Snoddy's Scotland grab crucial late winner

Snodgrass
  • Robert Snodgrass featured for Scotland as they picked up a crucial three points in FIFA World Cup qualification
  • A late Chris Martin goal two minutes from time saw them down Slovenia
  • Also in action was Havard Nordtveit, whose Norway side faced Northern Ireland

Robert Snodgrass’ Scotland side salvaged any FIFA World Cup qualification hopes on Sunday night as they beat Slovenia thanks to a winner two minutes from time.

Fulham forward Chris Martin was the Hampden hero as he squeezed an attempt past the keeper after a previous 88 minutes of stalemate in the Group F clash.

Hammers man Snodgrass, who became the Club’s first Scottish international since Christian Dailly with an appearance in a friendly draw with Canada on Wednesday, played 75 minutes in the vital qualifier before being replaced by Derby County winger Ikechi Anya.

It was the 29-year-old’s 23rd cap for his country for whom he first appeared in 2011 while a Leeds United player.

Scotland moved up to fourth in Group F thanks to the three points, while England, who beat Lithuania at Wembley earlier in the day, sit top with 13 points, six ahead of Snodgrass’ men.

Slovakia and Slovenia both still stand in the way of Gordon Strachan’s side for a qualification place in the group.

Elsewhere, it was a miserable day for Havard Nordtveit, whose Norway team were beaten in Belfast by Northern Ireland.

The Norwegians went down 2-0 to their hosts who scored through Nottingham Forest’s Jamie Ward and QPR frontman Conor Washington.

Nordtveit’s side’s chances of qualifiying for Russia 2018 now look extremely slim with Germany, Czech Republic and Azerbaijan, as well as Michael O’Neill’s outfit, all placed better than Norway in Group C.

Midfielder Nordveit, who has played 17 times for the Hammers since his summer switch from Borussia Monchengladbach, has now represented his country on 29 occasions.