Match ends, Albania 0, Scotland 4.
Scotland thumped 10-man Albania to go level on points with Israel at the top of Nations League Group C1.
Ryan Fraser and James Forrest scored their first goals for Scotland, while a Steven Fletcher penalty was his first goal for his country in over two years.
Albania's chances were not helped by Mergim Mavraj's red card after he head-butted Ryan Christie at 1-0.
A win over Israel on Tuesday at Hampden will win the group for Scotland and seize a play-off spot.
And, with that, they would be just two games away from Euro 2020 qualification should they not have already earned it through the qualifying groups that begin next year.
The win in Shkoder lifts the pressure off head coach Alex McLeish after last month's defeat in Israel.
Nine call-offs pre-match had left him struggling for options, but his young, energetic side impressed and could have won by more.
'Scotland a joy to watch'
It was not a must-win in terms of Scotland's chances of topping the group, but for confidence in McLeish's reign, a result and a performance was badly needed.
In an error-strewn opening from both sides, it was the visitors who looked the more dangerous. McLeish had set out his stall with an attacking line-up and blue shirts swarmed over Albania's backline, pressing high.
It paid off when Christie nicked possession on the edge of the box and touched the ball to Fraser, who dropped the shoulder and finished into the far corner on his right foot.
Christie was again in the thick of the action as the game took another turn towards the visitors. Albania captain Mavraj appeared to lurch his head towards the Celtic forward.
Referee Vladislav Bezborodov, who was in the process of booking Mavraj for a foul on Forrest, got word in his earpiece and duly reached for the red card to reduce Albania to 10 men.
At times, Scotland were a joy to watch, a glimpse into the fearless young side McLeish is desperate to see on the big stage. Albania struggled to handle Fraser, Christie and Forrest, while Callum McGregor controlled the midfield.
Before the half-time whistle, Scotland were 2-0 ahead. Rey Manaj was adjudged to have handled a Stuart Armstrong free-kick. It was harsh, the ball was hit straight at him as he jumped in the wall.
Fletcher, making his first Scotland start in over two years, and in his first appearance in the dark blue in 13 months, stepped up and stroked the penalty past goalkeeper Etrit Berisha.
Any time Albania played a high line, Scotland pounced. Christie's threaded ball allowed Forrest to put on the afterburners and he added a third after the break.
It was night and day from the disappointing display in Haifa last month - and Scotland were still not done.
On his 25th appearance, Forrest had already scored his first goal. But his second showed what a top player the Celtic winger has now become; collecting Fraser's pass, knocking the ball up with his right foot and thumping in a volley with his left.
Scotland have done the first part of the job and now a win over Israel at Hampden will complete the first assignment of winning their Nations League group ahead of the draw in two weeks for the Euro 2020 qualifying groups.
'Fitting end to difficult year within grasp'
BBC Scotland's Brian McLauchlin in Albania
As Forrest volleyed in Scotland's fourth goal, the swirling noise of the bagpipes could be heard from the 2000 Tartan Army members who had made the lengthy and difficult trip to Shkoder in Northern Albania.
And, after the huge disappointment of the Israel defeat, no one can deny them the celebrations that will undoubtedly follow late into the night.
From the first minute until the last, Scotland were simply outstanding.
With so many call-offs prior to the game, the pressure was on, but to a man they handled this with ease.
But the real heroes were Forrest and Fraser. Their pace was a constant threat the Albanians simply couldn't cope with.
The real test will come on Tuesday at Hampden, where we now know a win will be good enough for Scotland to progress to the next stage of the tournament.
And what a boost that would be at the end of what has been a difficult year for the national team and their head coach.
Line-ups
Albania
Formation 4-4-1-1
- 1Berisha
- 5Veseli
- 6DjimsitiSubstituted forDermakuat 52'minutes
- 15MavrajBooked at 21mins
- 17Binaku
- 22Uzuni
- 20KaceSubstituted forIsmajliat 27'minutes
- 14Xhaka
- 7GrezdaBooked at 88mins
- 9Memushaj
- 10ManajBooked at 12minsSubstituted forBalajat 62'minutes
Substitutes
- 2Lila
- 3Kaja
- 4Ismajli
- 8Ademi
- 11Vrioni
- 12Kastrati
- 13Lilaj
- 16Ndoj
- 18Dermaku
- 19Balaj
- 21Gavazaj
- 23Strakosha
Scotland
Formation 4-1-4-1
- 1McGregor
- 2PatersonBooked at 10mins
- 4BatesBooked at 65mins
- 5McKennaBooked at 60mins
- 3Robertson
- 6McGregor
- 7Forrest
- 8S ArmstrongSubstituted forMcTominayat 61'minutes
- 10Christie
- 11FraserSubstituted forRussellat 73'minutesBooked at 80mins
- 9FletcherSubstituted forPhillipsat 68'minutes
Substitutes
- 12Bain
- 14Hendry
- 15Shinnie
- 16Mackay-Steven
- 17McTominay
- 18Phillips
- 19McBurnie
- 20Russell
- 21MacDonald
- Referee:
- Vladislav Bezborodov
- Attendance:
- 8,632
Match Stats
- Possession
- Home58%
- Away42%
- Shots
- Home7
- Away20
- Shots on Target
- Home0
- Away6
- Corners
- Home3
- Away6
- Fouls
- Home10
- Away20
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Albania 0, Scotland 4.
Post update
Ardian Ismajli (Albania) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Johnny Russell (Scotland).
Post update
Bekim Balaj (Albania) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by David Bates (Scotland).
Booking
Eros Grezda (Albania) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Foul by Eros Grezda (Albania).
Post update
Scott McTominay (Scotland) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Attempt missed. Matt Phillips (Scotland) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Johnny Russell.
Booking
Johnny Russell (Scotland) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Eros Grezda (Albania) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Matt Phillips (Scotland).
Post update
Attempt blocked. James Forrest (Scotland) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Ryan Christie.
Post update
Corner, Scotland. Conceded by Ardian Ismajli.
Post update
Attempt missed. Matt Phillips (Scotland) right footed shot from the right side of the six yard box misses to the left. Assisted by Andrew Robertson with a cross.
Post update
Foul by Eros Grezda (Albania).
Post update
Johnny Russell (Scotland) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Post update
Scott McTominay (Scotland) hits the bar with a left footed shot from the centre of the box. Assisted by Johnny Russell.
Post update
Bekim Balaj (Albania) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Comments
Join the conversation
If England had had to play that fixture in Albania tonight, and we had won 4-0, then Southgate would be saying it was a good result and that there are no easy matches nowadays.
I wish all the British teams well.
its been a wee while...
Good effort. Now beat Israel to prove this represents improvement.
Just had a look at Albania have 7 players playing in Europe’s top 5 leagues. Scotland have 5.
England haven’t beaten a team away from home by 4 goals (aside from Malta and San Marino) since beating Moldova 5-0 in 2012.
Great result. Enjoy yourselves.
and then when I click on the football page Portugal is the headline not Scotland.why the Scottish and other home nations
wont support the English. Well Done the BBC again with your brilliant insensitive reporting or website. You really know how to take the gloss off our win.