Adams and Armstrong start in Scotland qualifying win
Ché Adams and Stuart Armstrong both featured as Scotland got off to the perfect start in UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying action with a 3-0 win over Cyprus.
Southampton's Scottish duo started at Hampden Park as a comfortable victory gave the Tartan Army the ideal opening to their Group A qualifying campaign.
Adams played just under an hour, whilst Armstrong was substituted after 77 minutes, with both players coming close to putting their names on the scoresheet in the win.
Aston Villa's John McGinn opened the scoring in the 20th minute as Scotland led by a single goal at half time, despite Adams' strong effort almost doubling the lead before the break.
Armstrong was a consistent threat in the second half as he almost assisted captain Andy Robertson with a smart through ball only for the Liverpool full-back's shot to go wide, before having an effort from distance himself that was claimed by the Cyprus goalkeeper.
In the closing stages, after Saints' pair had both left the action, Manchester United's Scott McTominay wrapped the result up with two late goals that was followed by an even later red card for Cyprus' Nikolas Ioannou.
Elsewhere in Group A, Moi Elyounoussi's Norway team travelled to Málaga as they kicked off their qualifying campaign against Spain.
The Saints midfielder started and, despite Spain's dominant start and early lead through Dani Olmo, battled for a way back into the match with some clever touches on the left wing.
Norway's defensive resilience and fleeting counter attacks almost paid off with a late chance for an equaliser but, after Elyounoussi's substitution, Joselu added a quickfire brace off the bench to secure a 3-0 win for Spain.
Meanwhile, in Group D, Mislav Oršić's Croatia teammates conceded a dramatic late equaliser as they were forced to settle for a point against Wales.
Saints' January signing was on the bench as Andrej Kramaric's first half strike was cancelled out in the final minute of stoppage time by Ipswich Town's Nathan Broadhead on his international debut.
Finally, Sam Edozie enjoyed a full 90 minutes for England's Under-20s as the Young Lions ran out 4-2 winners in a friendly against the United States.
