Scotland are nonetheless one recreation from their first World Cup since 1998 regardless of falling wanting a exceptional comeback in a 3-2 defeat in Greece after Belarus did them a favour in opposition to Denmark.
The Scots, who had been 3-0 down after 63 minutes in opposition to Greece, now face a winner-takes-all recreation in opposition to Group C leaders Denmark at Hampden on Tuesday after they drew in opposition to bottom-side Belarus 2-2 in Copenhagen.
Objectives from Ben Gannon-Doak and Ryan Christie gave Scotland hope within the last 20 minutes they usually threatened an equaliser on a number of events as Greece captain Tasos Bakasetas, scorer of the opener, was despatched off within the 84th minute for a second bookable offence.
Greece goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos produced a surprising save along with his leg to maintain out Scott McTominay and denied George Hirst a faucet in from six yards both facet of the purple card.
The Danes noticed a one-goal lead over Belarus turned on its head in three second-half minutes and the Tartan Military celebrated a 2-2 attract Copenhagen after an agonising wait of a number of minutes following the ultimate whistle in Piraeus, on the outskirts of Athens.
Scotland had greater than sufficient probabilities to drag the sport again of their favour with Che Adams lacking large alternatives to equalise at 1-0 and once more at 3-2 within the second half. His profligacy was punished by Greece.
Che Adams had an evening to overlook in entrance of purpose
Craig Gordon, 42, made 5 first-half saves deputising for the injured Angus Gunn
Finally, the harm was performed by Scotland’s woeful begin which noticed Greece take the lead after seven minutes by means of Bakasetas earlier than second-half strikes from Konstantinos Karetsas and Christos Tzolis took the sport past attain.
Scotland’s 42-year-old stand-in goalkeeper Craig Gordon, who had not performed a aggressive match for six months, produced 5 first-half saves to maintain his facet within the recreation as he produced a vastly spectacular efficiency deputising for the injured Angus Gunn.
The dramatic finish, in Greece and Copenhagen, shifted the main focus from one other worrying Scotland efficiency, however Clarke will know that extra is required if they’re to beat Denmark on Tuesday and attain the 2026 World Cup.
Clarke: I used to be planning for play-off at 3-0
Scotland boss Steve Clarke on if he was conscious of proceedings in Denmark’s recreation with Belarus:
“Only very late in the game, because when it went 3-0, I put some different instructions on to the pitch. I won’t tell you what, but it was more with play-offs in mind.
“Then all of the sudden we received to 3-1 and realised that the opposite recreation was the way in which it was. So these directions had been taken again and we tried our greatest to get one thing out of the sport right here.
“It was a crazy game, a crazy night. Conceded bad goals, scored good goals. Looked a threat any time we went forward. As did Greece. Both goalkeepers made big saves.
“In all probability an ideal spectacle for the individuals watching, however not a superb end result.
“Really the cause of this problem is the long balls down the pitch. It’s something to look at and that’s hopefully just a one-off night because it’s not normally something that causes us too many problems.”
Robertson: Shoot-out at Hampden – what extra are you able to ask for?
Scotland defender Andy Robertson talking to BBC:
“That’s what we wanted. Today is such a strange game, you cannot concede three goals.
“We had eight or 9 actually large probabilities. We received the attacking bit proper however not the defensive bit.
“But we fought back. Denmark have got points but shows you how much better Belarus have got.
“Winner takes all on Tuesday. Individuals had been writing us off however now now we have a shoot-off and a last to play on Tuesday.
“We heard the fans start cheering when we were 3-1 down which was a bit strange, but we didn’t know what went on.
“We knew one thing had gone however when gamers come on, they’re properly conscious of it. We had a protracted wait to see in the event that they dropped factors however a shoot-out at Hampden, what extra are you able to ask for?
“I hope everyone gets behind us for Tuesday.”
Christie: We have shut down Denmark earlier than
Scotland midfielder Ryan Christie talking to BBC:
“We’re gutted because we wanted to come here and either win or draw. On the flip side of that, the other result gives us a chance on Tuesday night which we all wanted.
“It was irritating since you work for the entire week. Greece got here out the traps very well.
“They probably deserved to go ahead. We grew into it in the latter part of the first half, and I think their second and third were against the run of play.
“I knew we had been nonetheless within the recreation. It’s kind of completely different as a result of in our heads we had been pondering simply attempt to get some extent, simply get one other purpose.
“I think looking at the second half, attacking-wise, it’s the best we’ve played in the last 18 months.
“We all know we have shut down Denmark earlier than and hopefully we are able to do it once more.”
The draw for the 2026 World Cup will take place in Washington on December 5.
President Trump will join FIFA President Gianni Infantino at the John F Kennedy Center – a performing arts venue where Trump is chairman – to decide the group stage fixtures.
Announcing the draw venue at the White House in August, Trump said the World Cup was “the largest occasion in sports activities”, while Infantino declared the 104 matches would be like “104 Tremendous Bowls”.
The draw will happen from 12pm native time (5pm UK time).
The 2026 FIFA Males’s World Cup takes place from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
Will probably be the twenty third version of the event.
