SCOTLAND benefited from a refereeing howler as Ryan Christie and John McGinn fired them to a narrow win in Cyprus.
Steve Clarke’s side got the win they needed to see them climb above their hosts up to third in Group I of Euro 2020 qualifying.
But it could have been so different had Cyrpus not been denied what looked a clear opening goal within five minutes when the officials failed to spot Georgios Efrem’s shot had gone over the line.
Efrem had danced around the Scottish defence within five minutes and unleashed a fierce shot which cannoned down off the bar and just over the line.
It looked a clear goal, similar to Frank Lampard’s against Germany during the 2010 World Cup.
But the officials failed to spot it, and because Uefa do not use video technology in Euro 2020 qualifying, Cyprus were denied.
And salt was rubbed into the wounds only seven minutes later when Ryan Christie curled a brilliant effort into the top scorner to fire the Scots ahead.
The strike from Efrem looks to have clearly gone over the line but no goal was given
The ball looks to have bounced down just over the line
Celtic star Christie ran at the Cypriot defence then opened his body to clip a wonderful effort into the top corner from the edge of the area.
The goal allowed Scotland to settle in Nicosia, but they still found it difficult to create any chances of note to extend their lead.
And they looked to be in for a difficult second half when the host side equalised with a stunning goal two minutes after the break.
This time Efrem was not to be denied as he waited for a half clearance to drop from the skies on the edge of the box before smashing in a volley to the far corner.
But Aston Villa star McGinn once again came up trumps for his country to restore their lead six minutes later, clipping home from close range.
Scotland were then able to see out the remainder of the game to seal a morale boosting win – though not before a late scare when Fotios Papoulis blazed over from eight yards in stoppage time.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
