Lyndon Dykes penalty earns Scotland priceless away victory over Austria
The perfect night for Scotland. Tense, exhausting yet perfect. Victorious in Vienna thanks to Lyndon Dykes’ second winning goal in two games, Steve Clarke’s side seized control of their destiny in Group F with a memorable triumph over Austria. Israel’s resounding defeat at runaway leaders Denmark provided extra gloss.
Scotland defended superbly throughout, attacked with menace, worked tirelessly and profited from a VAR decision to award the penalty that Dykes just about converted. The reward was not simply three points, but momentum at a critical stage in the campaign and second place in the group, with closest rivals Israel due at Hampden Park next month. What an occasion that promises to be.
“Some people in the country may not believe in these players but I do,” said the Scotland manager, clearly peeved by the criticism that followed last week’s loss in Copenhagen. “I love them. I trust them everywhere we go.
We are a good team, we are growing together and we are looking forward to having the Tartan Army behind us for the next game. That is a cup final. This was a cup final too.”
As it was for Austria and their manager Franco Foda, who started the night under pressure following an emphatic 5-2 defeat in Israel on Saturday and ended it with David Alaba and Marko Arnautovic trying to placate furious supporters in the stands. Scotland cared not a jot.
Austria made a vibrant start but Scotland responded with resolute, welldrilled defending – with Kieran Tierney to the fore in the opening exchanges – and created the first real chance of the contest. John McGinn, released to the byline by Andy Robertson, floated an inviting cross for Dykes to test the goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann with a towering header.
Sharp, incisive passing from Scotland saw them open up Austria’s left flank frequently but the final ball from the recalled Stephen O’Donnell was often astray. Che Adams, forming an effective and industrious partnership with Dykes, was harshly booked for turning in to the theatrical Florian Grillitsch.
His next encounter with the Bulgarian referee Georgi Kabakov was far more beneficial, however. The Southampton striker appeared to stum