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Poland national football team
European Championship | Qualifiers
Oct 14, 2014 at 7.45pm UK
 
Scotland national football team

2-2

Maczynski (12'), Milik (76')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Maloney (18'), Naismith (57')

Live Commentary: Poland 2-2 Scotland - as it happened

Sports Mole brings you live coverage of the Group D Euro 2016 qualifier between Scotland and Poland in Warsaw.
2

Scotland and Poland shared a 2-2 draw in their Euro 2016 qualifier in Warsaw this evening after both sides had led earlier in the match.

Krzysztof Maczynski gave the home side the lead early on, but Shaun Maloney leveled the scores before half time.

Steven Naismith gave Gordon Strachan's side the lead after the break, but they were pegged back by a Arkadiusz Milik equalised late on.

Read how all the action unfolded below:


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Good evening! Scotland will be looking to make it back-to-back wins in their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign this evening, but they face a tough test against group leaders Poland, who have a maximum six points so far. Let's start with a look at the team news...

POLAND STARTING XI: Szczesny, Piszczek, Glik, Szukala, Jedrzejczyk, Grosicki, Krychowiak, Maczynski, Sobota, Milik, Lewandowski

SCOTLAND STARTING XI: Marshall, Hutton, Martin, Greer, Whittaker, Brown, Morrison, Maloney, Naismith, Anya, Fletcher

POLAND SUBSTITUTES: Cionek, Wojtkowiak, Teodorczyk, Boruc, Mila, Wawrzyniak, Olkowski, Starzynski, Zyro, Fabianski, Kucharczyk

SCOTLAND SUBSTITUTES: Gordon, Martin, Berra, Bryson, Forsyth, Bannan, McArthur, Fletcher, Burke, Gilks, Robertson, May

So there are two changes to the starting lineup for Gordon Strachan as he brings in Gordon Greer in place of injured Grant Hanley, while Steven Whittaker is preferred ahead of Andrew Robertson. The good news for Scotland is that Ikechi Anya has shaken off a knock to keep his spot in the side.

Robert Lewandowski will be the main goal threat for Poland this evening. He wasn't among the goals against Germany at the weekend, but did net four against Gibraltar last month, and faces an injury-hit Scottish back four tonight.

When asked about the prospect of marking Lewandowski, Scotland defender Russell Martin told reporters: We will watch all the videos on him before Tuesday. He is a fantastic player but the staff here prepare us for everything. But I'm sure we have seen enough of him in the Bundesliga with the goals he has scored to know how dangerous he is. So we will be ready. We get plenty of help from the lads in front of us and as a team we have to remain solid."

This is actually Scotland's second trip to Warsaw this year, after the two sides played a friendly back in March. Scotland secured a 1-0 win on that occasion, but the home side were without Lewandowski.

Elsewhere in Group D this evening, Germany host the Republic of Ireland and Georgia travel to Gibraltar. You can also follow live coverage from the Germany match, and we'll have half time and full time reporters from both of those matches.

At his pre-match press conference, Poland manager Adam Nawalka told reporters: "As soon as the game [against Germany] ended we were thinking about Scotland. The team is actually very calm and modest. I think we will show that we are heading in the right direction. We have to be prepared mentally and physically and we need a good game plan like we had against Germany."

The players are just about to make their way out ready for kickoff. Before kickoff, the anthems of both nations will be played.

PREDICTION! While the pre-match formalities are taking place, let's make a quick prediction. Coming off a win against Germany and with home advantage, Poland are clearly the favourites. Scotland looked impressive against Germany as well last month, although they missed out on the win, so they should be capable of giving the hosts a good game. I think Poland should just have enough though, beating Scotland 2-1 this evening.

On a side note, the Scottish FA have taken this gift for the Polish boss:


KICKOFF! The home side get the match underway.

Maloney finds Anya down the right flank as Scotland try to do the early pressing, but the home side force the ball back to Greer, who is actually making his competitive debut for Scotland this evening.

Poland look to get forward themselves after winning the ball back in midfield, with Piszczek blasting the ball into the box, but there's no-one there to get on the end of it, and it goes straight through for David Marshall to claim.

Hutton has the ball down the right, but his cross into the box is blocked by Sobota, although it goes behind for a corner. Shaun Maloney takes it for the visitors, but his delivery lacks power, and it comfortably dealt with by Milik.

Lewandowski is on the charge for the first time as a long ball forward find him out wide, but he's outmuscled by Hutton and concedes a throw in. Scotland have looked solid at the back so far, although Poland haven't seen too much of the ball yet, and they're showing plenty of promise going forward as well.

Lewandowski thinks that he is clear for a shot from just outside the box, but Steven Whittaker goes in for the block and catches the striker in the middle of the shin with his studs. Much to the outrage of the home players, the referee doesn't give a free kick. The effect of the challenge is clear, as it's left a huge hole in Lewandowski's sock, exposing his shin pad.

GOAL! Poland 1-0 Scotland (Krzysztof Maczynski)

A mistake from the usually reliable Alan Hutton lets Poland in to open the scoring. Krzysztof Maczynski blasts the ball in after Hutton stumbles while attempting a clearance following a shot from Milik, allowing Maczynski to rifle the ball in from outside the box.

UPDATE: There'a been a goal elsewhere in Group D as well, with Georgia taking an early lead against Gibraltar.

Scotland are trying to build possession in midfield, but they're struggling to make their way into the Poland half, with the home side very well organised in the middle and at the back. Fletcher eventually tries a long ball into the box in a bid to create something, but it's comfortable claimed.

GOAL! Poland 1-1 Scotland (Shaun Maloney)

Scotland are back on level terms and it's a fantastic ball forward from Morrison that finds Anya on the edge of the box. He spots Maloney running in and pulls it back for the midfielder, who smashes it past Szczesny for the equaliser.

Lewandowski tries to get involved down the other end as Poland look to quickly retake the lead, but Naismith is back to help out the defence and puts the ball behind for a corner. Maczynski picks it up on the edge of the box after the initial delivery is cleared, but he curls it just wide.

Maczynski and Lewandowski are looking like a lethal pairing for the hosts as they continue to put the visitors under pressure at the back. After a quick move from the duo gives Poland a throw, Jedrzejczyk launches it long to Sobota, but he can't quite reach it with a diving header.

Anya and Morrison move the ball effortlessly through the midfield for the visitors before the latter passes to Naismith. He tries to set up Fletcher for a shot from the right hand side of the box, but the pass was intercepted by Szukala.

CHANCE! Poland are immediately back down the other end in this high-pace encounter, but Milik doens't quite get his shot right, and it's easily taken by Marshall.

This is end to end stuff at the moment as Anya and Fletcher look to get involved down the other end again, but the visitors can't get the pass in for the strikers.

Scotland press forward again with a deep ball finding Anya out wide. He works hard to keep the ball in play, but there's just too much on it, and Poland win it back.

Steven Fletcher wins a free kick when Kamil Glik clatters into him while they were both going for a high ball. The visitors have the ball around 35 yards out but can't create a chance from it. Meanwhile, Glik has been left with a cut to the head as a result of the clash, and has to step off the pitch for a couple of minutes to have the wound covered.

CHANCE! With Poland still down to 10 men while Glik receives treatment, Fletcher tries to take advantage with a run to the edge of the box before unleashing a low drive, but he pulls the shot wide.

Glik is now back on with a rather eye-catching mesh cap to stop the bleeding. He immediately wins the ball in midfield and fires it forward for Lewandowski, but the visitors manage to get it clear.

The home side are on the attack again with Sobota crossing in for Lewandowski, but Hutton is marking him closely and forces a mistake, allowing Whittaker to clear it for Scotland. That's actually the first time Poland have really looked dangerous in the last 10 minutes, as Scotland have been enjoying a really impressive spell.

Poland are finishing the half strongly as Krzysztof Maczynski curls the ball in before Kamil Grosicki tries a shot, but the Scottish defenders are doing just enough to keep the home side out at the moment.

HALF TIME: Poland 1-1 Scotland

It's all square in Warsaw at half time as Shaun Maloney cancels out an early goal from Krzysztof Maczynski. It's certainly been an entertaining start to the match, with both sides eager to attack in the first half.

Let's take a look at some of the statistics from the first half. Scotland actually had slightly more possession than their opponents with 53%. Officially, Scotland had three shots while Poland had two, although there were certainly more crosses claimed by keeper and mis-queued through-balls. Scotland have committed one more foul than their opponents, but neither side has picked up a booking yet.

Elsewhere is Group D, the match between Germany and the Republic of Ireland remais goalless at half time, while Georgia added a second to lead Gibraltar 209 at the break.

The players are back out on the pitch ready for the second half, but we're still waiting for the officials to return.

Alberto Undiano Mallenco is now back out and ready to get the match back underway.

KICKOFF! Scotland get the second half underway.

CHANCE! Piszczek gets forward early on to try and create something for the hosts, but it's turned behind for a corner. Glik heads the ball down for Milik from the corner, but the striker rushes his finish and slices it high.

Scotland win a free kick in a dangerous area after Maloney is fouled by Glik. Maloney curls the free kick in himself, but Fletcher can't quite get his head to it just a couple of yards out. Meanwhile, Grosicki sprints down the other end while Scotland have numbers forward, hoping to catch them out on the counter, but some fantastic dedication from Anya puts him off as the winger chases after him to halt his progress before he fires wide.

Poland have a corner, which they take short to Pisczek. He fires a lofted high pass in, but it's a little too deep and easily picked up by Marshall.

Poland have certainly made the brighter start to the second half and are putting Scotland under real pressure at the back as Lewandowski picks it up inside the box, but Scotland have numbers back and manage to get it clear as the striker pauses to turn.

GOAL! Poland 1-2 Scotland (Steven Naismith)

Somewhat against the run of play, Scotland have taken the lead! The visitors win a free kick which James Morrison floats in, and Steven Naismith is there to pounce with a powerful finish into the bottom right corner.

Morrison tries to add a goal of his own as a long ball forward from Steven Whittaker, but he smashes the shot well high.

BOOKING! Grzegorz Krychowiak is the first Poland player to pick up a booking for clattering into Shaun Maloney.

CHANCE! Milik is left with his head in his hands as he gets the ball in space in the box, and tries to lob the ball over Marshall, but it's too high and ends up on the roof of the net.

SUB! Sebastian Mila comes on for Waldemar Sobota as the home side make the first change of the night.

CHANCE! Mila almost has an immediate impact as he picks up a ball from Maczynski just a couple of yards out, but he's left with a tricky angle, and can only fire wide.

CHANCE! How are Poland not back on level terms?! Milik sends a cross in from out wide for Lewandowski, who is left with a simple yap in from just a yard or two out, but he doesn't quite get to it, and it goes out the other side. Scotland breath a huge sigh of relief.

Lewandowski is on the move again, but Hutton gets the better of him on the edge of the box, before Mila blasts over.

SUBS! Scotland are making a double change, bringing on Darren Fletcher and Chris Martin for Steven Naismith and Steven Fletcher.

UPDATE: There's been a big goal elsewhere in the group as Toni Kroos has given Germany a 1-0 lead over the Republic of Ireland.

CHANCE! Szczesny is forced to make a save as Maloney fires the ball in from the edge of the box, but the keeper parries it clear.

GOAL! Poland 2-2 Scotland (Arkadiusz Milik)

Just moments after Poland came under pressure at the other end, they're back on level terms as Arkadiusz Milik picks out the bottom right corner with a stunning finish from the left-hand side of the box after Artur Jedrzejczyk played him in.

CHANCE! David Marshall makes a stunning save to prevent Robert Lewandowski from giving Poland the lead, the striker carves his way through the defenders before smashing a swerving effort at the goal, but Marshall dives to he left to tip it around the post.

CHANCE! From the resulting corner, Sebastian Mila tries to head in at the far post, but he nods it a fraction wide. This should be a thrilling last 10 minutes!

After surviving a barrage from Poland in the last few minutes, Scotland are down the other end again looking to restore their lead with Fletcher trying to feed the ball through for Anya, but Glik makes the block.

Martin flicks the ball forward for Anya, who easily pulls away from Mila, but Morrison can't quite get back as quickly as his teammate to meet his cross into the box.

OFF THE POST! Mila loses Scott Brown with some stunning footwork before playing the ball forward for Grosicki, but the midfielder's strike bounces back off the left upright, before the rebound is smashed wide. Just before that Mila was booked for a foul during the Anya break moments earlier.

CHANCE! Poland are absolutely bombarding the Scotland goal at the moment, but somehow they're not finding the winner. Mila curls the ball in from a free kick, but Glik's finish misses the target.

CHANCE! Poland are in again, and after a bit of a scramble in the box it's Glik who gets the shot away, but it's easily saved by Marshall.

SUB! Poland make their final change, sending on Michal Zyro for his debut in place of Kamil Grosicki.

There are just two minutes of stoppage time for either side to find a winner in this nail-biting contest.

Lewandowski looks to set up one of his teammates as a long ball forward falls for him out wide, but before he can pick out a target, he's flagged for offside.

Meanwhile, Scotland haven't given up on this yet as Hutton tries to set up a chance, but his cross is comfortably dealt with.

FULL TIME: Poland 2-2 Scotland

Despite the home side creating a string of good chances in the final 10 minutes, it finishes all square in Warsaw after both sides had led earlier in the game.

With the Republic of Ireland scoring a late equaliser against Germany, the top four remain unchanged in the group, with Poland sitting top, and Scotland staying fourth.

Well that's all from this group, but stick around for analysis and players ratings from this match as well as full-time reports from all of tonight's qualifiers. Thanks for joining me this evening, goodbye.

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Andrew Robertson of Scotland battles for the ball with Giorgi Papava of Georgia during the EURO 2016 Qualifier match on October 11, 2014
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Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Germany Germany00000
2 Hungary Hungary00000
3 Scotland flag Scotland00000
4 Switzerland Switzerland00000

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Albania national flag Albania00000
2 Croatia Croatia00000
3 Italy Italy00000
4 Spain Spain00000

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Denmark Denmark00000
2 England flag England00000
3 Serbia Serbia00000
4 Slovenia Slovenia00000

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Austria Austria00000
2 France France00000
3 Netherlands Netherlands00000
4 Poland Poland00000

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Belgium Belgium00000
2 Romania Romania00000
3 Slovakia Slovakia00000
4 Ukraine Ukraine00000

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Czech Republic Czech Republic00000
2 Georgia Georgia00000
3 Portugal Portugal00000
4 Turkey Turkey00000


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