Key events
Congratulations to Scotland, and very well done to Andy Robertson, who fully deserved to mark his 100 caps with a victory. Sid Lowe’s report from Spain 2-1 Czechia is also below.
Nations League tables are here.
Goodnight.
Scotland’s Andy Robertson soaks it up after reaching 100 international caps. Photograph: Ognen Teofilovski/ReutersShare
Updated at 17.20 EDT
“He scored the most difficult chance of the game,” Pocognoli says of Bowie’s fine opening goal. “And I was really pleased for him, because I know the topic about not scoring will be on the table, after 25 minutes … I was happy for him … yes, I was really pleased with his performance, and from many of the lads.”
Pocognoli, the Scotland head coach, speaks to the BBC: “I’m very pleased, for sure, with this first win. But yeah, stay stable, because we have a game in three days, and we want to have another good game before the end of the first camp together … but today, I think we played a very good game, we created a lot of chances, we keep a clean sheet twice in two games, which for me means a lot … and I think we played with the right attitude.
“I think we played with the right attitude. Not everything was perfect, because we should have scored more goals, but we continued from the second half from Slovenia, and I hope we can have another good game at home.”
Updated at 17.08 EDT
This was an occasion on which Scotland dare not stumble. By the time Kieron Bowie smashed home a seventh minute opener against a North Macedonia side not without its troubles to seek, it was already clear they would not. Bowie afforded Sébastien Pocognoli his first goal as the Scotland manager. Later, the Belgian had his maiden victory confirmed. Anything else, against such a dismal level of opposition, would have been worthy of significant Scottish embarrassment.
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“They did a nice presentation for me this afternoon,” Robertson adds, having marked his 100th cap for Scotland. “My message was clear: I just wanted to win … today, the lads done so well to get the win … one that will be memorable for me for a long time, and all my family.
“I thought we played excellent. I thought we played really well on a difficult pitch. I thought we could have been four or five-nil up at times … we made it a wee bit interesting with the sending off, but I thought we defended so well for the last 10 minutes, defended our box, and kept a clean sheet. Most of the lads, or all of the lads, were magnificent tonight. It was a big win. You want to get it for the manager as early as possible, and thankfully we’ve done that today.”
Andy Robertson applauds the fans. Photograph: Nikola Krstic/ShutterstockShare
Updated at 16.58 EDT
“It means everything to me and my family,” Robertson says of his 100th cap. “We sacrifice a lot … I’ve been away 100 times now, I’ve got to feel sorry for my wife, dealing with the kids back home
“But yeah, look, it’s been an unbelievable journey. I remember my first game under Gordon Strachan, in Poland … it’s been a process from there, trying to keep going, always trying to be available for my country.
“I’m very fortunate to have done that so many times. It’s really emotional for me. I love this country, I’ve never hid away from that, and there’s only one person before me in the mens’ game to do it. It’s a pretty special achievement.”
Scotland will face Slovenia at Hampden Park on Tuesday to round off this marathon international window.
ShareFull-time: North Macedonia 0-2 Scotland
That was a dominant display from Scotland. The pitch wasn’t great, but neither were the opposition: regardless, Pocognoli has a win to kickstart his reign and Andy Robertson a well-deserved victory to mark his 100th cap.
Ben Gannon-Doak was excellent on the right, and Kieron Bowie netted his first international goal, a sweet strike from outside the penalty area.
Andy Robertson had a fine game. Photograph: Nikola Krstic/ShutterstockShare
Updated at 16.48 EDT
Full-time: Spain 3-1 Czechia
Lamine Yamal, Rodri and Mikel Merino with the goals for Spain.
Ladislav Krejci was sent off for Czechia on 85min.
Lamine Yamal: good at football. Photograph: Amanda McMaster/Action Plus/ShutterstockShare
Updated at 16.43 EDT
Full-time: Switzerland 2-1 Slovenia
Three from three in Group E for the Swiss. They’re a on roll! (Sorry.)
Updated at 16.40 EDT
90 min +3: Djekov tries one from distance. But it’s a naff effort. Gunn has hardly been troubled at all in the Scotland goal.
90 min +2: A minimum of eight minutes added in Skopje.
ShareGoal: Spain 3-1 Czechia (Merino 89)
Les jeux sont faits.
Mikel Merino of Spain scores his team’s third goal. Photograph: Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty ImagesAnd celebrates. Photograph: Vincent West/ReutersShare
Updated at 16.56 EDT
87 min: Gilmour off, Luke Graham on for Scotland. Moments before, Robbie Ure smacked a shot into the side netting from a tight angle.
Updated at 16.33 EDT
86 min: For the first time, Scotland are under a bit of pressure in defence. That’ll teach me to write off the plucky North Macedonians. Pocognoli will be happy with that two-goal cushion, that’s for sure.
Updated at 16.32 EDT
85 min: Atanasov hits the free, after a touch by Elmas. It squirts wide.
Share82 min: Red card for Scotland! (McKenna)
A sliding challenge from the Scot on Elezi – he gets a little bit of the ball – but a lot of the man. It’s a straight red card. It’s being checked by the VAR … and now confirmed.
It’ll be a free-kick in a handy spot for the home side. Elmas is looking interested in hitting it.
Updated at 16.39 EDT
81 min: Little wonder that Goce Sedloski, the home coach, is under intense pressure.
The hosts launch a couple of attacks, and Atanasov bends an effort over the bar from outside the area. He shakes his head.
Goce Sedloski. Photograph: Nikola Krstic/ShutterstockShare
79 min: North Macedonia have offered almost nothing. This is one of the worst displays I’ve seen from an international team in a while.
But, of course, Scotland have been “at it”, and not allowed their opponents to play.
78 min: Spain still lead Czechia 2-1, Switzerland still lead Slovenia 2-1.
Rodri celebrates scoring Spain’s second. Photograph: Amanda McMaster/Action Plus/ShutterstockShare
Updated at 16.28 EDT
75 min: Bowie and Gannon-Doak off. Both were excellent. Robbie Ure and Aaron Hickey on for Scotland.
Updated at 16.21 EDT
73 min: Hats off to McGinn for keeping his cool and tucking that penalty in. After failing to find the net since June (when McGinn’s goal defeated Haiti at the World Cup) Scotland have scored twice in one night. What a rush!
Updated at 16.18 EDT
Goal: Spain 2-1 Czechia (Slama 69)
Who else?
Sorry, I mean, Czechia are back in it over in Oviedo.
Czech Republic’s Jiri Slama (left) celebrates scoring their first goal with Lukas Cerv and Alex Kral. Photograph: Vincent West/ReutersShare
Updated at 16.24 EDT
Goal: 70 min: North Macedonia 0-2 Scotland (McGinn pen)
It’s there!
Scotland’s John McGinn slots home from the penalty spot and give his side a bit of breathing space. Photograph: Andrew Milligan/PACue McGinn’s trademark goggle celebration. Photograph: Andrew Milligan/PAShare
Updated at 16.23 EDT
Penalty to Scotland!
Miovski, of Rangers, is the man who handled Bowie’s effort. He’s not happy. And neither would you be. But the Scotland fans are delighted. McGinn will take …
Referee François Letexier points to the spot to award Scotland a penalty. Photograph: Nikola Krstic/ShutterstockShare
Updated at 16.17 EDT
65 min: And now! A VAR review for a penalty to Scotland … it’s Bowie’s follow-up, that hit a North Macedonian hand.
They are looking at the initial header by McKenna … but that’s a not a foul, it’s just strength and a good jump by McKenna.
Updated at 16.12 EDT
64 min: It’s all Scotland in this second half. They’ve been utterly dominant, overall. But Pocognoli, his players, and indeed the fans badly want that second goal.
63 min: McKenna nearly nods in a corner! It’s off the post, and Bowie tries to follow up, but it looks like there was an initial foul by McKenna with the header.
60 min: Nearly two for Bowie! He is denied by Dimitrievski from point-blank range, after another attack down the right! How is it only 1-0?
Bowie’s in space.Share
Updated at 16.07 EDT
59 min: Gannon-Doak on the charge again down the Scotland right. He tries to cut a cross back but into the danger zone but is crowded out.
Updated at 16.04 EDT
58 min: Robertson, Scotland captain and cap centurion, goes route one, cutting in from the left. His progress is interrupted by the last line of defence.
57 min: Now McGinn curls a shot fractionally wide.
Does this have infuriating 1-1 draw written all over it?
56 min: North Macedonia’s defence continues to be on the beach, and it’s only October. Gannon-Doak is given the freedom of the penalty area to cut in and hit a shot low that is saved by Dimitrievski.
ShareNo penalty! Overruled by a VAR check!
The referee, Francois Letexier, is going to the monitor. Looks like the VAR is not convinced about clear contact. And it’s no penalty! That is bizarre. If it’s not a penalty, surely it’s a booking for simulation?
Updated at 15.59 EDT
Penalty to Scotland!
Gannon-Doak is fouled by Gashtarov as he bursts into the penalty area again! It’s a penalty. It’s being checked by the VAR, but that’s a penalty all day.
Referee! Photograph: Nikola Krstic/ShutterstockShare
Updated at 16.09 EDT
50 min: Gannon-Doak is in on goal! He’s one-on-one! He hits a shot straight at the goalie, and it’s still 1-0! It really, really should be 2-0.
48 min: As it stands, Switzerland top Group E with three wins from three. Slovenia and Scotland both have four points, with a win, a loss and a draw. North Macedonia rock-bottom with three defeats from three. Plenty of football to be played this evening though.
Updated at 15.54 EDT
46 min: Elmas fouls Ferguson again, and they share a little joke. Then Elmas fouls Welsh. They don’t share a little joke.
ShareSecond half kick-off
McBurnie off, Ryan Christie on for Scotland.
Spain 2-0 Czechia
Switzerland 2-1 Slovenia
… are the other scores on the doors at half-time.
Updated at 15.38 EDT
Half-time reading:
Updated at 15.37 EDT
Half-time: North Macedonia 0-1 Scotland
Scotland have been excellent, but to be hyper-critical, they should have scored more.
Scottish fans will hope the floodgates will open after half-time.
45 min + 3: Gilmour shows some silky skills on the edge of a packed penalty area. He makes a darting run, but North Macedonia hold their shape and hold firm.
Updated at 15.35 EDT
45 min: We’ll have three minutes of stoppage time, minimum.
Mladenovski is booked for pulling back McBurnie.
Updated at 15.33 EDT
44 min: Djekov is booked for a cynical block on Welsh, who’d touched the ball beyond him and was about to run free. No complaints.
42 min: Elmas fouls Ferguson around halfway. A soft one, and you could say good game management from Scotland, edging their way to half-time with this handy 1-0 lead. They need another goal or two, though.
ShareGoal: Switzerland 2-1 Slovenia (Ndoye 38)
The Nottingham Forest forward is on target for the Swiss, and they lead in Lucerne, despite falling behind early doors.
Grrr-eat news for Switzerland. Dan Ndoye (right) has put them ahead. Photograph: Romina Amato/ReutersShare
Updated at 15.33 EDT
Goal: Spain 2-0 Czechia (Rodri 35)
The former Manchester City legend doubles Spain’s lead.
Rodri fires home to double Spain’s lead over Czechia. Photograph: Petr David Josek/APThen celebrates with teammates. Photograph: Vincent West/ReutersShare
Updated at 15.36 EDT
34 min: “After the Clarke era, Pocognoli has not been afraid to make changes, but was under pressure already to get a result,” emails Simon McMahon.
“Bowie up front has been our star man tonight, and Robertson and McGinn are still heroes. Let’s dance!”
Yes, fair play, thanks for doing that Simon.
Bowie. Photograph: Vision Films/APShare
33 min: Gannon-Doak hits a cracking shot from distance. Dimitrievski makes a smart save, plucking the swerving, powerful effort out of the air and gathering it cleanly.
Updated at 15.54 EDT
30 min: Two changes for North Macedonia, half an hour in. Sedloski has seen enough. Stankovski and Herrera are hooked, Djekov and Atanasov are on.
Updated at 15.23 EDT
29 min: A super challenge by Scott McKenna stops a dangerous attack by North Macedonia in its tracks.
Suddenly, at the other end, Bowie touches the ball past the goalie, and only had a defender to beat with his shot, but he hits it straight at him!
28 min: Scotland are all over them. Bowie does brilliantly to cut a ball back from the byline. But Gannon-Doak hits it wildly over the bar from around the penalty spot.
Doh(ak)! Photograph: Boris Grdanoski/APShare
Updated at 15.55 EDT