Armenia v Scotland Match Report

Steve Clarke’s Scotland travelled to Yerevan on Tuesday to take on Armenia in a high-pressure match. 

The strain that was on the national team was a result of the poor results that were attained in recent times. 

Saturday’s humiliating defeat to Ireland certainly raised concerns among the Tartan Army had the previous loss to Ukraine and underwhelming Euro 2020 campaign not already done so. 

In spite of the negativity surrounding Scotland, the players managed to rally and pick up a confidence boosting victory despite an early setback. 

Team News 

From the team that lost to Ireland, Steve Clarke made 4 changes. 

The injured Scott McKenna, Andy Robertson and John Souttar did not travel to Armenia and were replaced by Greg Taylor, Billy Gilmour and Nathan Patterson as Scott McTominay dropped back into defence. Stuart Armstrong also came in for his ex Celtic teammate Ryan Christie in midfield. 

For Armenia, there were 5 alterations from the side that was comfortably beaten by Ukraine. 2 of them came at the back as Hovhannes Hambardzumyan and Varazdat Haroyan took the starting berths of Styopa Mkrtchyan and Taron Voskanyan. 

Artak Grigoryan replaced Solomon Udo in the engine room with the other 2 changes seeing Krasnodar man Eduard Spetsyan and promising striker Vahan Bichakhchyan come in for Jordy Ararat and Edgar Babayan. 

The Match

Scotland couldn’t have asked for a worse start in Yerevan as Tigran Barseghyan showed great pace and power to get past Grant Hanley on the right wing. 

He drove in towards goal and found Vahan Bichakhchyan who could do no more than net from a few yards out. 

It was an awful first few minutes for the visitors but after going behind, Scotland begun to get hold of the ball yet couldn’t seem to string some passes together. 

Nonetheless, they were able to get themselves level on the 14th minute. Jack Hendry’s inswinging cross was missed by Che Adams who attempted an overhead kick, the ball then broke for Stuart Armstrong in the box who finished with great composure to score his third Scotland goal and first since 2019. 

After drawing level Scotland would be the receivers of some Armenian pressure, though. An offside goal, vital last-ditch Jack Hendry tackle and comfortable Craig Gordon save all provided stark warnings for Steve Clarke’s men. 

There were no clear cut chances for either side following this with a couple of Che Adams shots from range being the most notable opportunities. 

Scotland continued to look vulnerable at the back and particularly on the break as the first half wore on but the match turned in their favour just before the break with a series of incidents. 

Firstly, Armenia were reduced to 10 men moments from the half as Arman Hovhannidyan was given an initial booking for a bad tackle on Nathan Patterson and then a second yellow for what looked to be a head-but on John McGinn who complained about his challenge. This was a huge boost for Scotland towards end of first 45. 

The Scots would then take advantage of their extra man moments after they gained numerical supremacy. 

Good Scotland build up play eventually got the ball to Stuart Armstrong in the box, the midfielder showed tremendous footwork to get by his man and wonderfully finish into the bottom right corner - a goal of optimum quality from the midfielder which put his country 2-1 up going into the break. 

At half time, there were no changes for Scotland and 1 for Armenia. The hosts replaced Artak Grigoryan with Styopa Mkrtchyan. 

If the first half begun in the worst possible fashion for Scotland, the second period started in the completely opposite way as just 5 minutes into it, Scotland doubled their lead. 

A deep Greg Taylor cross was knocked down for captain for the night John McGinn first time by Nathan Patterson. McGinn controlled expertly and sweeped home on the turn. 

Scotland struck once more 3 minutes later, this time scoring through a fast break. Armenia committed several bodies forward, leaving themselves vulnerable at the back. 

This susceptibility was taken full advantage of by the impressive Stuart Armstrong who played Southampton teammate Che Adams in behind. The striker dribbled towards goal, cut inside on his man and clinically finished into the far corner. 

After gaining a 3 goal advantage, Scotland knew the match was all but won. Steve Clarke then elected to make a triple change with just under half an hour to go, bringing on Anthony Ralston, Lewis Ferguson and David Turnbull for Nathan Patterson, Billy Gilmour and John McGinn respectively. 

Scotland would’ve undoubtedly been hungry for more goals going into the closing stages with Che Adams having an effort palmed away. 

Jacob Brown and Allan Campbell were given run outs in the dying embers with the latter earning his first Scotland cap. 

Craig Gordon had to make a few saves, though, to preserve Scotland’s advantage but the game would eventually peter out with a low tempo to it. 

This didn’t stop tempers from flaring once more however as Armenia went down to 9 in the last minute of regulation time. Substitute Kamo Hovhannisyan was sent off for a forceful lunge and resultant altercation with Scott McTominay. 

The final whistle then blew a few minutes later as Scotland away with 3 vital Nations League points which puts them in good stead ahead of September. 

Man of the Match - Stuart Armstrong

The 30 year old midfielder disclosed his sheer class to all in tonight’s match. 

Armstrong bagged a brace along with an assist as he proved to be a driving force in Scotland’s midfield which has been missed in recent times. 

He was able to double his goal tally for his country in a game where nothing but a win was required. 

Rounding Off

Overall, Scotland were deserved of their win this evening. 

After a ropey start, the Scots got themselves back into the game, scoring twice in the first half courtesy of Stuart Armstrong who was excellent on the night. 

An Armenia red card late in the opening period was a lamentable boost and at the beginning of the second 45, a quick fire double from John McGinn and Che Adams all but sealed the win for the visitors. 

Thank you for reading. If you have any thoughts or opinions, leave a comment below. You can also get in touch with me on Twitter @Joshmcc_05 for more Scottish football content.