Slovenia 2-2 Scotland: Dramatic draw sees Scotland pipped to second by Slovakia

Slovenia 2-2 Scotland: Dramatic draw sees Scotland pipped to second by Slovakia

FWS - Scotland's hopes of reaching the World Cup play-offs ended with a 2-2 draw in Slovenia, as Slovakia ran out 3-0 winners over Malta to secure second in Group F.

Leigh Griffiths had Scottish fans dreaming at half-time after his volley from a narrow angle fired in off the post (32).

However, substitute Roman Bezjak turned the game on its head with two goals (52, 72) as Slovenia grew stronger in the second half.

Robert Snodgrass' late equaliser (88) set up a tense finale, but Scotland could not find the all-important winner despite coming close twice in the dying minutes and seeing Bostjan Cesar sent off for the hosts (90+2).

The draw left Scotland on 18 points, with Slovakia finishing ahead of them on goal difference.

Slovenia knew only victory over Scotland and a slip-up from Slovakia would see them finish second, and the hosts duly shot out the blocks with Josip Ilicic and Tim Matavz testing Craig Gordon early on.

Scotland meanwhile overcame their early jitters and grew into the game, with Chris Martin forcing Jan Oblak into making his first save after 18 minutes.

The visitors then managed to do what England and all other Group F sides could not manage, and that was score a goal past Oblak in Slovenia in this qualifying campaign.

Player ratings

Slovenia: Oblak (5), Struna (6), Mevlja (6), Cesar (5), Jokic (6), Kurtic (7), Rotman (6), Repas (6), Ilicic (8), Matavz (6), Verbic (7)

Subs: Skubic (6), Vetrih (6), Bezjak (8)

Scotland: Gordon (7), Tierney (7), Mulgrew (6), Berra (6), Robertson (7), D. Fletcher (7), McArthur (7), Bannan (6), Phillips (6), Martin (5), Griffiths (7)

Subs: Anya (6), Snodgrass (7), Fletcher (6)

Man of the match: Josip Ilicic

(skysport)