Scotland achieved their fifth win from six internationals with a 1-0 reverse over Poland in Warsaw on Wednesday night.
Poland shaded the first half with Ludovic Obraniak coming closest as he tested David Marshall with a shot from outside the box, but the effort was tipped wide.
The hosts had another few chances after the break, but in the end it was Scotland who took the win as Scott Brown lashed in after a cross was only partially cleared.
Read how the action unfolded below.
Good evening all! We have midweek international action for you this evening, with players from up and down Europe zipping off to play friendlies in the midst of the action that is hotting up at club level. All sides in the United Kingdom - as well as Republic of Ireland - are in action tonight. Here we have Scotland's trip to Poland.
Before we go any further, let's take a look at the team news shall we? Have there been any surprises?
POLAND XI: Szczesny; Piszczek, Glik, Szukala, Brzyski; Krychowiak, Sobota, Klich, Peszko, Obraniak; Milik
SCOTLAND XI: Marshall; Hutton, Mulgrew, Martin, Greer; Bannan, Morrison, Brown; Fletcher, McCormack, Anya
So with Robert Lewandowski ruled out of this one through injury, it's Arkadiusz Milik who starts up front for Poland. With Jakub Blaszczykowski ruled out for the rest of the season already, it leaves just Lukasz Piszczek of the three Borussia Dortmund representatives in tonight's lineup. Milik also plays in the Bundesliga, on loan at Augsburg.
For Scotland it's a typically attacking Strachan lineup. Steven Fletcher leads the line, despite calls for him to be rested having not long returned from injury, with Ross McCormack playing just off him. With Ikechi Anya and James Morrison also in the side there is plenty of threat that Poland have to deal with.
Scotland have played well since Strachan was appointed manager and although that form essentially happened after qualification for the World Cup was no longer possible, the future is looking a bit better for them. Of course, they can't have been handed a much harder group to get into Euro 2016 - they have tonight's opponents as well as Germany and Ireland.
Recent history between these two teams does not favour Strachan's men. In the last seven meetings between the two teams Scotland have won just once. That said, they haven't met since 2001, when the teams drew 1-1. A lot has changed in 13 years, although you would fancy Poland to win tonight.
A look at the odds suggests that Poland are expected to win, but Scotland are far from rank outsiders. You can back Poland at just short of evens, while a Scotland win would get you a return of 7/2. The draw, at 12/5 might be worth a punt.
PREDICTION: But what do I think? I do like the look of that draw. Scotland have enough talent to cause a threat, but I don't see them winning. Poland's side isn't as strong as it might be, so I'm going for 1-1 tonight.
KICKOFF: We're underway here in Warsaw then. Plenty of supporters watching, so this should be a good one.
It's an even start to this one, although Scotland have had as much of the ball as their opponents so far. Brown is already looking to get stuck in - he's able to unsettle Poland with a good game today.
Plenty of movement in the midfield for Scotland early on - they've started very brightly. Anya has started on the left and at the moment it's Fletcher dropping into the midfield more than McCormack. A proper little and large partnership, those two are.
No chances as yet, and neither keeper has had anything to do - and that includes crosses. Scotland are looking to use the width wherever possible, but Poland are keeping things tight off the ball.
SAVE! Now there has been a save. Obraniak picked up the ball and looked to clip it round the keeper on his left foot but Marshall - who is big - managed to get there and tip it over. Good effort that.
Poland have very much got on top of this at the moment. That said, as Piszczek had the chance to break his pass to Obraniak was poor and went out of play for a throw.
Anya has switched over to the right now and he was almost played in by McCormack, but there was a brilliant interception by Brzyski to win it back for Poland.
Milik is working really hard, but he hasn't seen a lot of the ball so far. He does earn a corner for his side, but Fletcher back defending is able to get it clear. It has been a fairly even 20 minutes, but Poland have shaded it.
Poland started the game without pressing Scotland too much, but since they have changed that the visitors have really struggled to get out of their half.
McCormack is trying to get involved with everything when Scotland do have the ball, but he has not been in it much in the past 10 or so minutes. There has still been just the one genuine shot on goal so far - it can certainly improve...
SAVE! Marshall is tested again. Milik shoots from the edge of the box and it takes a slight touch before the keeper gets down to push it around the post. He's had two saves to make and has been equal to things so far.
CHANCE! Thunderous effort from Piszczek as he ran on to the ball from a weak clearance. He got the power on it from the edge of the box but it went over the bar - he might think he could have done better.
Poland probably should be winning by now, but they do continue to look threatening as they attack with pace. Scotland have not been in this in an attacking sense since about the 15th minute.
There's no doubt that this one is a friendly - the game doesn't have much of an edge, which would help. Anya does well in his own half to beat two men and win a free kick.
BOOKINGS: Double yellow card there for Peszko and Brown. The two went in for a challenge and then squared up. Nothing more than that, though, and that's a good decision.
Obraniak swings in a free kick, which is partially cleared as far as Piszczek. The Dortmund man fires in a volley but it goes a long way over the bar. I don't think we'll have a goal before half time.
Late chance for Scotland there. There's a neat one two on the edge of the box but Szczesny is up to push it wide as Alan Hutton attempted a cross-shot from a tight angle.
HALF-TIME: Poland 0-0 Scotland
So it's half time in a game that hasn't seen much in the way of chances, but Poland have certainly been the stronger side. Strachan won't be too disappointed so far.
Scotland were the better team for around 10-15 minutes, although in that time they didn't create much at all. Poland came into the game and twice came close - first Obraniak tried to curl into the far corner but his effort was tipped over, before Marshall then got down to Milik's shot to save.
Aside from Marshall, Scotland's best player so far has probably been Anya. He has been the one who has threatened with his pace, and although McCormack is trying to make things happen he's been closed down well so far.
The closes Scotland game was through Alan Hutton late on. He played a one-two with Brown, but from a tight angle he went for goal rather than crossing and Szczesny was able to push it wide.
Darren Fletcher is on at the break for Morrison, and Steven Naismith is also on it looks - I'll let you know who for in a moment. We're back underway.
Piszczek has hardly been in his own half so far. A cross from the left goes all the way to him at the far post, but the first-time shot goes wide. He's not been great with his shooting today, but has played well.
Most of Poland's shots are coming from range. Again Obraniak has an effort from the edge of the box but drags this one wide of the post.
CHANCE! This half is quite even so far, even if Poland are just about on top of proceedings. Then the biggest chance of the game for Scotland out of nothing. Naismith is played through and his cut back falls for McCormack's right foot, but Piszczek flew in to block.
BOOKING: Hutton now goes into the book for a lunging tackle on Peszko. He completely misses the ball and throws his arms up in the air - but to no avail, correct booking.
CHANCE! Oh dear, that is a miss! Glik is left totally unmarked from the free kick but heads the ball down and wide. He has to hit the target there!
That Glik effort was definitely the best chance of the game so far. This half is more open than the first - there's definitely enough to suggest that there is at least a goal in this one.
CHANCE! A chance there for Milik as the ball comes in. He takes it down but as it ran away from him his toe-poke went over the bar.
SCOTLAND SUBS: Phil Bardsley comes on for Hutton, while youngster Andrew Robertson is on to make his debut for Bannan.
Although Scotland have not looked too likely to score this evening, they have played pretty well at the back. Poland have been in once or twice, but these are solid foundations on which to build.
The atmosphere is not as lively as it was in the first half, but there is still a lot of encouragement from the home fans as their team come forward. Even though the Scots have not had many chances, they could very easily nick this as time goes on.
POLAND SUBS: The best player on the pitch Obraniak makes way for Marcin Robak. A well-deserved rest for the number 10. Also Eugen Polanski is on for Peszko.
There's no real urgency for either team to score. It's been the killer pass in the final third that has been lacking. Off comes McCormack for Charlie Adam. The Leeds man has ran hard, but hasn't been involved enough where he would like.
GOAL! Poland 0-1 Scotland (Scott Brown)
What did I say?! Anya's cross is partially cleared to the edge of the box, but only as far as Brown who lashes a strike into the net - Szczesny didn't move! That might have ripped the net it had so much power.
Poland haven't upped the tempo any more since the goal. They make another change in order to change matters, with Klich off for Teodorczyk.
Poland are controlling the possession in the last few minutes, but Scotland are certainly going to try to hang on to this. There's a bank of five then a bank of four for the hosts to get through and so far they aren't doing it.
Marshall comes to claim a deep cross but doesn't gather going up with Teodorczyk. To be honest, there wasn't much in that and the goalkeeper just got a bit of protection from the referee.
Late change for Poland as both Maslowski and Jodlowiec are on for Sobota and Krychowiak.
It's looking very likely that Scotland will be able to hold on to this. They have been disciplined and hard to break down, but there's no doubt that this is a smash-and-grab should they hold on.
We've had the first of three minutes added on. Still time for more subs. Brzyski is off for Kowalczyk and Chris Burke comes on for Anya.
Marshall gathers a corner from under his own bar and he'll hold on to this one. Scotland have a win here barring a disaster.
FULL-TIME: Poland 0-1 Scotland
Just the second win for Scotland against Poland and this is a very big victory. They were disciplined and strong and in the end nicked the win. That's five from six now as the momentum continues!
Thanks for joining me here. Please do stick around on site for reports and reaction from tonight's football. Until next time, goodbye.
Written by
Matt Domm
Matt Domm
