FT Report: Moldova 0 Scotland 2 – Steve Clarke’s side secure World Cup play-off place
BY ALEX GRACE
It was a memorable night for Scotland as they moved a step closer to making the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
They nearly made it hard work for themselves but Scotland have secured a World Cup play-off thanks to goals from Nathan Paterson and Che Adams. They did have Craig Gordon to thank on two occasions. Firstly, making a wonder save mid-way through the first half to deny Moldova’s Artur Ionita from close range. He then saved Vadim Rata’s penalty in the second half which had been awarded after a VAR Check.
On a night where they knew a win would do, Steve Clarke’s men started on the front foot, dominating the opening 15 minutes. They thought they had the lead after just three. Southampton’s Che Adams picked up Andy Robertson’s cross at the far post, he turned his man and slotted the ball into the net but, was denied by the offside flag just seconds later.
John McGinn, Stuart Armstrong, Kieren Tierney, Robertson and Adams all saw efforts blocked or wide of the target as the away side continued their dominance. However, those missed chances nearly came back to bite them as Ionita forced a stunning save from Gordon from a close range header.
That save proved to be crucial as seven minutes before the break Clarke’s men got the breakthrough. McGinn’s neat build-up play led to the Aston Villa man finding Paterson who done superbly well to find the bottom corner of the net to fire the visitors in front – the full back becoming the first Rangers player to score for Scotland since 2011. A truly mid blowing fact.
Ionita’s first half chance further emphasised that Scotland needed a second and thanks to McGinn and his cleaver play they found it. He again linked up well with Paterson, he drove the ball across goal where Adams was waiting at the back post to seal Scotland’s place in the play-offs.
If there’s one thing we know about Scotland, they don’t do things the easy way and so it proved once again. Paterson, the first half hero turned to villain and he handled in the box. The referee was advised by VAR to check the pitch side monitor, awarded the hosts a penalty with ten minutes remaining.
Rata stood up but was denied by Gordon and the penalty taker was then denied by the ultra quick Tierney who prevented a strike at goal from the rebound. The final minutes were seen through without nerves for Scotland who now face Denmark in Glasgow on Monday knowing a victory over the group winners will mean they will be seeded for March’s play-offs.