Scotland 2 – 1 Belarus

Scotland kept their World Cup qualification hopes alive despite an unconvincing 2-1 win over meaningless Belarus at Hampden Park.

Steve Clarke’s side were unbeaten in Group C and are now at least guaranteed a play-off place following Denmark’s 3-1 win over Greece as they look to end their 27-year exile from football’s biggest tournament, but it was another disappointing display at the National Stadium.

Che Adams opened the scoring against a team ranked 67th below, but chances were tight in the first half.

Scotland had a penalty claim rejected before Belarus had the ball in the net, with relief when it was disallowed for a build-up error.

Scott McTominay scored a crucial second goal late on to ease the Tartan Army’s nerves, as the visitors pulled one back in stoppage time when Hleb Kuczko beat Andy Robertson to slot past Angus Gunn in stoppage time.

With the final qualifiers against Greece and Denmark next month looming, Scotland, which is second in Group C on goal difference, has achieved two wins in its last two matches and will be in the World Cup finals next summer. However, they are now on course to clash with the Danes at the top, with the potential for a winner-take-all thriller at Hampden on November 18.

The torment of the Tartan Army as Scotland struggles for victory

It was a slow start from Scotland with Belarus creating the first chances. Scott McKenna turned German Barkovski’s low cross into a corner kick, Evgeniy Yablonskiy’s shot was blocked and Pavel Zabelin sent a shot just over the bar.

Adams then forced a save from Fedor Lapukhov before sending a low shot into the net just a few minutes later. He was initially flagged for offside and the goal was eventually scored after a VAR check.

The nerves of the Tartan army calmed down a little.

Ben Gannon Doak was the next to threaten, firing the ball into the side netting.

Scotland’s penalty claims were waved off after Adams was brought down inside the box before Barkowski fired over the bar for the visitors as the first half approached.

Lapukhov denied Gannon Doak from scoring twice in stoppage time in the first half as Scotland sought to get the second goal, and Scotland’s dominance continued as the Belarusian goalkeeper made a brilliant save to prevent McTominay from scoring in the second half.

Steve Clarke’s side were screaming for a penalty when Adams was brought down by Igor Parkhomenko, but replays showed the Scot had handled the ball first.

Belarus then put the ball in the net when Evgeniy Malashevich scored past Gann, but the boos quickly turned to cheers when the goal was disallowed due to a foul on McTominay.

The hosts then got another goal – Gannon-Doak sent a cross to Adams only for it to come off his arm before going into goal. But their next try was counted, with McTominay scoring a clever first touch and finishing off the ball with his left foot when Robertson’s cross found its way into his path.

In stoppage time, Scotland were held back, with Kučko taking advantage to set up a nervy finish before boos rang out around Hampden despite maintaining a win over their unbeaten record – and their World Cup dreams.

Clark: “It’s a head scratcher.”

Scotland Head coach Steve Clark:

“It’s probably as frustrating as it has been for the 72 games (I’ve been in charge). We didn’t show up.

“But before I go down that road and you start asking me questions about why I feel this way, it’s also good to point out that a performance doesn’t qualify you. And tonight was certainly not a performance.”

“But we got three points, which is six points from the double header, so we’re really happy with that, as everyone with a Scottish connection would be.

“It’s a head scratcher, but I’ll go away, I’ll take a look, we’ll analyze it.

“Tonight we got the win but I’m disappointed with the team’s performance as their head coach.

“I’ve been sitting here so many times saying how good they are and how great a group of players they are. And they are. That doesn’t change.

“But that doesn’t mean to say that, as their head coach, sometimes I can’t be disappointed in them.

“I told them in the dressing room, so they knew what my feelings were.

“But I have a lot of faith in them and I have complete confidence in them. I know they’ll be a different animal next month.”