"Scotland edged closer to the World Cup with this result. It is just that next summer's festival of football felt so far away as the Scots limped and laboured to victory over Belarus. A dismal showing has left Steve Clarke with far more questions than answers beforethe two closing fixtures that will determine Scotland's Group C fate. More of this will not do; as the Hampden Park crowd pointed out with increasing ferocity during the second half."
"It was almost worse far worse for the hosts. Evgeni Malashevich had the ball in the net for what would have been a 63rd minute Belarus equaliser. After being afforded a second view, the match referee determined McTominay had been fouled as Belarus snatched midfield possession. The video assistant referee had already determined Che Adams handled the ball when controlling it, cancelling out the same offence by Yegor Parkhomenko. Scotland were therefore denied a penalty kick."
"Adams had sent the hosts in front after 15 minutes, collecting a Jack Hendry pass before slamming home with his left foot. The Torino striker correctly survived an offside check. Scotland were horribly ragged thereafter against a side defeated by six Denmark goals on Thursday. John McGinn and Ben Gannon-Doak had half chances but only that. Belarus, buoyed up by Scottish shortcomings, thought they had levelled through Malashevich. Few could have grudged them that moment."
Scotland secured a 2-1 victory over Belarus but produced a nervy and disjointed performance that left questions over their readiness for the World Cup. Che Adams opened the scoring after 15 minutes from a Jack Hendry pass. Evgeni Malashevich had a 63rd-minute equaliser ruled out after referee review and VAR interventions, and Che Adams was involved in a handling incident that complicated a potential penalty decision. Scott McTominay scored late to ease nerves yet showed little celebration, and Hleb Kuchko later slotted under Angus Gunn to make the finish tense. Steve Clarke faces scrutiny ahead of the remaining Group C fixtures.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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