Dykes at the double as Scotland beat Ukraine in Nations League
Steve Clarke’s side seemed eager to exorcise the demons of their World Cup play-off semi-final defeat and started brightly in Glasgow.
Ché Adams, Stuart Armstrong and Ryan Christie caused the Ukrainian defence all sorts of problems in the opening exchanges, although the latter pounded the ground in frustration after heading over from Armstrong’s cross. Nathan Patterson delivered a delightful ball into John McGinn, only for the skipper to glance his header wide of the far post.
Patterson’s evening was over not long afterwards, with the full-back landing awkwardly under a strong challenge before being replaced by Aaron Hickey. Adams was lucky to continue himself after a rugby-like challenge from defender Valeriy Bondar, who was fortunate only to receive a yellow card, shortly before the break.
The Tartan Army had won just one of their previous seven matches in all competitions after being level at HT, and there were ominous signs of that statistic being extended when the lively Armstrong blazed a close-range attempt over the bar after being brilliantly teed up by Scott McTominay.
There were audible shrieks of disbelief inside Hampden Park as Adams came close with two headed efforts in quick succession - the first hit the bar, while the second was kept out by Anatoliy Trubin’s feet.
However, the breakthrough finally came courtesy of McGinn, who showed excellent body movement in the area to outmuscle Bondar before firing home a clinical left-footed strike.
Any lingering nerves were extinguished when two substitutes combined to double the lead - Lyndon Dykes brilliantly headed Ryan Fraser’s corner beyond Trubin for his first Scotland goal in almost a year to secure the three points.
Dykes then added the icing to the cake with a strike that was effectively a repeat of the second goal, as he nodded in from another Fraser corner.
It was a fine evening for the Tartan Army, who are now two points clear of Ukraine at the top of the group. Promotion to League A and a place in the Euro 2024 play-offs are now firmly in sight.
Flashscore Man of the Match: John McGinn (Scotland)
