Scotland avoid relegation from Nations League top tier after Poland draw

Clarke's men secure point in Warsaw to maintain place in Group A

Late equaliser from Ryan Christie cancels out Robert Lewandowski opener

Scotland avoided relegation from the top tier of the Nations League after securing a 1-1 draw with Poland in Warsaw on Tuesday night.

Steve Clarke's side needed to avoid defeat in their final Group B1 match to maintain their place in Group A and they did so thanks to a late equaliser from Ryan Christie.

Robert Lewandowski had given Poland the lead in the 27th minute, but Christie struck in the 85th minute to earn Scotland a share of the spoils.

The result means Scotland finish third in Group B1, above Ukraine, who were relegated to League B.

Scotland made two changes to the team that started in the 2-1 defeat to Ukraine on Saturday, with John McGinn and Ryan Fraser replacing Scott McTominay and Nathan Patterson.

Poland also made two changes, with Matty Cash and Jakub Moder coming in for Bartosz Bereszynski and Krystian Bielik.

The match started at a frantic pace, with both teams looking to attack from the off.

Scotland had the first chance of the game in the eighth minute when Fraser fired a shot just wide of the post.

Poland responded with a chance of their own in the 12th minute, but Lewandowski's header was saved by Craig Gordon.

The home side continued to press and they took the lead in the 27th minute when Lewandowski scored from close range after being set up by Piotr Zielinski.

Scotland almost equalised immediately, but Fraser's shot was saved by Lukasz Fabianski.

The visitors continued to push for an equaliser and they came close again in the 38th minute when Christie's shot was blocked by Cash.

Scotland made a bright start to the second half and they had a great chance to equalise in the 52nd minute when Che Adams was played through on goal, but he fired wide.

Poland had a chance to extend their lead in the 65th minute, but Zielinski's shot was saved by Gordon.

Scotland continued to press for an equaliser and they finally got it in the 85th minute when Christie scored from close range after being set up by McGinn.

The result means Scotland finish third in Group B1, above Ukraine, who were relegated to League B.

## Reaction

Scotland manager Steve Clarke was delighted with his team's performance.

"I'm very proud of the players," he said. "They showed great character and determination to come back from a goal down.

"We knew it would be a tough game, but we stuck to our game plan and we got our reward in the end."

Poland manager Czesław Michniewicz was disappointed with the result.

"We're disappointed not to win the game," he said. "We had chances to score more goals, but we didn't take them.

"We still finished top of the group, so we can't be too disappointed."