Scots still in the hunt for play-off spot
SCOTLAND kept their hopes of second place in Group F alive with deserved victory in Lithuania.
First-half goals from Stuart Armstrong and Andy Robertson set Gordon Strachan’s men on their way in Vilnius.
Celtic midfielder Armstrong headed in a Leigh Griffiths corner in the 25th minute for his first goal in dark blue. Five minutes later defender Robertson, below, curled the ball in from the edge of the box to send the Tartan Army into further raptures.
After a minute’s silence before kick-off as tribute to Lithuania press officer Vaiva Zizaite, who died recently, the Scots slowly set about their task on the artificial surface which had been heavily watered beforehand.
In the sixth minute left-back Robertson drove forward to set up Griffiths and he took one touch before firing just wide from the edge of the box and then Armstrong curled a Kieran Tierney pass past the far post.
However, moments later midfielder James McArthur lost possession and former Hearts attacker Arvydas Novikovas was given an opportunity as he turned inside defender Christophe Berra before missing the target from 12 yards with his rightfooted drive.
Scotland responded and Matt Phillips did the hard work to get into the Lithuanian penalty area before blasting over and Armstrong had another attempt from distance which flew wide.
In the 21st minute Scotland keeper Craig Gordon stretched to tip a 25-yard free-kick from Novikovas over
LITHUANIA
the bar. At the other end seconds later Griffiths came close with a curling free-kick from a similar distance.
Moments after that came joy when the Hoops striker sent a corner to the back post and Parkhead teammate Armstrong sent a bullet header past Lithuania keeper Ernestas Setkus.
It was the breakthrough the visitors desperately wanted and they doubled their lead on the half-hour mark when Robertson took a pass from James Forrest and, from the edge of the box he curled a left-footed shot high beyond the reach of the flailing Setkus. Some slack play from Scotland towards the end of the first half offered some hope to the home side.
The interval allowed the Scots to settle and they looked more composed after the restart.
A terrific delivery from the tireless Robertson in the 52nd minute found Griffiths at the back post, but he could only return the ball with his right foot into the side netting.
Scotland looked to have tightened up in defence, but on the hour mark the home side were presented with another opportunity, only for Vykintas Slivka to fire wide from 10 yards.
McArthur made the win safe when he slotted the ball home from close range to make it 3-0 in the 72nd minute following more good work by Griffiths.
Elsewhere in the group, Adam Nemec scored as Slovakia beat Slovenia 1-0.