UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualifier
FYR Macedonia 2-0 Scotland
Tuesday, 11 October 2017, KO 6.45pm (local time)
Philip II Arena, Skopje

FYR Macedonia inflicted a 2-0 defeat on Scotland to seal their place at next summer’s UEFA European Under-21 Championship Finals in Poland.

Their win, coupled with Iceland 4-2 defeat to Ukraine, secured first place in Group 3, ahead of France who finished second.

With Scotland out of the running in the group, new Scotland Under-21 coach Scot Gemmill once again named a team featuring players that can play in the 2019 qualifying campaign which begins next September.

Celtic midfielder Liam Henderson captained the team for the first time whilst Reading defender Jake Sheppard made his under-21 debut at right back, replacing the suspended Jordan McGhee.

There were also first starts for 17-year-old Rangers midfielder Liam Burt and Dundee forward Craig Wighton.

Macedonia knew they required three points to have any chance of automatic qualification and a 20,000-strong crowd attended the Philip II Arena to cheer them on.

The highly-motivated home side started the match strongly in the opening exchanges and were rewarded for their efforts on 18 minutes.

Ryan Fulton saved from a long-range shot but Markoski was on hand to knock the ball home and give Macedonia an early lead.

Just four minutes later, it was 2-0 as Bardi’s low shot flew past Fulton and into the corner of the net.

Ryan Hardie went close to pulling one back on 26 minutes later but his shot across goal was well saved by the Macedonian goalkeeper.

Macedonia were awarded a penalty on 37 minutes when Oliver McBurnie was judged to have handled in the box but Fulton made a brilliant stop, diving low to his right to keep the score at 2-0.

Fulton made another fine save shortly, tipping a shot wide of the post, as Macedonia tried pressed for a third.

Scotland tried to get themselves back into the match and Burt went close after creating a good chance with a neat piece of skill on the edge of the box but his shot from a narrow angle couldn’t find a way past the goalkeeper.

Despite a late push from Scotland, Macedonia held out for the win which ensured they qualified for their first ever UEFA European Under-21 Championship Finals.

SCOTLAND | Fulton (GK), Sheppard (Ross McCrorie 58), Cameron, Iacovitti, Jules, Henderson (Cpt.), Burt, Jones (Sammut 88), Wighton, McBurnie, Hardie (MacDonald 81).

Subs not used: Hurst (GK), Docherty, Storie, Nesbitt.