Scotland saved their World Cup qualifying hopes alive regardless of an unconvincing 2-1 win in opposition to pointless Belarus at an edgy Hampden Park.
Steve Clarke’s facet stay unbeaten in Group C and they’re now assured no less than a play-off place after Denmark’s 3-1 victory over Greece as they appear to finish their 27-year exile from soccer’s greatest match, nevertheless it was one other irritating show on the nationwide stadium.
Che Adams opened the scoring in opposition to the facet ranked 67 locations under them, however possibilities had been exhausting to come back by within the first half.
Scotland had a penalty declare turned down earlier than Belarus had the ball within the web, with aid when it was disallowed for a foul within the build-up.
Scott McTominay scored an important second late on to ease among the Tartan Military’s nerves, with the guests pulling one again in stoppage time when Hleb Kuchko beat Andy Robertson to fireplace previous Angus Gunn in stoppage time.
With the ultimate qualifiers in opposition to Greece and Denmark to come back subsequent month, Scotland, who’re second in Group C on purpose distinction, know two wins from their ultimate two video games and they are going to be at subsequent summer season’s World Cup. Nonetheless, they’re now on a collision course with the Danes for high spot, with the potential of a mouth-watering winner-takes-all sport at Hampden on November 18.
Tartan Military torment as Scotland wrestle to victory
It was a sluggish begin from Scotland with Belarus creating the primary possibilities. Scott McKenna diverted German Barkovskiy’s low cross for a nook, Evgeni Yablonskiy’s drive was blocked and Pavel Zabelin despatched a shot simply over.
Adams then pressured Fedor Lapoukhov right into a save earlier than sending a low strike into the online only a few minutes later. He was initially flagged offside with the purpose finally given after a VAR verify.
The Tartan Military’s nerves eased, a little bit.
Ben Gannon-Doak was subsequent to threaten, firing the ball into the facet netting.
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Scotland’s penalty claims had been waved away after Adams went down within the field earlier than Barkovskiy fired over the bar for the guests as half time approached.
Gannon-Doak was denied by Lapoukhov twice in first-half stoppage-time as Scotland pushed for a second, and Scotland’s dominance continued because the Belarus keeper made a sensible save to disclaim McTominay after the break.
Steve Clarke’s facet had been screaming for a penalty when Adams was bundled over by Yegor Parkhomenko, however replays confirmed the Scotland striker dealt with the ball first.
Scott McTominay celebrates with Kieran Tierney after scoring to make it 2-0
Belarus then had the ball within the web when Evgeni Malashevich slotted previous Gunn, however any jeers shortly turned again to cheers when it was disallowed for a foul on McTominay.
The hosts then had had one other one chalked off – Gannon-Doak despatched a cross to Adams just for it to come back off his arm earlier than getting in. However their subsequent effort did depend, McTominay with a sensible first contact and left-footed end as Robertson’s cross broke his manner.
Into stoppage-time and Scotland switched off, with Kuchko taking benefit to make for a nervy finish earlier than the boos rang spherical Hampden regardless of the win sustaining their unbeaten report – and their World Cup goals.
Clarke: ‘It is a head scratcher’
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Scotland head coach Steve Clarke admits their efficiency of their unconvincing World Cup qualifying win vs Belarus was a
Scotland head coach Steve Clarke:
“It’s possibly as disappointed as I’ve been over the whole 72 games [I’ve been in charge]. We just didn’t turn up.
“However earlier than I am going down that route, and also you begin asking me questions on why I am feeling like that, it is also [good] to level out that performances do not get you qualification. And tonight was definitely not a efficiency.
“But we got three points, and that’s six points from the double header, so we’re really pleased about that, as everyone with a Scottish connection will be.
“It is a head scratcher, however I will go away, I will take a look, and we’ll analyse it.
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Following his facet’s World Cup qualifier victory in opposition to Belarus, John Mcginn revealed Steve Clarke’s wild half-time staff speak.
“Tonight we get the win but I’m disappointed in the team performance as their head coach.
“There have been many occasions once I’ve been sitting right here saying how good they’re and the way they’re an incredible group of lads. And they’re. That does not change.
“But it doesn’t mean to say that, as their head coach, sometimes I can’t be disappointed in them.
“I’ve informed them that within the dressing room, in order that they know what my emotions are.
“But I’ve got a great faith in them and I trust them absolutely. And I know that next month they’ll be a different animal.”
