World Cup Qualifying: Chris Martin Nets Late Winner Against Slovenia To Keep Scotland’s Slim Hopes Alive (Video)

Alan Duffy

26th, March 2017

Manager Gordon Strachan described Scotland’s World Cup qualifier against Slovenia on Sunday as a must-win game and his side duly obliged, albeit courtesy of a late winner.

After their embarrassing draw with Canada on Wednesday, Scotland were in need of a good performance against Slovenia and in the first-half, they produced a fine attacking display, with Russell Martin, among others, going close against an opposition who rarely threatened the Scottish goal.

Just before the break, the Scots had a gilt-edged chance to opening the scoring, only for Leigh Griffiths to smash a shot against the crossbar from point-blank range.

After the break, Scotland continued to dominate but the chances started to dry up.

Then, on 88 minutes, the breakthrough finally came, with sub Chris Martin firing home after good work from Stuart Armstrong.

That goal sealed a deserved and crucial win for the Scots, who now find themselves in fourth place in Group F, two points behind Slovenia in second and still just about in the hunt for a place in Russia 2018.

Didn’t stop the home crowd from booing Martin though.

After the game, Griffiths, guilty of that appalling first-half miss, even thanked Martin on Twitter for sparing his blushes.

Scotland next face England in June on home soil in what should be a cracking game.

Posted in International football, Videos, World Cup

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