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RICE’S STUNNING FREEKICK DOUBLE FIRES ARSENAL TO 3-0 WIN OVER REAL MADRID.

Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice’s two fantastic free kicks and a striker’s finish from Mikel Merino secured a 3-0 victory over shocked holders Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final at The Emirates Stadium on Tuesday.

The hosts had the better of the first half as Real began slowly, with Eduardo Camavinga almost conceding a calamitous own goal when he blocked Antonio Rudiger’s clearance before Thomas Partey shot straight at goalkeeper Thibault Courtois.

Real, bidding for a record-extending 16th title in the competition, grew into the contest and threatened on the break, though their few opportunities came from Arsenal errors and the visitors looked disjointed throughout the contest.

Courtois was by far the busier keeper and produced a stunning double save, the first from a powerful Rice header, on the stroke of halftime.

There was no stopping Rice’s opener, though, a fierce curling shot around the wall and beyond Courtois in the 58th minute for his first senior goal from a direct free kick.

“It’s been in the locker, but I’ve hit the wall too many times or it’s gone over the bar. Originally I was going to cross it and then I’ve just have seen the wall with the goalkeeper’s position. I thought … just go for it,” Rice said.

Arsenal could have been 2-0 up shortly after but for more heroics from Courtois, who produced a diving stop from Gabriel Martinelli followed by another from makeshift striker Merino in between David Alaba’s goal-line block.

Rice’s second free kick was even better than the first, curled straight into the top corner in the 70th minute, to leave the 15-times European champions looking stunned.

Merino then coolly fired Myles Lewis-Skelly’s pull-back into the bottom corner 15 minutes from time, following a pass from substitute Leandro Trossard, to give Arsenal a sizeable lead to take to Madrid next week.

The winners of the tie will face either Aston Villa or Paris St Germain, who meet on Wednesday, in the semi-finals.

‘BRILLIANT GAME’

“We’ve had a brilliant game, we had a lot of motivation, that’s why we won,” Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said. “We have a game next week in the Bernabeu, we have to demonstrate we can do that again next week.”

Real will have to try and overhaul Arsenal’s lead without Camavinga, who was shown a second yellow card in the closing seconds for kicking the ball away.

The visitors did have some half-chances, most notably through Kylian Mbappe who scuffed his shot at the end of a fast break with the score at 0-0 in the first half.

But Real were unconvincing in attack and have now conceded 11 goals in their last four games in all competitions, while Arsenal have not lost a European tie when scoring three goals in the first leg.

Unused substitute Lucas Vazquez conceded Real were nowhere near their best but nonetheless, given his side’s European pedigree, warned Arsenal his team were far from finished.

“The tie is complicated, but if there’s one team in the world that can turn it around, it’s us, in our stadium and with our fans,” he told Movistar Plus.

Real will hope to take heart from the 1975-76 European Cup when they lost 4-1 away to Derby County in the first leg of the second round but won the return 5-1 at home.

REUTERS

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NEWCASTLE BOOST CHAMPIONS LEAGUE BID AS LEICESTER MOVE STEP CLOSER TO RELEGATION

Newcastle blew Leicester away with three first-half goals to inflict a miserable 3-0 defeat on the Foxes who moved a step closer to suffering relegation from the Premier League.

The Magpies flexed their muscles in front of Sky Bet Championship-bound Leicester in a ruthless start to boost their hopes of returning to the Champions League by moving level on points with fourth-placed Chelsea.

Jacob Murphy set the tone for the evening when he tapped in with 113 seconds on the clock and he grabbed his brace when he knocked in the rebound after Fabian Schar struck the crossbar from inside his own half.

Many of the Leicester fans who decided to turn up seemingly headed early for the exit doors when Harvey Barnes haunted his old club with the third goal on his return to leave Leicester 15 points adrift of safety with seven games to go.

Leicester last scored in front of their own fans against Brighton on December 8 and drawing another blank meant they became the first side in Football League history to lose eight home league games in a row without scoring a goal.

The Foxes forced Nick Pope into action 10 seconds into the contest as Jamie Vardy blasted an effort on goal from a tight angle but the England international was alert enough to tip it round a post.

Leicester went behind to a goal inside two minutes for a second straight game.

The Magpies hardly had to break a sweat as former Leicester man Barnes easily unlocked the frail home defence with a pass in behind and Tino Livramento fizzed it across goal for Murphy, who was waiting to tap home at the far post.

Newcastle doubled their advantage nine minutes later in quite outstanding fashion.

Schar picked the ball up inside his own half and lifted his head to find Mads Hermansen way of his line. He decided to audaciously have a crack which bounced flush off the upright and fell kindly for Murphy to bury his second.

The hosts were trying to demonstrate their attacking ability, this time Bilal El Khannouss sprinting down the left and unleashing an effort which drew a second stop from Pope.

The visitors were in no mood to show mercy and they punished Leicester with a third in the 34th minute.

Joelinton had the freedom of the King Power Stadium as he forced a save from Hermansen but Leicester were unable to stop the follow-up again as Barnes tapped in the rebound.

Leicester were inches away from scoring their first home goal of this calendar year. Patson Daka’s strike had the beating of Pope only to see the ball bounce off one post, hit the other and roll to safety.
The Magpies seemed content with their first-half showing and took their foot off the gas but Schar again tried his luck which Hermansen saved – he was greeted with sarcastic cheers from the dejected home fans.

Leicester were trying to find that elusive first home goal, though, with Wout Faes coming close with a header which was glanced the wrong side of a post to sum up another bleak night for the Foxes.

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ENZO FERNANDEZ HEADER SENDS CHELSEA BACK INTO TOP FOUR AFTER WIN OVER TOTTENHAM

Chelsea climbed back into the Premier League’s top four as Enzo Fernandez’s header early in the second half earned a 1-0 derby win over Tottenham at Stamford Bridge.

Enzo Maresca’s side were under pressure after limping into the international break playing football that had ceased to excite home fans, but they largely had the better of a disappointing Spurs team that failed to take advantage of the growing discontent surrounding the home side.

As when these teams met in north London last season, VAR played a prominent role, ruling out goals from Moises Caicedo and Pape Sarr after half-time, but Chelsea deserved the points as their Champions League challenge got back on track.

They had begun with far greater energy than in recent lacklustre performances. In the first minute Nicolas Jackson on his return to the side was denied one-on-one by goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario then saw Micky van de Ven’s fluffed clearance ricochet off him and against the post, before moments later Malo Gusto rifled Marc Cucurella’s cross into the side-netting.

Destiny Udogie almost then turned Cole Palmer’s cross past his own goalkeeper under pressure from Fernandez as Spurs seemingly improvised their way defensively through the early exchanges.

A concerning sight for Maresca was Caicedo requiring treatment on the pitch for a hamstring issue, particularly so with Romeo Lavia having suffered a setback in his rehabilitation from injury. The head coach need not have worried, as Caicedo recovered to give an outstanding first-half display of power and poise to snuff out Spurs’ limited attacking presence.

There were signs of life at last in the visitors after 37 minutes when Son Heung-min found space in the box and drew a one-handed stop from Robert Sanchez. Levi Colwill then cleared sloppily but James Maddison failed to take advantage and was easily shrugged off the ball.

Jadon Sancho had been lively on the left but was chastised by home fans for failing to shoot when in good positions. He finally gave them their wish late in the first half, striking low at goal from an angle via a deflection off Djed Spence and drawing an excellent flying stop from Vicario.

Spurs had themselves to blame for Chelsea’s winner five minutes into the second half. After Sancho had been given freedom inside the box to pirouette on the ball, assess options and lay it off, Udogie did little but stand and watch as Fernandez drifted across him to meet Palmer’s cross and nod his side in front with the simplest header.

Caicedo then thumped the ball into the bottom corner only to be denied after a hugely protracted VAR check that judged Colwill to have strayed offside by an almost imperceptible margin.

Spurs were then themselves denied by a pitchside review after Sarr had lashed in what looked a stunning equaliser from long range, the Spurs substitute having caught Caicedo on the knee in winning the ball for which he was shown a yellow card.

Sanchez kept out Son for a second time after a Spurs counter in the final minute of the 90, before 12 additional minutes during which Ange Postecoglou’s side failed to put Chelsea under much pressure to challenge their lead.

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ARSENAL’S GABRIEL MAGALHAES RULED OUT FOR REST OF SEASON AS HAMSTRING INJURY NEEDS SURGERY

Arsenal have been dealt a major blow ahead of their Champions League clash against Real Madrid after Gabriel was ruled out for the rest of the season.

The Gunners confirmed the Brazil defender will require surgery on the hamstring injury he sustained in his side’s 2-1 Premier League against Fulham on Tuesday.

Gabriel, who has starred at the heart of Arsenal’s defence in recent seasons, went down in the 16th minute with the injury and was unable to continue.

The north London side host Real Madrid in the opening leg of their quarter-final clash at the Emirates on Tuesday before the return leg eight days later.

Arsenal said in a statement: “Further to being substituted during our match against Fulham on Tuesday, we can confirm that Gabriel Magalhaes has sustained a hamstring injury which requires surgery.

“Gabi will undergo a surgical repair procedure to his hamstring in the coming days, and immediately begin his recovery and rehabilitation programme, with the aim to be ready for the start of next season.

“Everyone at the club will be fully focused on supporting Gabi to ensure he is back to full fitness as soon as possible.”

Arsenal’s Premier League title challenge has been derailed by injuries to pivotal players. Just as manager Mikel Arteta welcomed back Bukayo Saka, he will now be without Gabriel for the last-eight clash against the 15-time European Cup winners.

Gabriel’s season-ending injury leaves Arsenal desperately short on numbers in defence with major doubts over Jurrien Timber, who went down twice holding his right knee against Fulham before being replaced in the second half, and Ben White.

The latter was not even fit enough for the squad on Tuesday. Riccardo Calafiori and Takehiro Tomiyasu are also sidelined.

Gabriel, who has played 49 times for Arsenal and Brazil this season, was replaced by Jakub Kiwior with the Pole making his first appearance in the league since December.

Arteta has been without several influential players this season. Captain Martin Odegaard missed 12 matches with an ankle problem, Saka was sidelined for 101 days after tearing a hamstring and Kai Havertz also suffered a hamstring injury – during Arsenal’s warm-weather training camp in February – which ruled him out for the season.

Gabriel Jesus ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in January and faces a significant period on the sidelines.

The Champions League is Arsenal’s only realistic hope of silverware. Liverpool are 12 points clear in the race for the title with 24 points to play for across the remaining eight fixtures.

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DAVID MOYES: JAMES TARKOWSKI LUCKY NOT TO SEE RED FOR ALEXIS MAC ALLISTER TACKLE

David Moyes believes James Tarkowski was lucky to avoid a red card for his reckless challenge on Alexis Mac Allister as Everton were beaten 1-0 by Liverpool on a controversial night at Anfield.

Diogo Jota’s 57th-minute goal, which Moyes claimed should have been ruled out for offside, gave Liverpool a 100th derby win and moved them a step closer to the Premier League title, but both sides were left unhappy with decisions from referee Sam Barrott and his assistants.

The first concerned Tarkowski’s early foul on Mac Allister, the Everton defender clearly winning the ball but catching the Argentinian high on the back of the calf with his follow-through.

Barrott showed a yellow, a decision quickly upheld following a VAR check, but one few agreed with.

Former Everton hard man Duncan Ferguson said it was a “straight red all day” on Sky Sports.

Moyes said: “I thought at the time it was a brilliant tackle for a derby game.

“You people are all asking for (physical play) and then when you get it you want a sending-off, so be careful what you wish for.

“I thought it was a brilliant tackle, but since I’ve seen it and come back in we could have been lucky he didn’t get a red.

“It looked high, but it depends what era you want to watch your football in.”

Liverpool boss Arne Slot, sent off for his protests when these sides met at Goodison Park in February, held his tongue.

“I don’t want to comment on the situation because so many already did and even people who are not liking Liverpool a lot are saying how clear and obvious it was,” he said.

Jota took his goal, his first since January, in some style, but Moyes fumed over the build-up after his nine-match unbeaten run since returning to Everton ended.

Luis Diaz was in an offside position when Ryan Gravenberch played the ball forward, but Jota capitalised after Tarkowski cut out a pass heading in his direction.

“He’s offside,” Moyes said. “I’ve not sought an explanation. I’ve said to (the officials) I’m disappointed. I think it’s quite an easy one to give. All our players are holding the 18-yard line and Diaz has come from behind and affects Tarky from behind.

“I’m really surprised it wasn’t given, or maybe I’m not surprised. I don’t think there’s many managers who come here and think they get loads of decisions at Anfield.

“I wasn’t sure how well the linesmen have done their jobs tonight. There were early flags, late flags, I didn’t think they’ve done particularly well.”

Moyes even got some sympathy from Slot.
“It was not offside according to the rules,” the Dutchman said. “Do I like the rules? No. I do not like the rule, it is not a rule that helps the team wanting to attack. So I hate that rule, but the execution of the rule was fortunately for us well done in that situation.”

While he questioned the officials, Moyes had “no complaints” over the result away to a side now 12 points clear at the top and Slot admitted Everton had made his players work hard for their win.

“It was hard fought, but that is definitely not a surprise,” he said. “Nine games unbeaten, Everton, they hardly concede a goal, hardly ever conceded a chance. We had to be there many times and you hope one time it will be enough and it was for Diogo.”

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DIOGO JOTA’S SOLO GOAL FIRES LEADERS LIVERPOOL TO VICTORY IN CONTROVERSIAL MERSEYSIDE DERBY

Liverpool re-established their 12-point lead at the top of the Premier League with Diogo Jota’s strike against Everton settling a second controversial Merseyside derby of the season.

Jota’s first league goal since mid-January was potentially one of his most important of the campaign as the 1-0 victory kept second-placed Arsenal at more than arm’s length.

It also ended Everton manager David Moyes’ nine-match unbeaten league run since taking over in January and extended his personal record to 22 Anfield visits without a win.

But the main talking point was Everton defender James Tarkowski seemingly getting away with an excessive challenge on Alexis Mac Allister early in the first half.

That former Toffees striker and renowned hard man Duncan Ferguson called it a “straight red all day” told its own story.

Sam Barrott had never refereed at Anfield before, never mind handled a Merseyside derby, and there were times when it looked like he was reluctant to make a decision.

None more so than Tarkowski’s 11th-minute tackle which appeared to receive universal condemnation from pundits and commentators for its unnecessary ferocity.

Jarrad Branthwaite had just bailed out his centre-back partner by blocking a shot by Jota, who had turned Tarkowski too easily on the edge of the area.

The veteran defender seemed to want to re-establish his authority and the next time the ball came his way he took it cleanly but followed through wildly, catching Mac Allister halfway up his calf.

Barrott issued a yellow card and VAR saw no reason to upgrade it, with the Premier League subsequently describing the tackle as “reckless”. Ferguson, a Sky Sports pundit, said the decision was “unbelievable”.

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot, who had been sent off for his protests at Goodison Park in February after Tarkowski’s equaliser in the eighth added minute, just about managed to keep a lid on his frustrations.

It set the game on edge, which played into the visitors’ hands, and they had the best two chances of the half.

Beto’s goal was ruled out for offside before the striker hit a post in a one-on-one with Caoimhin Kelleher, in because Alisson Becker failed concussion protocols following a clash on Brazil duty, after capitalising on a rare error by Virgil van Dijk.

The best Liverpool could muster was a Mohamed Salah header straight at Jordan Pickford and a Ryan Gravenberch shot deflecting kindly into the England goalkeeper’s arms.

Gravenberch set the tone for the second half with a shot which was parried by Pickford and headed behind by Branthwaite.

But the breakthrough finally came in the 57th minute.

Jota retrieved Diaz’s backheel and jinked his way past Idrissa Gueye and Tarkowski before firing past Pickford.

There was a degree of karma in the fact Diaz had been offside until Tarkowski stuck out a leg to half-block Gravenberch’s intended pass, on which Jota pounced.

Barrot got himself into a mess late in the game when he blew for a foul inside Liverpool’s half as substitute Darwin Nunez chased the ball and collided with Pickford in the penalty area, with the Uruguay international getting himself booked for unsporting behaviour for rolling back onto the pitch to receive treatment.

It was far from a classic but after back-to-back defeats, in two cup competitions, for the first time under Slot just before the international break a return to winning ways brought a second title in five years one step closer.

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MARCUS RASHFORD SCORES FIRST PREMIER LEAGUE GOAL FOR VILLA IN WIN AT BRIGHTON

Marcus Rashford struck his first Premier League goal for Aston Villa to set his side on course for a comprehensive 3-0 win over fellow European hopefuls Brighton at the Amex Stadium.

The on-loan Manchester United forward added to his brace in Saturday’s 3-0 FA Cup quarter-final success away to Preston by bobbling home a 51st-minute finish after Villa countered from a Seagulls corner.

In-form Marco Asensio doubled the lead 12 minutes from time with his eighth goal in his last seven appearances before fellow substitute Donyell Malen’s maiden goal for the club sealed victory in the 10th minute of added time.

Albion were frustrated to be denied a quick-fire equaliser after Rashford’s milestone goal when winger Simon Adingra’s close-range effort was disallowed following a VAR check due to an adjudged handball by Kaoru Mitoma in the build-up.

Fabian Hurzeler’s hosts also hit the woodwork through Yasin Ayari’s first-half free-kick before slipping to eighth place – a point and a place below Villa – on the back of a first top-flight defeat in two months.

Villa arrived in Sussex buoyed by reaching a first FA Cup semi-final since finishing runners-up 10 years ago, while Albion were seeking a response to the disappointment of a penalty shoot-out exit at home to Nottingham Forest.

Travelling fans wasted little time in taunting home supporters about reaching Wembley during an end-to-end opening in which both sides threatened.

Matty Cash fizzed a rising drive just over with the visitors’ best opportunity, while Adingra’s curling effort drifted narrowly wide at the other end following a swift counter-attack led by Mitoma.

Brighton wanted a penalty in the 28th minute when winger Mitoma was nudged over by right-back Cash.

The incident prompted a disagreement on the touchline as Villa manager Unai Emery took issue with Albion boss Hurzeler leaving his technical area to protest against the decision of referee Stuart Attwell.

Villa had greater reason to feel aggrieved in the 37th minute when Jack Hinshelwood, who had already been booked, appeared to bring down Jacob Ramsey in the box, only to somehow escape punishment following a VAR review.

Midfielder Ayari almost gave Albion a 42nd-minute lead but his 20-yard free-kick, after being hauled down by Boubacar Kamara, was touched on to the post by Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.

The away side seized the initiative just six minutes into the second period with a route-one counter-attack launched by Martinez.

After comfortably catching Jan Paul van Hecke’s header from a Seagulls corner, the Argentinian World Cup winner rolled the ball to Morgan Rogers, whose long, diagonal ball sent England international Rashford racing clear to scuff beyond Bart Verbruggen.
The Seagulls thought they had equalised four minutes later.

However, following Attwell’s trip to the pitch-side monitor, Mitoma was deemed to have handled Ayari’s lofted pass into the box, prior to Adingra sweeping home after Martinez failed to claim the loose ball.

Having initially responded well to falling behind, Brighton were dealt a knockout blow in the 78th minute.

Defender Eiran Cashin, on for his Brighton debut in place of captain Lewis Dunk, was caught out trying to intercept Cash’s ball forward, allowing Rogers to race down the right and pick out prolific Paris St Germain loanee Asensio, who calmly found the bottom right corner with a fine, first-time finish.

Brighton were given 10 minutes of added time to find a way back into the contest.

But the hosts rarely threatened to set up a tense finale before Netherlands forward Malen compounded their misery by thumping a low shot into the bottom left corner to secure Villa’s sixth successive victory in all competitions.

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SANDRO TONALI’S STUNNING STRIKE KEEPS NEWCASTLE IN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PURSUIT

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - JANUARY 18: Sandro Tonali of Newcastle United stands in the wall with Lewis Hall, Alexander Isak and Jacob Murphy during the Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and AFC Bournemouth at St James' Park on January 18, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

Sandro Tonali blasted Newcastle firmly into the race for Champions League qualification with a stunning strike to seal a hard-fought 2-1 win over Brentford.

On a night when Alexander Isak became the first man to score 20 Premier League goals for the Magpies in consecutive seasons, it was Italy international Tonali, who found the back of the net twice against the Bees in the Carabao Cup fifth round, who snatched the headlines with a superb winner 16 minutes from time.

Isak had given the hosts, playing for their first time since their Carabao Cup final victory over Liverpool, the lead in first-half stoppage time with his 24th goal of the season and 20th in the league.

Bryan Mbeumo equalised with a penalty before Tonali lit up St James’ Park and eased his side into fifth place with a game in hand on the teams above them.

Isak should have scored within two minutes, but glanced a header wide from Tino Livramento’s cross before Kieran Trippier had to get in a timely header to prevent Mbeumo’s teasing cross from reaching Kevin Schade at the far post.

Brentford were almost caught out with 22 minutes gone when Jacob Murphy slid Isak in and he stepped outside defender Nathan Collins before blasting a foot over Mark Flekken’s crossbar.

Harvey Barnes and Tonali both saw shots blocked in quick succession as the home side turned the screw, but Fabian Schar had to put his body on the line to prevent Schade’s 30th-minute drive from calling Nick Pope into action for the first time.

Barnes had the ball in the net in stoppage time after Isak had left Ethan Pinnock and Nathan Collins behind with a mazy run, but tried to be too clever and his team-mate had run offside.

However, the Sweden international made amends within seconds, arriving at the far post to tap home Murphy’s cross after Mbeumo had slipped in front of him at the end of a move which had started with Pope.

Newcastle picked up where they had left off after the restart, but with Mbeumo’s invention testing the Magpies, their lead rarely looked comfortable.

Murphy and Barnes both should have extended their advantage after the former had caught Keane Lewis-Potter in possession, but it evaporated with 66 minutes gone when, after Pope had brought Yoane Wissa down as they competed for a ball lofted into the penalty area, Mbeumo calmly converted to level.

Brentford should have been ahead within two minutes when Pinnock rose unopposed to meet Schade’s cross, but saw his header come back off a post.

It was left to Tonali to win it in style with a remarkable 74th-minute strike from an unlikely angle, which caught out Mark Flekken at his near post and sent the home fans among a crowd of 52,021 into raptures.

Substitute Callum Wilson and Barnes both saw late attempts deflected wide, but Mikkel Damsgaard skied his stoppage-time effort over to the relief of the locals.

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SCOTLAND RELEGATED FROM NATIONS LEAGUE TOP TIER AFTER 0-3 DEFEAT TO GREECE

Scotland were relegated from Nations League A after a 3-0 home defeat by Greece.

Steve Clarke’s side made a decent start but goals from Giannis Konstantelias, Konstantinos Karetsas and Christos Tzolis had the visitors 3-1 up on aggregate with just 15 seconds of the second half played.
The Hampden crowd expressed their dissent on several occasions as Scotland never really looked like getting back into the game.
They now drop down to the second tier of the competition ahead of the next set of group games in the autumn of 2026.

Scotland had Ryan Christie back in the team after suspension with Lewis Ferguson the only player to drop out following the 1-0 first-leg win.

Greece made six changes including handing a first start to Karetsas, the 17-year-old wide player whose introduction helped change the flow of the game in Greece’s favour in the second half on Thursday.

Sir Alex Ferguson made a pre-match appearance, holding up a number 10 shirt in tribute to Denis Law before a minute’s applause for Scotland’s joint-record goalscorer in the first home international since his death.

The hosts started on the front foot.

Che Adams had a penalty appeal rejected before Scott McTominay had an angled shot saved after being played through by Kenny McLean.

Andy Robertson soon fired wide and McTominay then saw a shot deflected into the side net.

But Greece levelled the aggregate score in the 20th minute with their first meaningful attack.
Robertson was outnumbered as Karetsas fed overlapping right-back Georgios Vagiannidis, whose cutback found the untracked Giannis Konstantelias and the midfielder swept the ball home from 10 yards.

Scotland almost responded quickly. McTominay sliced wide from the edge of the box before playing in John McGinn, who was denied by goalkeeper Kostas Tzolakis.

Greece looked dangerous as the half progressed and they doubled their lead in the 42nd minute after the Scotland midfield again failed to track Konstantelias.

Robertson ran into the middle of the box to close the midfielder down after he collected a pass from the left wing, but that just left Karetsas unmarked. Konstantelias teed up the teenager, who curled the ball first time into the top corner.

Konstantelias produced another assist 15 seconds after half-time, collecting a loose pass from Christie and setting up Tzolis to finish.

Boos rang out from the home fans after Scotland were stretched again and Karetsas curled beyond the top corner.

The home fans were audibly unconvinced by Clarke’s first attempt to change the game in the 55th minute, notably the decision to take off Billy Gilmour. McLean and Adams also went off as Kieran Tierney and Lewis Ferguson joined the midfield and striker George Hirst made his Hampden debut.

There was little evidence of a cutting edge for Scotland. Hirst headed off target from two difficult chances and the scoreline could have been worse.

John Souttar’s goal-line clearance from Vangelis Pavlidis saved Grant Hanley’s blushes after the defender’s slip and Tzolis blazed over on the break.

Clarke went for broke in the 73rd minute by bringing on strikers Tommy Conway and James Wilson and handing them wide roles but the best chance fell to Tierney, then playing at left-back, with only seconds left. Tzolakis made a good diving save.

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UNL: EVAN FERGUSON ON TARGET AS REPUBLIC OF IRELAND HIT BACK TO BEAT BULGARIA AGAIN.

Evan Ferguson scored his first goal since November as the Republic of Ireland preserved their Nations League B status with a 4-2 aggregate victory over Bulgaria.

Ferguson, currently on loan at West Ham from Brighton, claimed his fifth senior international goal with 27 minutes remaining before substitute Adam Idah struck after coming off the bench to secure a 2-1 play-off second-leg win at the Aviva Stadium to go with the one which Ireland returned from Plovdiv with on Thursday.

Just as they had done on home soil, the Bulgarians took a first-half lead, this time through midfielder Valentin Antov, and again they were unable to defend it on a night when, contrary to Republic boss Heimir Hallgrimsson’s prediction of a no-holds-barred physical battle, they played some fluent and compact football.

Defender Jake O’Brien might have marked his first competitive start in style when he met Robbie Brady’s fourth-minute corner with a firm downward header, but saw keeper Plamen Iliev make a good reaction save.

With winger Mikey Johnston terrorising the Bulgarians down the right and linking well with Ferguson, Troy Parrott and Finn Azaz – defender Simeon Petrov had earlier had to make a timely block to prevent Johnston from finishing off a flowing move he had started – Ireland were firmly in the ascendancy.

Parrott turned a 24th-minute Brady cross on to the foot of the post as Ireland responded, but it was the visitors who took the lead on the half-hour when, after Georgi Milanov’s volley from Kiril Despodov’s corner had been block by Nathan Collins, Antov stabbed the loose ball past Caoimhin Kelleher, his side’s first attempt on goal.

Parrott flicked a Brady cross on to the roof of Iliev’s net and full-back Fabian Nurnberger cleared another O’Brien header off the line as the hosts fought for a way back into the game, but they went in at the break frustrated.

Johnston should have done better after being played into space by Parrott with 49 minutes gone, but screwed his right-foot shot well wide, and the West Brom midfielder saw another attempt smothered at source three minutes later after linking well with Parrott and Ferguson.

Azaz fired wide after O’Brien had headed down a Brady free-kick and Iliev clawed Ferguson’s 55th-minute strike out of his bottom corner after Parrott had robbed Petrov with chances – or at least half-chances – coming thick and fast.

Kelleher made his first save of the night when he plucked Nurnberger’s shot out of the air two minutes later, and his side was back in it after 63 minutes when Ferguson played a beautifully executed one-two with Azaz before lashing the ball into the roof of the net.

Ireland wrapped up victory with six minutes remaining when Azaz set Mark Sykes away down the left and he turned back inside before clipping the ball to the far post for fellow substitute Idah to volley home.