Austria 0-1 Scotland: Lyndon Dykes scores in vital World Cup qualifying win
Lyndon Dykes' penalty, awarded after a VAR check, gave Steve Clarke's men a lead they clung on to in Vienna. Having survived an Austria penalty appeal Stephen O'Donnell, and Che Adams had chances to ease the Scots' nerves.
But the visitors stood firm amid intense second-half pressure to collect a priceless and deserved away win. Coupled with runaway leaders Denmark's 5-0 defeat of Israel, it moves Scotland up two places to second. Clarke's side is a point clear of the Israelis, who visit Hampden next, and four above Austria with four games remaining.
With the three-way fight for the runners-up berth gathering pace, Scotland needed a big performance, and to a man, they delivered. Two VAR calls ultimately made the difference in a frantic encounter as Scotland ended the first half having converted a disputed penalty. At the same time, Austria was incensed. They had been deprived of one.
Adams'teammates had scarcely appeal teammates when the striker went to the ground while grappling with Martin Hinteregger. But replays showed the Austrian had a fistful of his jersey, and Dykes rattled the penalty down the middle and under the body of former Kilmarnock goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann.
Hinteregger, already on a booking for clattering Callum McGregor, was fortunate not to be shown a second yellow. Luck was then on Scotland's side just before half-time when the ball struck O'Donnell's arm as he jostled for a header with Christophe Baumgartner. No penalty was forthcoming, and Konrad Laimer skidded a shot wide in the ensuing melee.
The chaotic scene as the sides left the pitch was in keeping with a breathless opening half. The tempo was unrelenting, with Austria making an energetic start as Real Madrid superstar David Alaba marauded down the left and whipped over a succession of crosses.
Marko Arnautovic and Baumgartner fired wide, with the former also botching a header after being picked out unmarked by another Alaba cross. It was a direct approach that Scotland resisted manfully, with their three centre-backs of Grant Hanley, Jack Hendry and Kieran Tierney standing strong time and again.
Scotland had crafted the clearest opening, with Bachmann palming away a Dykes header from John McGinn's cross, but found themselves pinned back after the break as Austria poured forward fuelled by anger.
Scottish nerves were jangling again when Hanley was booked for grappling with Hinteregger at a corner, with no penalty given as the ball was out of play. The Norwich City defender will miss Israel next game through suspension, though.
Bachmann almost gifted the visitors a second when he kicked the ground while attempting to clear, but Scotland could not capitalise, with O'Donnell's shot blocked. The keeper redeemed himself with a fantastic sprawling save from O'Donnell's shot after Adams' pass had sent the full-back clear.
Despite dominating possession, Austria did not work with Craig Gordon until the closing stages, when the Scotland number one brilliantly batted away a Baumgartner header. Adams dragged wide at the other end as the hosts went for broke, but one goal was enough for Scotland to begin dreaming of reaching a first World Cup finals since 1998.
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