A stunning free-kick from Eran Zahavi silenced sold-out Hampden after just five minutes until John McGinn lifted the mood with a curling finish from the edge of the box.
That boost though was immediately wiped by Munas Dabbur’s scrambled goal moments later which gave the visitors the half-time lead.
Lyndon Dykes had a poor penalty saved just before the break, but did find the leveller after a little help from VAR in the second half.
Then with Scotland pressing for a vital winner it finally came in the 94th minute when Scott McTominay headed in and Scotland moved four points clear in second place.
Here's how the players rated…
Player ratings scale - 10: One of best performances you've seen. 9: Outstanding. 8: Very good. 7: Good. 6: Average. 5: Poor, 4: Very poor. 3: Terrible day at office. 2: Abysmal. 1: One of worst performances you've seen.
1. Craig Gordon - 7
Let down by his wall at free-kick opener (pictured), vital stop to deny Zahavi in second half.
Photo: ANDY BUCHANAN
2. Nathan Patterson - 6
Tough first half but linked well with Gilmour in the second half going forward and still full of running at full-time.
Photo: Ian MacNicol
3. Andrew Robertson - 7
Even he was off the pace in first half but set up each equaliser and led team on a night to remember at Hampden.
Photo: Christian Hofer
4. Kieran Tierney - 6
Sacrificed usual marauding runs to aid shaky defence in the first half but delivered usual assured display and stepped up in the second.
Photo: Ian MacNicol