Scotland claimed a 2-0 win over North Macedonia in Skopje, giving head coach Sebastien Pocognoli his first victory in charge and ending a difficult run without a goal. The result also saw captain Andy Robertson win his 100th cap.
Robertson became only the second Scotland player to reach the landmark and almost marked it with an early goal, forcing a fine save from Stole Dimitrievski before later firing wide and over.
Scotland’s pressure was rewarded in the seventh minute when Kieron Bowie collected the ball outside the area and drove a powerful shot into the bottom corner. It was his first international goal and Scotland’s first in more than 420 minutes.
The visitors remained in control despite an unusual interruption when a dog ran on to the pitch. Ben Gannon-Doak and Bowie both had further opportunities before the interval, while Robertson continued to threaten from the left.
Gannon-Doak appeared to have won Scotland a penalty shortly after half-time when he went down in the area. However, referee François Letexier reviewed the decision at the pitchside monitor and overturned it.
Scotland were awarded another penalty in the 64th minute after Scott McKenna’s header struck the post and Bojan Miovski was judged to have stopped Bowie’s rebound with his arm.
John McGinn took responsibility and sent Dimitrievski the wrong way to double Scotland’s advantage. The Aston Villa captain’s successful spot-kick was his 27th goal for his country, coming after questions had been raised about his international future.
The evening ended with another red card for Scotland inside a week. McKenna was dismissed in the 83rd minute for a last-man challenge on Agon Elezi, repeating the late setback suffered by Jack Hendry against Switzerland in midweek.
Scotland will finish the extended international break by hosting Slovenia at Hampden Park on Tuesday night in their final Nations League match of the current period.
