Already assured of their spot at Euro 2024, the pressure was off Scotland in only their third-ever visit to Georgia. But that’s not to say there was nothing to play for, as the Scots were still vying with Spain for top spot in Group A.
However, their prospects of staking their claim to end as group winners were dealt a harsh reality check after just 15 minutes when Otar Kakabadze’s teasing delivery was swept home by Georgia’s go-to man Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
That goal encouraged the hosts even more, and they were unfortunate not to double their advantage shortly after when a free-flowing move ended with Levan Shengelia unleashing a ferocious strike that required a smart stop from Zander Clark on his Scotland competitive debut.
Steve Clarke’s side failed to produce much of a response, although they could’ve been back on level terms heading into the break had Lyndon Dykes not flashed a header across the face of goal when left unmarked from six yards.
Georgia failed to heed that Scottish warning sign and they were pegged back within minutes of the restart. Although not always known for his goalscoring exploits, Scott McTominay is making a name for himself as a hitman and it was the Manchester United man who drew the visitors level when he drilled home from the edge of the area.
While many would’ve expected that goal to kick-start Scotland, it instead spurred Georgia on, and the hosts nosed back ahead almost instantly when Kvaratskhelia stepped in off the left and powered an effort into the bottom corner.
Some of the antics displayed by the Georgian players angered the Scots and the hosts were lucky to end the match with a full quota after Giorgi Kochorashvili evaded a red card for a knee-high challenge on McTominay.
Scotland eventually got what they might feel was justice inside stoppage time when Stuart Armstrong’s delivery was headed home at the far post by Shankland to break Georgian hearts and send the travelling Tartan Army home relatively content.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Georgia)
