Derby County goalkeeper David Marshall was once again the hero for Scotland as his penalty heroics secured their qualification for the UEFA European Championships next summer.
After nine successful penalties, Marshall dived left and saved Aleksandar Mitrović’s final spot kick to send the Tartan Army to their first major tournament for the first time since 1998.
Scotland had to do it the hard way after leading for much of the second half, but the game ended in a 1-1 draw. Celtic’s Ryan Christie put them ahead but in the 90th minute, Serbia managed to find an equaliser.
That prompted 30 minutes of extra time, which saw Marshall pull off a superb diving save to deny the hosts taking the lead.
Scotland held on for penalties, and despite Marshall getting close to a number of spot kicks, he denied Fulham striker Mitrovic when it mattered most and secured their passage through to the Euros.
They now move into a group alongside England, Croatia and the Czech Republic.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, Marshall said: “It was never going to be easy. We had to see it out in the last two or three minutes at the end.
“In the first hour of the game, we were really dominant and the second goal was not coming. I’m just lost for words how well the lads turned that pressure when they got that equaliser.
“The manager, players and captain speaking, it changes the mentality. We’ve got that belief of winning games and keeping clean sheets. I’m just so happy.”
