A 97th minute penalty from Nicola Zalewski denied Scotland a bold comeback after Steve Clarke’s side fought from two goals down to restore parity against Poland. In a very Scotland-esque finale, however, they successfully undone all their good work with one rash moment of madness as Grant Hanley upended Grant Hanley took out Zalewski The Pole dusted himself down to level from the spot.
Second-half goals from Billy Gilmour and Scott McTominay had cancelled out Poland’s first half efforts from Sebastian Szymanski and Robert Lewandowski with Scotland pressing for a winner. Instead, as they pushed for what would have been a laudable comeback they ended up empty-handed.
The flatness at full-time cancelled out what had been a spirited and energetic display from Scotland in the second period but, ultimately, it leads now to the glaring stat of just one win from their last 13 games, a stat that will not dissipate the questions that have hung in the air since the European Championships.
It was a game that started and finished in the same vein as Scotland cheaply gifted their opponents the ascendancy when Szymanski gave Poland there lead after just nine minutes.
Gilmour thought he had been fouled as he conceded possession before Szymanski collected and sent a rasping 35-yard effort past Angus Gunn.
Scotland tried to rally with Scott McTominay briefly heading them level from Andy Robertson’s free-kick; problem was that the ball had awkwardly bounced off the arm of the midfielder with VAR intervening to chop his effort off.
Still, Scotland’s intent was there was they looked to get themselves back into the game.
Lyndon Dykes will still be ruing the chance he missed as Ryan Christie’s delivery from the left-hand side picked out the striker at the back post. Going for the spectacular with a half-volley, Dykes squandered the best opportunity Scotland had created.
And Poland quickly made him suffer.
As the visitors went straight up to the other end of the pitch, Nicola Zalewski was caught by Anthony Ralston whose foot seemed to stick as he went into the back of the Pole. Up stepped Lewnadowski to send Gunn the wrong way with an emphatic penalty, his 84th goal for his country.
There were jeers as Scotland headed into the break although Gilmour offered some hope immediately after the restart. The midfielder blasted a low effort through a ruck of bodies and into he net. This one survived a tense VAR check.
As both teams went looking for another goal, Scotland almost allowed Poland to restore their two-goal cushion with Szymanski arching a glorious effort that was inches away from finding the top corner.
With 20 minutes of regulation time remaining, Clarke rolled the dice as he introduced Lawrence Shankland, Ben Doak and Ryan Gauld as he went in search of a leveller.
It was bold and positive move; and Clarke got his reward just seven minutes later. It came via McTominay after Ralston picked him out with the midfielder finding the net from close range.
Next up was Lewis Morgan’s introduction as Scotland went for it.
The sting in the tail, then, was brutal.
Grant Hanley took out Zalewski who did not miss from the spot.
It was harsh on Scotland but will add to the pressure on Clarke. It doesn’t get any easier, either, with Portugal next up on Sunday.
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