BBC SPORT | Football | Internationals | Scotland

Scotland 3-1 Canada

Scotland recorded their first home win under coach Berti Vogts thanks to a good second-half performance.

Canada had the better of the opening period and went ahead early on with a Dwayne de Rosario penalty in nine minutes.

Stevie Crawford equalised two minutes later, but it was not until Steven Thompson put the Scots ahead in 50 minutes that the home side began to dominate.

A third goal by Crawford put a slightly generous reflection on the scoreline, but the striker deserved it for his hard work.

Scots happy with another win

Canada created the first opportunity in seven minutes when they won a free kick on the edge of the Scottish penalty area.

Richard Hastings' shot was blocked by the wall, but when Steven Pressley dallied on the ball, De Rosario capitalised and went down under Russell Anderson's challenge.

Anderson appeared to take the ball but the referee gave the penalty and De Rosario tucked the spot kick away to give Canada a ninth minute lead.

Scotland's win in pictures

Scotland were only behind for two minutes though. Scot Gemmill picked up a loose ball and fed Crawford who despatched the ball beyond Hirschfeld for the equaliser.

Good work from Crawford after 20 minutes ended with Maurice Ross putting the ball in the net, but the flag had already been raised for offside.

Scotland striker Steven Thompson
Steven Thompson scored his first international goal
Canada should have retaken the lead just after the half-hour mark after Imhof skinned Wilkie before cutting the ball back, but De Rosario slipped as he prepared to shoot.

Canada had another golden opportunity when Radzinski beat Dailly to fire in a fierce shot.

Gallacher parried but De Guzman met the rebound, only for his goalbound shot to be blocked by the arm of the falling Wilkie, but this time no penalty was awarded.

Thompson should have had Scotland in front on the stroke of half time after a great ball by Ross, but his header was well wide.

But Thompson did put the Scots ahead five minutes after the break with an excellent finish after Callum Davidson had robbed Kevin McKenna.

The impressive De Rosario brought out a good save from Gallacher with an angled drive as the Canadians looked for a quick response.

Paul Devlin holds off Imhof's challenge
Thompson should have had a second in 62 minutes when he got on the end of Paul Devlin's cross only to head over from just five yards out.

Crawford scored his second of the night in 73 minutes with a cool finish after Thompson had done exceptionally well to knock Devlin's cross into his path.

Canada kept plugging away though and Radzinski was foiled by an excellent clearance by Anderson at the back post with six minutes remaining.

Crawford came within inches of a hat-trick when he headed Devlin's cross just wide as the game came to an end.

Scotland: Gallacher, Dailly, Pressley, Wilkie, Anderson, Graham Alexander, Gemmill, Devlin, Ross, Crawford, Thompson.

Subs: Neil Alexander, Davidson, Severin, McFadden, Murray, Williams, Kevin Kyle, Kevin Kyle.

Canada: Hirschfeld, McKenna, Hastings, Stalteri, Pozniak, Nsaliwa, Imhof, Radzinski, De Rosario, Fenwick, de Guzman.

Subs: Nash, Xausa, Hutchinson, Onstad.

Referee: L Huyghe


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