Football news - Scotland rout Albania to set up Israel decider

Scotland set up a Nations League decider against Israel by dismantling 10-man Albania 4-0 on a night where anything less than three points would have been unacceptable.

Injuries decimated Scotland’s squad before the must-win match, with nine players pulling out for the trip to Shkoder, but Alex McLeish’s side pulled off a comprehensive victory to ease the pressure on their under-fire manager and keep hopes of making Euro 2020 alive.

It took just 14 minutes for the Dark Blues to find the lead, with Ryan Fraser bending a right-footed finish into the far corner of the net. This was compounded by the sending off of Albania captain Mergim Mavraj, who was shown two yellows in a matter of seconds for a late tackle and a headbutt.

From that moment on, Scotland were utterly dominant, adding a second just before the break as Steven Fletcher converted from the spot. James Forrest got in behind to score Scotland’s third before the Celtic winger smashed home a volley to secure the points and a 4-0 win for the visitors. Beat Israel on Tuesday and Scotland will win promotion from their group.

The pressure was on Scotland tonight after disappointing recent performances and results, but around an attacking core of Ryan Christie, Forrest and Fraser they pulled Albania to pieces. These three players will surely start the crucial game against Israel next week on the back of this, so will this game act as a model for McLeish to build upon going forward?

The Man of the Match award could have shared by three players, with Christie, Forrest and Fraser all exceptional for Scotland in Shkoder. However, with his brace Forrest just about edged it. The 27-year-old has been in scintillating form for Scotland of late and carried that into this game, tearing Albania to shreds along with Christie and Fraser. The hosts just couldn’t deal with the trio, who played off Steven Fletcher to great effect.

Albania - Berisha 5, Veseli 5, Xhimshiti 5, Grezda 7, Memushaj 5, Manaj 4, Xhaka 5, Mavraj 3, Binaku 5, Kace 5, Uzuni 5. Subs - Dermaku 5, Balaj 5, Ismajli 5.

Scotland - McGregor 6, Paterson 5, Robertson 7, Bates 7, McKenna 6, McGregor 7, Armstrong 7, Forrest 9, Christie 8, Fraser 9, Fletcher 6. Subs - Russell 5, McTominay 6, Phillips 5.

14’ GOAL! Albania 0-1 Scotland: Such a huge goal for Scotland and it's Fraser who has grabbed it! What a cool finish from the Bournemouth man. He burst into the Albania box after Christie won the ball high up the pitch and finds the far corner of the net with a curling right-footed effort.

23’ SENT OFF! Well, after much confusion Mavraj has now exited the pitch after being shown a second yellow card and Albania are now down to 10 men. Bad to worse for the hosts.

45’ PENALTY KICK TO SCOTLAND! Armstrong's freekick hits the wall and the referee spots a handball.

46’ GOAL! Albania 0-2 Scotland: It's Fletcher who steps up to the penalty spot and sends Berisha in the Albania goal the wrong way with a confident conversion, finding the right-hand corner of the net. Scotland are two goals to the good at the interval!

5’ GOAL! Albania 0-3 Scotland: It's three for Scotland! That is surely the win, and the points, in the bag for the Dark Blues! Forrest has the pace to get in behind following a pass from Christie and the Celtic winger squeezes the shot past Berisha and into the net!

64’ GOOOOOOOOOO... NO! Scotland think they have scored a fourth, with Forrest bending an outside of the boot finish into the back of the net. But Bates, who got a touch to it, was offside.

67’ GOAL! Albania 0-4 Scotland: What a goal! Sensational from Scotland. They are four goals up! Fraser's cut back finds Forrest, the dinked touch sets him up for the volley and the Celtic winger smashes the shot into the back of the net. That's the pick of the bunch.

79’ McTominay should score! That should have been a fifth goal for Scotland. The cut back found McTominay, via a dummy from Christie, but his shot clips the top of the crossbar.

Ryan Fraser has been directly involved in 12 goals in 16 appearances for Bournemouth and Scotland so far this season (five goals and seven assists).

James Forrest now has nine goals in his last seven appearances for both club and country.