2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifier

Lithuania 0-3 Scotland

Friday, 1 September 2017, kick-off 7.45pm (UK time)

LFF Stadium, Vilnius

Scotland: Armstrong (24), Robertson (30), McArthur (72)

Scotland’s World Cup qualification rejuvenation continued in Vilnius with a comfortable 3-0 win over Lithuania.

In front of 3,000 Scotland fans, Gordon Strachan’s side were buoyant from the outset with a Stuart Armstrong header starting his side off on the front foot.

A wonderfully curled shot from Andy Robertson made it two before McArthur rounded off a straightforward Scotland victory ahead of Malta’s visit to Hampden on Monday.

The result leaves Scotland four points off second placed Slovakia who scored a late goal against Slovenia to run away as 1-0 winners.

Scotland made two changes from the side that drew against England with Matt Phillips replacing Snodgrass and James McArthur coming in for Ikechi Anya.

Six Celtic players were included in the squad with two of them close to giving the Scotland the lead.

Leigh Griffiths saw a shot whistle by the post after just seven minutes before club teammate, Stuart Armstrong also saw a long range drive go close.

On his fifth appearance for his country, Matt Phillips started on the left wing and he too was close to scoring when he drove into the box but didn’t hit the target with his shot.

At the other end, former Hearts winger Arvydas Novikovas wrong footed Christophe Berra in the box and dragged his shot wide from a promising position.

With 20 minutes on the clock, he nearly scored from a free-kick but Gordon was equal to it.

On his third appearance for his country, Stuart Armstrong grabbed the first goal with a header at the back post from a corner.

Scotland looked at ease in their surroundings in their first game on an artificial pitch and they made it two when Andy Robertson capped off a dream month.

After settling into life at Liverpool and recently becoming a Dad to baby Rocco, the left back curled the ball expertly into the net from the edge of the box after half an hour.

At the break, Scotland led 2-0.

The second period was less lively but Scotland showed composure to continue to dominate proceedings and see the game out. 

Although chances at goal were limited in the second 45, Scotland clocked a third on 72 minutes when James McArthur scored his second goal against Lithuania in as many games when he fired home from close range following a Griffiths assist.

The result gives Scotland the boost required ahead of Monday’s vital match against Malta exactly a year on from the 5-1 win in Ta'qali Stadium.

Tickets are still available for the match at Hampden

Lithuania | Setkus, Vaitkunas, Kijanskas, Freidgeimas, Borovskij, Zulpa (Spalvis, 68), Kuklys, Cernych (C) (Verbickas, 79), Slivka, Novikas, Sernas (Matulevicius, 82)

Unused substitutes: Zubas, Cerniauskas, Klimavicius, Grigaravicius, Silenas, Girdvainis, Beneta, Vorobjavas

Scotland | Gordon, Tierney, Robertson, Berra, Mulgrew, Brown (C), McArthur, Armstrong (McGinn, 84), Forrest (Ritchie, 65), Phillips, Griffiths (C Martin, 79)

Unused substitutes: Archer, McGregor, Anya, Hanley, Whittaker, Bannan, Fraser, Morrison, Naismith

Caution: Charlie Mulgrew (66)

Attendance: 5,000