Sizzling Scotland were too much for Ukraine to handle as they secured a stunning 3-0 triumph to secure a vital Nations League triumph at Hampden.
John McGinn netted the opener as he used his famous rear to gain the advantage before swivelling to strike midway through the second half. Ryan Fraser and Lyndon Dykes came off the bench and soon combined to put Scotland two ahead in the 80th minute. And the pair were at it again to make it 3-0 shortly after.
The hosts lined up with a back four in a change of formation from recent times, having improved when Scott McTominay moved from a back three into midfield during their World Cup play-off defeat by Ukraine in June. There was a blow for the Scots in the 25th minute when Nathan Patterson, who had picked up a knee injury, was replaced by Brentford's Aaron Hickey. The Everton right-back was taken away on a stretcher with Ukraine coach Petrakov going over to offer support.
Here's how the players rated.
CRAIG GORDON
Keeper had little to do in terms of direct saves and was alive to anything that needed to be swept around the area. Out of his box to clear from Yarmolenko. 7.
NATHAN PATTERSON
Agonising for the Everton man having to go off following a bright start. Raided forward to almost get a sighter and good cross for McGinn header before injury struck. 3.
JACK HENDRY
Strong piece of defending to thwart Mudryk in the box first half and also blocked off Yarmolenko for Gordon to clear as the striker lurked. Looked composed and solid. 8.
SCOTT MCKENNA
Nottingham Forest ace needed to be tough and strong against the powerful Dovbyk. Kept good positional discipline and moved it simply. Header over and cherished clean sheet. 8.
KIERAN TIERNEY
Left back covered the ground and made himself available to take the ball. Terrific press and pick out to create a chance for Amstrong. Volley touched wide by Trubin. 8.
SCOTT McTOMINAY
Strong in the middle of the park alongside McGregor to give a base. Fraction out with a key pass into Christie which could have unlocked Ukraine. Great backheel set-up Amstrong. Fine game. 8.
CALLUM McGREGOR
Alert and mobile in the engine room as he patrolled around taking it and moving it as well as covering spaces. Mature and excellent show in a key area. 8.
JOHN McGINN
Pressed up to support Adams and glanced a first-half header wide. Two delightful lifts to the back post for the Adams headers before typical strength and precision to strike the opener. 8.
STUART ARMSTRONG
Constantly involved. Clever ball that Christie headed over. Two strikes saved before blazing golden chance over and heading a superb opportunity. Only loose finishing let him down. 8.
RYAN CHRISTIE
The Bournemouth man did a brilliant job for the team from the left. Inches from finding Adams with an intelligent pullback and header over. Dropped into spaces to get on it and crucial. 8.
CHE ADAMS
Striker worked the away backline and link the game. Victim of a dreadful foul by Bondor on stroke of half time. Bravely back on and hit the bar with one header before Trubin somehow saved his next. 8 .
SUBS
AARON HICKEY
Replaced the stricken Patterson and did an excellent job going forward and also keeping tabs on the pacy and direct Mudryk. 7
LYNDON DYKES
Took over from Adams for the final 15 minutes. Terrific movement to the front post and leap and header to score and repeated the trick for his second. 6.
RYAN FRASER
Into Amstrong’s beat on the right and hung up two inviting corners for Dykes to head home both his goals. 5.
KENNY McLEAN
On for Christie to give the midfielder a rest. 2.
GREG TAYLOR
Replaced Tierney in the final stages. 2.
UKRAINE: Trubin, Karavaev, Bondar, Matviyenko, Mykhailichenko, Stepanenko (Sydorchuk 46), Yarmolenko (Tsygankov 66), Pikhalyonok (Zubkov 80), Malinovskyi, Mudryk (Ignatenko 80), Dovbyk (Yaremchuk 66).
Referee: Maurizio Mariani
