Nations League round-up: Scots win on historic night for Robertson, Dutch hit Greeks for seven
Scotland's Andrew Robertson during the UEFA Nations League, league phase, group B1 match at Hampden Park. Pic: Andrew Milligan/Press Association.
John McGinn’s double got Sebastien Pocognoli off the mark and off the hook in a 2-1 victory over Group B1 makeweights North Macedonia at Barclays Hampden.
Visiting goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski denied the Scots three times in a goalless first half and Billy Gilmour missed an open goal from eight yards before fellow midfielder McGinn broke down the North Macedonia rearguard in the 54th minute – only for the limited visitors to level through striker Elmin Rastoder three minutes later.
However, the Aston Villa playmaker scored from the spot in the 73rd minute to give Pocognoli his first home win as Scotland head coach.
Captain Andy Robertson equalled Sir Kenny Dalglish’s 102-cap record and will beat it away to Switzerland on Monday while by taking his international goal tally to 24, McGinn joined Hughie Gallacher as joint-third on the all-time Scotland list.
Scotland moved on to seven points from five fixtures, one point behind second-placed Slovenia who drew 0-0 at home to Group B1 winners Switzerland, but the aim of the runners-up place which brings a promotion play-off spot and a more favourable seeding for the 2028 European Championship qualifiers, is tough.
The Scots play the dominants Swiss in St Gallen while Slovenia will be odds-on to take care of North Macedonia, who, with no points from five games, will finish bottom of the table.
The Netherlands routed Greece 7-0 in a statement Nations League victory to stay unbeaten under new coach Xavi, while Jürgen Klopp’s Germany cruised to a 3-1 win over Serbia thanks to goals from Florian Wirtz, an O.G and debutant Brajan Gruda
That now sets up a decider between the two big-name coaches for first place in their group.
Tijjani Reijnders scored a hat trick and Jurrien Timber had two goals in a rampant win for the Netherlands.
Beaming and holding up three fingers, Reijnders celebrated a hat trick which came off a series of slick team moves to tear apart the Greek defense in Amsterdam.
Crysencio Summerville got the Netherlands started with a sixth-minute opener before Reijnders scored three in the space of 21 minutes, Timber added two more and Donyell Malen a seventh.
Germany is three points behind Group A2 leader the Netherlands before they play on Monday in Berlin.
The top two in the group advance to the quarterfinals, with head-to-head record as the tiebreaker. The Netherlands, Germany and Greece are all able to qualify. Serbia is last after losing all of its five games.
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