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.
Poland v Scotland LIVE
- FULL TIME! Andy Robertson heads dramatic winner to avoid relegation
- Poland instead go down to League B, with Scotland heading to relegation play-off
- 90+3’ GOAL! Andy Robertson arrives to thump dramatic late header (POL 1-2 SCO)
- 60’ GOAL! Kamil Piatkowski arrows stunning strike into top corner (POL 1-1 SCO)
- 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)
Scotland finish Nations League with final late twist as Andy Robertson has final say
22:16 , Chris WilsonAndy 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
Clarke: “The more you play at this level, the better you get"
22:45 , Chris WilsonSpeaking 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
22:30 , Chris WilsonAs 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?
22:10 , Chris WilsonLeague 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?
22:00 , Chris WilsonHere’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?
Up next
21:49 , Chris WilsonScotland do not yet know their opponents for the play-off in March, so we don’t know what their next fixture is yet!
FULL-TIME! Poland 1-2 Scotland
21:41 , Chris WilsonPoland are relegated and Scotland live to fight another day in the ‘A’ league – they’ll contest a relegation play-off in March.
Scotland fully deserved the three points tonight, with a performance that was brilliant at times. Either side could have won it in truth, but the Scots were more clinical on the night.
FULL-TIME! Poland 1-2 Scotland
21:39 , Chris Wilson95 mins
FULL-TIME! Scotland take the most dramatic of three points in Warsaw!
Poland 1-2 Scotland
21:39 , Chris Wilson95 mins
Now McGinn is booked for delaying the restart as Zielinski fires a ball into the box which is cleared. Scotland counter and win a free-kick...
Poland 1-2 Scotland
21:38 , Chris Wilson94 mins
Buksa was shown a yellow card in amongst all that. Can Scotland hold on?
GOAL! Poland 1-2 Scotland
21:37 , Chris Wilson93 mins
GOAL! What a finish! Scotland have surely won it!
The away side continued applying all the pressure and they work it wide to Souttar. He’s in acres of space and he opts to swing in a cross from deep, and Robertson arrives at the back post to deliver a bullet header past Skorupski!
Poland 1-1 Scotland
21:36 , Chris Wilson92 mins
Scotland are still having all the ball, but they can’t create a clear-cut chance as McGinn can’t latch on to the long ball forward.
Poland take a chance to attack, but they quickly recycle it backwards.
Poland 1-1 Scotland
21:34 , Chris Wilson90 mins
It’s Scotland applying the pressure as the 90 minutes draws to a close, with Armstrong winning a corner. He delivers the ball in and the ‘keeper punches it straight to McLean, who tries to loop a header over him but it lands on top of the goal.
There’ll be four minutes of added time in Warsaw.
Poland 1-1 Scotland
21:32 , Chris Wilson88 mins
One more change for Scotland as Stuart Armstrong comes on for Gilmour.
Scotland work the ball wider to Robertson, who’s come inside a bit, and his early cross wins the away side a corner.
Robertson’s set-piece is headed away to Gauld, who hits a half-cross, half-shot straight out for a goal kick.
Poland 1-1 Scotland
21:30 , Chris Wilson87 mins
Half a chance for Scotland as McGinn swings in an early cross and Christie dives in to convert it goalwards, but he can’t get clean contact and it runs to Skorupski.
Poland 1-1 Scotland
21:29 , Chris Wilson85 mins
There’s still time for either side to win this, and you’d imagine there’ll be one more chance for one of them.
It’s Poland with all the possession now though.
Poland 1-1 Scotland
21:27 , Chris Wilson84 mins
McGinn slips through a great diagonal pass to Robertson, who finds himself in space and rifles over a shot from distance.
Poland 1-1 Scotland
21:26 , Chris Wilson83 mins
Both sides are trying to break forward but there’s a real lack of quality in the final third at the moment, and it’s pretty scrappy now as Christie is booked for a foul near halfway.
Poland 1-1 Scotland
21:25 , Chris Wilson81 mins
Gauld does well to win a free-kick near the edge of the Poland box. This could be a great opportunity.
It’ll be Robertson to swing it in – but someone’s committed a foul! Poor.
Poland 1-1 Scotland
21:23 , Chris Wilson79 mins
Zielinski is booked for a challenge earlier as McGinn clips Szymański and the Scottish attack breaks down. Has either side got one moment of quality left?
Poland 1-1 Scotland
21:21 , Chris Wilson77 mins
Gilmour does well to sweep up the danger and prevent a 1-v-1 with Gordon. Scotland try and get forward but it’s all long balls at the moment.
Poland 1-1 Scotland
21:20 , Chris Wilson76 mins
McTominay makes way for Scotland, and Ryan Gauld comes on, while Ralston comes off for Devlin.
Poland 1-1 Scotland
21:19 , Chris Wilson73 mins
Robertson and McGinn combine well down the left and the former clips a good cross into the box, but the ‘keeper does well to collect.
Poland make another change as Swiderski comes off for Urbanski.
Poland 1-1 Scotland
21:16 , Chris Wilson71 mins
Christie is booked for flying in on Puchacz.
Croatia have equalised against Portugal, so as it stands Scotland are getting relegated.
Poland 1-1 Scotland
21:13 , Chris Wilson69 mins
Robertson’s corner is flicked on by McLean and it’s headed just off the line by Walukiewicz, and Scotland commit a foul on the ‘keeper as they try and turn the ball in.
Poland 1-1 Scotland
21:12 , Chris Wilson68 mins
Lovely work from Gilmour to nutmeg his man and play Scotland out of trouble in their own half. The away side have a spell of possession here, and it ends with Ralston receiving the ball on the overlap and winning a corner as his cross is deflected out.
Poland 1-1 Scotland
21:10 , Chris Wilson66 mins
Poland have just made a sub, with Puchacz replacing Kaminski, while Scotland have also made a double change.
Doak and Dykes make way for Christie and Shankland. Not a change I would have made – Doak was excellent all evening.
Poland 1-1 Scotland
21:09 , Chris Wilson64 mins
CLOSE! Doak is at the centre of things again, laying it off to Gilmour, who’s deflected cross is at the perfect height for Dykes to power a header goalwards. It briefly looks like it’s nestling in the back of the net, but Skorupski makes a great sprawling save.
Poland 1-1 Scotland
21:06 , Chris Wilson61 mins
Real end-to-end stuff here as Robertson charges forward, but his cross is cut out. There’s a break for both sides now as goalscorer Piatowksi is down for treatment.
GOAL! Poland 1-1 Scotland
21:04 , Chris Wilson59 mins
GOAL! The curse of the ‘commentator’.
It’s an unstoppable strike from Piatowski to level it.
There’s some pinball in the Scotland box and it’s laid off to Piatwoski. He hits it first time, cutting across it a little with plenty of backspin, and it flies right into the roof of the net in the opposite corner. What a goal that is.
Poland 0-1 Scotland
21:02 , Chris Wilson57 mins
The free-kick comes to nothing, and their next attacks does too thanks to a poor pass from McGinn. Poland come forward, but there are no gaps in the scottish defence yet.
Poland 0-1 Scotland
20:59 , Chris Wilson55 mins
A dangerous Poland attack comes to nothing in the end as a man had strayed offside, and there’s some respite for Scotland, which continues as McGinn is scythed down by Piatowski, who is booked.
A chance for a dangerous set-piece for the Scots!
Poland 0-1 Scotland
20:57 , Chris Wilson53 mins
Doak creates yet another chance as he squares it to McTominay in the box, but the Napoli man is just leaning back and he rifles it well over.
Poland 0-1 Scotland
20:55 , Chris Wilson51 mins
Zalewski is the latest to cut in and take a shot from distance, but he drags it wide of the near post.
Poland 0-1 Scotland
20:54 , Chris Wilson48 mins
CLOSE! More great defending, this time from Poland. Scotland break and it’s McGinn and McLean leading the charge, with the latter laying it off to the Villa man in the box. He hits a great low cross to Dykes at the front post, but his shot is deflected behind with a sliding challenge!
There was a change at half-time to report: Bartosz Slisz came on for Poland, and he replaced Jakub Moder.
Poland 0-1 Scotland
20:52 , Chris Wilson47 mins
CLOSE! Excellent defending from Souttar!
Poland have had all the ball since the whistle and they pour numbers forward, and it comes to Kaminski on the right of the box. He fools Robertson with the stepover and fires a low shot that’s beaten Gordon, but Souttar slides in to prevent it from crossing the line!
KICK-OFF! Poland 0-1 Scotland
20:49 , Chris WilsonThe away side get us back underway here.
HALF-TIME! Poland 0-1 Scotland
20:48 , Chris WilsonBoth sides are re-emerging from the tunnel in Warsaw, so we’ll be back underway soon.
HALF-TIME! Poland 0-1 Scotland
20:44 , Chris WilsonIt’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!
HALF-TIME! Poland 0-1 Scotland
20:41 , Chris WilsonIt’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 Scotland
20:34 , Chris WilsonThe 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 Scotland
20:32 , Chris Wilson45 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 Scotland
20:30 , Chris Wilson42 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 Scotland
20:26 , Chris Wilson39 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 Scotland
20:25 , Jamie Braidwood36 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.
Poland 0-1 Scotland
20:22 , Chris Wilson34 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 Scotland
20:20 , Chris Wilson32 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 Scotland
20:19 , Chris Wilson31 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 Scotland
20:17 , Chris Wilson29 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 Scotland
20:15 , Chris Wilson27 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 Scotland
20:11 , Chris Wilson24 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.
Poland 0-1 Scotland
20:10 , Chris Wilson23 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 Scotland
20:08 , Chris Wilson21 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.
Poland 0-1 Scotland
20:06 , Chris Wilson19 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 Scotland
20:05 , Chris Wilson18 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 Scotland
20:03 , Chris Wilson16 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 Scotland
20:02 , Chris Wilson14 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 Scotland
20:00 , Chris Wilson12 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 Scotland
19:58 , Chris Wilson9 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 Scotland
19:55 , Chris Wilson7 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 Scotland
19:53 , Chris Wilson5 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 Scotland
19:51 , Chris Wilson3 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!
Poland 0-0 Scotland
19:49 , Chris Wilson1 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 Scotland
19:47 , Chris WilsonThe home side get us started in the Polish capital.
Poland v Scotland LIVE
19:40 , Chris WilsonBoth sides are emerging from the tunnel in Warsaw, and we’re around five minutes from kick-off.
Form guide
19:35 , Chris WilsonPoland - 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 guide
19:29 , Chris WilsonScotland - 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 WilsonWith 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 facts
19:15 , Chris WilsonScotland’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 facts
19:10 , Chris WilsonPoland 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 WilsonUnder-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 points
18:50 , Chris WilsonPoland 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 news
18:45 , Chris WilsonPoland 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 news
18:40 , Chris WilsonSteve 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.
Line-ups
18:35 , Chris WilsonPoland 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.
🆕 SKŁAD
— Łączy nas piłka (@LaczyNasPilka) November 18, 2024
W takim zestawieniu rozpoczniemy mecz ze Szkocją!
__ #POLSCO 🇵🇱🏴 pic.twitter.com/iVTb0vS9hb
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.
🔢 Tonight’s team.
— Scotland National Team (@ScotlandNT) November 18, 2024
🏴 Watch here: https://t.co/FIdphqjEzI#POLSCO pic.twitter.com/JNQ49TmBi2
Team news
18:25 , Chris WilsonThe 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 Doak
18:20 , Chris WilsonClarke 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 WilsonSpeaking 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-head
18:00 , Chris WilsonThis 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 stats
17:50 , Chris WilsonPoland 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 points
17:40 , Chris WilsonStick 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 points
17:30 , Chris WilsonCalculators 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 points
17:20 , Chris WilsonWin 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 Croatia
17:10 , Chris WilsonSteve 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 Croatia
17:00 , Chris WilsonThe 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
Prediction
16:50 , Chris WilsonScotland 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-ups
16:40 , Chris WilsonPoland 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 news
16:30 , Chris WilsonScotland 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 fixture
16:20 , Chris WilsonWhen 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 LIVE
16:10 , Chris WilsonScotland 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 LIVE
16:00 , Chris WilsonGood 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.
