Scotland 1-0 Slovakia: Lyndon Dykes’ goal leaves Clarke’s men atop Group B2

Scotland extended their unbeaten streak to more than a year when Lyndon Dykes’s second international goal secured a Nations League victory over Slovakia.

Scotland last suffered defeat in Russia 12 months ago, and while they didn’t have much of a chance in an empty Hampden, the Scots have now recorded five wins and two draws in the seven games since that loss.

Clarke’s team now welcomes the Czech Republic in Glasgow on Wednesday.

Despite Thursday’s heroic deeds to beat Israel in the semi-final penalty shootout of the Euro 2020 semi-final, Scotland was criticized for its lack of intensity and avant-garde, and their performance in the first half against the Slovaks made little to answer those criticisms.

The game continued to lack urgency as the half progressed, Scott McTominay and Stephen O’Donnell dragging hopeful efforts out of goal before Branislav Ninaj parried Dykes with a big challenge as the former Livingston player ran towards goal.

The resulting corner saw Motherwell’s Declan Gallagher rise higher, only to watch a header off target as Clarke’s men entered the break without registering a shot on goal.

However, the Scots came out on purpose early in the second period when John McGinn saw a speculative effort spreading before Dykes’ first game. Ryan Fraser fed Stephen O’Donnell down the right, and his delicate cross into the box found Dykes in space to shoot from close range.

The visitors tried to give a quick response when a corner finally fell on Jan Gregus, but their effort was stifled on David Marshall’s second attempt.

Dykes then gave way to Oli McBurnie, and the Sheffield United striker came close to scoring his first goal for Scotland after he crashed a header off the crossbar from a Fraser cross.

Man of the Match – Ryan Fraser

What did we learn?

On an attack front, it appeared that the same problems from Thursday were emerging again after a pedestrian first half. But Clarke will be pleased with his team’s intensity levels in spells during a second period in which Dykes scored the winning goal.

However, what will please the coach the most is that the three in the back record a second clean sheet in a row. After criticism last month, McTominay now seems settled on the role and Gallagher has performed well when asked. Plus, Andrew Considine was right on his debut and that can only give Clarke confidence in his defensive options heading into next month’s play-off.

Match statistics

• Scotland have kept a clean sheet in successive matches for the first time since a three-tie series for the World Cup in September / October 2017.
• Slovakia have not won in four Nations League games since defeating Ukraine 4-1 in November 2018, scoring just two goals since then.
• Scotland won a competitive match 1-0 for the first time since October 2017; his opponent that day was Slovakia.
• Lyndon Dykes has scored four goals in his last seven appearances for Scotland and QPR, scoring in two of his last three games for the national team.

Whats Next?

Both sides continue their National League campaigns on Wednesday (19:45 BST) as Scotland take on the Czech Republic in Hampden and Slovakia host Israel.

What they say

Steve Clarke, Scotland coach: “It was a good performance from start to finish. The system worked well. It was a good solid defensive performance and we looked like a threat going forward.

“[Scott] McTominay, who was supposedly unable to play right back, was excellent again, Declan Gallagher was excellent and Andrew Considine was not disappointed tonight. It was really good. ”