Scotland 2-1 Republic of Ireland: Ryan Christie's late penalty gives hosts crucial win

Scotland needs a point away to Ukraine on Tuesday to win Nations League Group B1 after a hard fought victory over the Republic of Ireland.

John Egan volleyed Ireland in front.

Ryan Christie stroked home the penalty winner eight minutes from time, after Alan Browne was called for a penalty for handling the ball.

Steve Clarke's side is two points ahead of the Ukrainians, who lost in Armenia.

Scotland head into their final group game in Krakow, Poland, with more injuries worries after both full-backs were forced off, while Scott McTominay is suspended for the game.

Ireland is able to finish third in the group.

• Reaction & how it happened

The win over Ukraine made Scotland happy. The expectation was that they would simply roll over an Irish side who they had just beaten.

Troy Parrott smashed the ball high into the net after slaloming through the Scotland defence. The celebrations were cut short by the flag of the assistant referee.

The visitors got two v two after breaking on the counter- attack. The opener was delayed by the blocking of Parrott's attempt.

Scotland's weakness in Dublin was set-plays. They couldn't clear a corner and the ball fell to Egan who hit the ball through a group of bodies.

In Dublin, the men fell apart, but this time they came back strong. The home side continued to push forward, but the ball wouldn't fall for the two players in the box, while John McGinn missed a shot.

Four minutes into the second half, Scotland was level. Matt Doherty allowed Christie to breeze past him all too easily, and he met his delivery and headed into the far corner.

Greg Taylor was caught in possession at the other end, but he missed. McGinn hit the post as the game promised more goals.

When Ireland pulled the hosts apart, that should have happened. The Irish broke two on one, Michael Obafemi laid the ball into the path of Parrott who saw the whites of Gordon's eyes but shot straight at him.

Gordon's clearance bounced off Chiedozie and into the hands of the grateful goalkeeper. Ireland passed up the chances while Scotland was in control.

In Scotland's favor came the shift in the momentum. Ryan Fraser's shot was tipped over and he was forced to head the ball away from Mc Tominay.

Scotland was given a penalty when Browne diverted the ball from McTominay's path in the box, just as they were growing frustrated.

Christie converted the penalty after the video assistant referee checked. Ireland tried to get an equalizing goal but found a defence that was desperate to hold on to the game.

Man of the match - Jack Hendry

Dogged Scotland find a way - analysis

The 90 minutes wasn't the same as Wednesday, but it was still exciting.

Scotland's joy against Ukraine was due to their marauding full-back and clever movement up front.

Ireland were smart in the tactical sense. They pinned Scotland's wide players back and defended their corners. Despite having the lion's share of possession, the Irish were able to find opportunities of their own.

It was a match that could have gone either way.

Scotland did not have it all their own way as they did on Wednesday, but the confidence will be sky high before their second game against Ukraine.

What's next?

Group B1 ends on Tuesday with Scotland taking on Ukraine in Krakow, Poland and the Republic of Ireland playing Armenia in Dublin.

Match stats

• Scotland are unbeaten in all eight of their home games in the Nations League (W7 D1) - no team has played more at home without ever losing in the competition (Italy also 8).
• Republic of Ireland are winless in all seven of their away games in the competition (D2 L5), losing each of the last four.
• Both teams scored with their first shots on target - for Scotland it was just the second time they'd conceded first in a home game in the Nations League (also v Israel in 2018), while it was the first time Ireland had scored first in an away game in the competition.
• In his 33rd appearance for Scotland, Ryan Christie both scored and assisted a goal in the same game for the first time at international level.
• Jack Hendry completed all 60 of his passes - the most a player has made while maintaining a 100% pass accuracy in this edition of the Nations League.
• John McGinn has created more chances (12) and had more shots (19) than any other Scotland player at this edition of the Nations League, with the midfielder having a further three of each against Ireland.