OLOMOUC: Scotland beat a makeshift Czech Republic side 2-1 in their Nations League encounter in Olomouc.

The hosts had quickly recreated a squad after the original group and staff had been stood down amid coronavirus concerns over the weekend.

The Czech Republic started with nine debutants and one of them, Jakub Pesek, stunned Scotland with an 11th-minute opener.

Winning his second cap, Lyndon Dykes levelled with his first Scotland goal in the 27th minute and Ryan Christie scored his second penalty in two games seven minutes after the break.

However, Steve Clarke’s side continued to live dangerously in the Andruv Stadium and there were several moments of panic before the final whistle.

The victory extended Scotland’s unbeaten run to five games but it was a worrying performance ahead of the Euro 2020 play-off semi-final against Israel next month.

This match had been shrouded in controversy since Friday when the Czech Republic had declared the fixture to be off after two players had to self-isolate following contact with a backroom staff member who had tested positive for coronavirus.

UEFA, however, insisted it go ahead with a new set of players and management.

Bad start for Baraclough

Northern Ireland were made to pay for a makeshift defence as Norway scored three times in the opening 20 minutes on their way to a 5-1 Nations League victory at Windsor Park.

With Jonny Evans and Jamal Lewis both missing from the matchday squad, Northern Ireland were repeatedly exposed at the back with Bailey Peacock-Farrell – the hero of Friday’s 1-1 draw in Romania – unable to do anything as Mohamed Elyounoussi, Erling Haaland and Alexander Sorloth all scored early goals.

There had been time during a frantic opening sequence for Paddy McNair to score a fifth-minute equaliser, but second-half goals from Sorloth and Haaland saw Northern Ireland concede five at home for the first time since 2002.

Played out amid the echoes of an empty Windsor Park, it was certainly not the night Ian Baraclough was hoping for in his first home game in charge – and it will come as a chastening experience with the Euro 2020 qualifying play-off away to Bosnia and Herzegovina next on the agenda in October.

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