Scotland earned its first three points in the European Nations League this season, and also achieved its first victory under the leadership of its new coach, Sebastian Bocconioli, after defeating North Macedonia 2-0.
Kieron Bowie gave Scotland a seventh-minute lead in Skopje before John McGinn scored a penalty 20 minutes from time to secure a morale-boosting win for the Tartan Army.
But they had to play out the final few minutes of the game down to ten men after Scott McKenna received a red for a challenge on Eljev Elmas.
However, it was a dominant display from Scotland on the occasion of captain Andy Robertson’s 100th cap.
The result left Scotland in third place in the standings, equal on points with second-placed Slovenia, which lost 2-1 to Switzerland.
The Swiss team maintained their perfect start to the group thanks to an own goal from Eric Janza and Dan Ndoye. Zane Vibotnik had given Slovenia the lead in the first two minutes of the match.
Finland maintained its unbeaten start
In other matches, England achieved a landslide victory over Croatia, while world champion Spain continued its wonderful unbeaten run against the Czechs.
Finland maintained their strong start to the UEFA Nations League this season with a 2-1 win over Albania.
Rai Manaj gave Albania the early lead before Etrit Berisha was given his marching orders midway through the first half.
The numerical advantage proved pivotal as Finland hit back thanks to a brace from Leo Walta to give Jakob Vries’ men all three points.
The team is currently at the top of its group with seven points from three matches.
Meanwhile, Iceland saw off the challenge of Bulgaria with a 3-0 win. Uri Oscarsson scored two goals and Mikael Ellertsson added the third goal in stoppage time.
Belarus beat San Marino 4-0 thanks to goals from Artem Kuntsevoy (2), Artem Shumansky and Max Ebong, while Estonia beat Luxembourg thanks to Rasmus Betsson, who scored the only goal of the match after five minutes.
