Andrew Robertson excels as Scotland revive World Cup hopes

Scotland have kept their World Cup hopes alive after a 3-0 win over Lithuania.

Stuart Armstrong opened the scoring before an Andrew Robertson wonder-strike doubled the lead before half time. James McArthur added a third in the second half to top off an excellent Scotland performance.

Scotland could have taken an early lead when Robertson’s cross found Leigh Griffiths but the striker’s first-time shot went just wide. Ex-Hearts winger Arvydas Novikovas then shot wide after McArthur gave away possession.

The frantic start continued and the ball went straight up the other end but Matt Phillips shot went over the bar and Armstrong directed the ball just past the post.

Craig Gordon was called into action in the 21st minute to tip away a Novikovas free kick before Griffiths put a free kick wide of the target.

Armstrong broke the deadlock after 24 minutes when he rose highest to head in a Griffiths corner kick.

Robertson doubled the lead just six minutes and what a goal it was. The left back left the Lithuania defence stunned when he curled the ball into the top corner from the edge of the area.

Griffiths came close to a third after the break when he hit the side netting and Armstrong’s shot went over the bar as Scotland’s dominance continued.

Scotland did get a third in the 72nd minute when the Lithuania defence failed to deal with a cross and McArthur finished from close range.

The result sees Scotland remain four points behind the play-off place with three games remaining after Slovakia defeated Slovenia 1-0.

Flag of Scotland by Christoph Strassler used under license by CC BY-SA 2.0.