SKOPJE — Scotland delivered a commanding 2-0 victory over North Macedonia in Skopje to give head coach Sebastien Pocognoli his first win, with Kieron Bowie's early strike and John McGinn's penalty sealing the Nations League result on the night captain Andy Robertson won his 100th cap.
The scoreline understated Scotland's dominance. They outshot the hosts 25-9 with 10 shots on target to zero, and before Scott McKenna's late red card had 37 touches in North Macedonia's penalty area to just two for the hosts in Scotland's box. North Macedonia, buried in Scotland's pocket for more than 80 minutes, only strung passes and had shots after the dismissal.
Robertson marked his centenary in relentless fashion, firing four shots in the opening 13 minutes — more than he had managed in 90 minutes in any of his previous 99 caps — as Scotland registered six shots inside 15 minutes. Bowie provided the precision, finishing after work from Oli McBurnie — still waiting for a first goal after 19 caps — and the influential Billy Gilmour, while debutants Luis Binks and Stephen Welsh looked at home in defence alongside substitute Robbie Ure, all earning a first taste of victory for Scotland.
Ben Gannon-Doak, 20, was a one-man thrill-fest despite lacking sharpness through limited minutes at Bournemouth. He tormented North Macedonia but blasted over, shot tamely and lost composure on three clear chances. He has played two minutes against Liverpool, 19 against Real Sociedad, eight against Brentford, one minute each against Newcastle and Manchester City, with his only start this season coming in the League Cup tie against Lincoln, raising the prospect of a January loan move if the club allows it.
McGinn's second-half penalty, lashed home to move level with Lawrie Reilly on 22 Scotland goals, added the second after earlier chances that included a thunderbolt from McGinn, a near-miss from Bowie after Gannon-Doak's excellence and an effort off the post from McKenna. The three points lift the burden on Pocognoli after the wait for an elusive goal and a first win, with Scotland now preparing to face Slovenia at Hampden on Tuesday.