute and moments later Gerson Rodrigues fired in an equaliser.
It set up a tense finish at the Stade de Luxembourg but Northern Ireland hung on and the point, coupled with a 1-1 draw between Bulgaria and Belarus, saw them top the group by two points.
Northern Ireland earn Nations League promotion despite draw with Luxembourg
Luxembourg 2-2 Northern Ireland: Michael O’Neill’s side let a two-goal lead slip but still secured promotion as winners of Group 3C
When is the Nations League draw and how do promotion/relegation play-offs work?
The Uefa Nations League has undergone changes this season, with the addition of quarter-finals to the knockout stage as well as promotion/relegation play-offs at the conclusion of the first phase.
England have already secured automatic promotion back to League A, through winning Group B2, but there is still plenty to play for elsewhere, with further matches to be played across March and June.
Spain are the defending Nations League champions and will be out to defend their crown against the likes of France, Portugal, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands in the Nations League finals.
For others, it’s a case of moving up and down: there will be promotion/relegation play-offs to decide the standings of Leagues A, B, C and D, setting the standings for the next edition in 2026.
Scotland have avoided automatic relegation and earned a play-off spot, while Wales are competing for automatic promotion from League B by may end up in a play-off if Turkey win their group.
The draw takes place this week and here’s everything you need to know.
When is the Nations League draw and how do promotion/relegation play-offs work?
Scotland and Wales are among the teams looking to be playing in League A next season
Probierz: “This game cost us a lot of energy"
Poland coach Probierz was speaking to Uefa, and he says that Poland “got some injuries too, like Jakub Kamiński” today.
“In general it was good game from us, we just needed one minute to hold on. Unfortunately, we did not.
“It is a very painful lesson both for the players and me. But we will continue to work with a clear aim, to qualify to World Cup finals.
“I came in at a very difficult moment. Then we played in most cases against very demanding teams. We also had lot of injuries.
“It is hard but we must survive it and go on, continue. But I can see positives. We played good football during the Euro finals, we had good moments in the Nations League too. That is why I remain positive.”
Clarke: “The more you play at this level, the better you get"
Speaking after another famous win, Steve Clarke says: “The more you play at this level, the better you get. The players never lost belief.
“We want to go to another tournament,” he adds.
“The play-off in March to stay at the highest level of the Nations League will set us up for a tough World Cup qualifying campaign. We are ready for it.”
The World Cup pots
As it stands, Scotland should be in pot 3 for December’s World Cup qualifying draw. There is a route to pot two, but a lot needs to happen.
If either the Czech Republic or Slovakia fail to win at home to Georgia or Estonia tomorrow, then Scotland will scrape in.
What are the pots for the promotion/relegation play-offs?
League A vs League B
League A third place (Pot 1): Hungary, Scotland, Serbia, Belgium
League B second place (Pot 2): Greece, Austria, TBC, TBC.
When is the Nations League draw and how do promotion/relegation play-offs work?
Here’s some added info on the Nations League play-offs.
The Uefa Nations League has undergone changes this season, with the addition of quarter-finals to the knockout stage as well as promotion/relegation play-offs at the conclusion of the first phase.
England have already secured automatic promotion back to League A, through winning Group B2, but there is still plenty to play for elsewhere, with further matches to be played across March and June.
it’s a case of moving up and down: there will be promotion/relegation play-offs to decide the standings of Leagues A, B, C and D, setting the standings for the next edition in 2026.
Scotland have avoided automatic relegation and earned a play-off spot from League A, while Wales are competing for automatic promotion from League B by may end up in a play-off if Turkey win their group.
The draw takes place this week and here’s everything you need to know.
When is the Nations League draw and how do promotion/relegation play-offs work?
Scotland and Wales are among the teams looking to be playing in League A next season
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