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Relive the key moments as Scotland narrowly defeat Belarus.
The final whistle at Hampden Park was met with palpable bewilderment, a collective uncertainty about how to process the preceding 90 minutes.
Was it a moment for cheers, jeers, or simply collapsing under the weight of tension?
Though a victory was secured, the performance itself was underwhelming, arguably the poorest under Steve Clarke’s leadership. Despite remaining on course for World Cup qualification – requiring two more wins – Scotland’s conclusion was reminiscent of a marathon runner faltering across the finish line.
Clinging to a lead in the final stages against a team that had conceded 17 goals in their previous four fixtures, including six against Denmark in their most recent outing, raised concerns.
While these three points are valuable, the performance was both exhausting and deeply troubling. Continued displays of this nature risk jeopardizing Scotland’s World Cup aspirations, both within Group C and in the play-offs.
Scott McTominay later emphasized the need for elevated standards, a sentiment undoubtedly shared throughout the squad.
Captain Andy Robertson, visibly below his usual form, admitted that the victory felt hollow, a sentiment that resonated with many.
Clarke, now Scotland’s longest-serving men’s head coach, expressed disappointment despite reaching the milestone, stating he was “standing here really disappointed”.
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A sense of surrealism permeated the aftermath, with the team appearing uncharacteristically somber despite the win. The prevailing mood was one of lament.
Clarke described the performance as “a head-scratcher,” noting his unusual disappointment – the operative word of the night – with his team’s showing.
He cited deficiencies on both sides of the ball, conceding that “Belarus dictated the whole night, to be honest.”
Scotland lacked cohesion across the board, appearing disjointed in possession and vulnerable defensively. The Kenny McLean-Billy Gilmour midfield pairing proved particularly ineffective.
Even after Che Adams’ early goal, the team failed to establish control over the match.
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Clarke Expresses ‘Real Disappointment’ Despite Scotland Win
When McTominay scored Scotland’s second goal six minutes from time, his celebration lacked the urgency of a player alleviating pressure in a tense encounter.
While scoring his 13th international goal, McTominay’s composure belied the underlying stress, but this was short-lived and arguably undeserved.
Belarus registered more attempts on goal than Scotland, and Hleb Kuchko’s goal, capitalizing on Robertson’s lapse, was a fair reflection of their performance.
Indeed, Belarus could argue they deserved more, with a draw a fairer outcome and an away win not entirely unjust.
Nail-biting finishes are a familiar feature of Scotland’s home games, and Sunday was no exception.
Pre-match discussions often revolved around the gallows humor cherished by the Tartan Army.
Despite a promising position with seven points from nine, including a narrow escape against Greece, fatalistic fans speculated about a potential struggle against the group’s weakest team.
This match felt like a continuation of Thursday’s anxieties, albeit against an opponent lacking Greece’s quality.
Belarus entered the game without a point in the campaign. While few anticipated such a challenging encounter, the possibility of a disappointing outcome was not entirely dismissed.
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‘We need to believe in this team – they’ve not let us down often’
Over the past two games, a lack of influence from key players has been a worrying trend.
Robertson appeared sluggish, John McGinn was out of form, and McTominay, despite his goal, was a shadow of the player who excelled in Italy last season.
Adams showed promise, and Ben Gannon-Doak posed a threat. The teenager’s pace and ability to evade defenders are undeniable, but his decision-making and execution in the final third require refinement.
Gannon-Doak frequently finds himself in advantageous positions but often squanders opportunities with rushed and easily defended deliveries. However, his talent suggests he will improve with experience.
Clarke acknowledged having “a lot to mull over,” stating that “when it comes to the crunch we’ll be ready.”
The “crunch” arrives next month with a visit to Greece and a home game against Denmark, concluding the group stage. Scotland’s readiness is now a subject of serious debate, with those games promising to be fraught with anxiety.
The group table, while seemingly positive, may be misleading.
Scotland are fortunate to be in such a favorable position, having narrowly beaten Greece and, arguably, Belarus on Sunday.
While they survived, a significant improvement is necessary in the coming month to avoid a disappointing end to the campaign.
Clarke and his players are acutely aware of this. Their post-match comments were more impressive than their on-field performance, demonstrating accountability and understanding.
They recognize that World Cup qualification requires more than luck and must rediscover their best form before the final push.
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