5 days ago
In nan early stages, Scotland looked to beryllium opting for thing different. That is, heading to a awesome tourney while wholly unburdened by expectation. Little Curaçao were embarrassing Steve Clarke and his team. Scottish Football Association large wigs, who handed Clarke a four-year woody successful caller days, were shuffling uncomfortably successful nan plush seats. Excitement was surely raising successful Haiti, Scotland’s first World Cup opponents.
That Scotland played against 10 men for much than a half must beryllium factored successful to study of their recovery. Nonetheless, nan consequence was stirring capable to raise optimism among a protagonist guidelines who will soon grace a World Cup for nan first clip successful 28 years. The Tartan Army remained successful spot to spend Scotland a rousing send-off for nan United States. Victory had yet proved arsenic comfortable arsenic should person been nan case.
Scott McTominay, John McGinn, Kieran Tierney, Lewis Ferguson and Ché Adams were notable absentees having only joined up pinch nan squad connected Friday. The head hinted astatine things to come, particularly against Haiti, pinch nan deployment of 2 strikers. George Hirst joined Lawrence Shankland successful attack. The 43-year-old Craig Gordon started up of Angus Gunn successful goal. Gordon’s world profession had appeared complete successful 2024 arsenic he missed retired connected nan European Championship.
There was method successful this prime of crippled for Scotland beyond nan anticipation (but only that) of triumph earlier a formation to nan United States. Curaçao and Haiti are 1 spot isolated successful nan world rankings.
The commencement to nan crippled had been arsenic timid arsenic 1 could expect from a May friends until Tahith Chong sent nan lively set of Curacao supporters into raptures. Andy Robertson had flashed a ninth-minute thrust wide but Scotland were different impotent. Chong punished that, stunning Hampden successful nan process.
The Sheffield United midfielder collected nan shot connected nan halfway statement pinch a majestic first touch which bamboozled Scott McKenna. Next, Chong strode distant from McKenna’s cardinal protect partner John Souttar. In scoring what should rank among nan astir memorable goals ever scored astatine this celebrated aged venue, Chong wrong-footed Gordon erstwhile wrong nan punishment area and slammed home. It would beryllium an exaggeration to propose Curaçao deserved their lead yet Scotland’s ragged attack truthful adjacent to a awesome tourney was worthy of punishment. Hirst sought to raise nan temper pinch a header that Eloy Room scrambled away. The natives were restless; audible booing met nan first drinks break of nan afternoon.
Controversy arrived earlier nan break. Jürgen Locadia crazily planted an elbow into nan look of Aaron Hickey aft nan Brentford full-back had cleared nan ball. After being urged to return a 2nd look by nan video adjunct referee, Goga Kikacheishvili correctly issued a reddish card. Whether Clarke would person chosen to play against 10 men successful this discourse is unfastened to debate.
What is undeniable is Scotland did not want what happened next. Billy Gilmour collapsed successful a heap aft injuring his correct knee erstwhile playing a regular pass. Gilmour’s demeanour arsenic he near nan section inferred his World Cup dream must beryllium successful doubt. Ominously, he did not subordinate his team-mates for their post-game thigh of honour.
This had proved astir arsenic grim an opening half arsenic Clarke could person imagined until Findlay Curtis, who replaced Gilmour, drew nan hosts level. Curtis swivelled and changeable having collected Kenny McLean’s deflected pass.
A raft of half-time substitutions included an world debut for Tyler Fletcher, boy of erstwhile Scotland skipper Darren. The midfielder had not been named successful nan squad, alternatively 1 of a number of young players brought successful to boost training numbers, pinch Clarke’s determination to present him present truthful intriguing. Fletcher is known to person impressed during sessions successful nan lead-up to Curaçao.
A smart area regular nudged Scotland successful front. Ryan Christie’s eventual transverse to nan beforehand station was met by Shankland. The 30-year-old notched his 5th Scotland extremity pinch a first-time finish, which Room should person dealt with. Shankland whitethorn beryllium lightly raced connected nan world beforehand but remains Scotland’s astir lethal finisher.
Shankland was to beryllium that pinch conscionable nether half an hr to play. This time, nan striker – who will subordinate Rangers erstwhile nan transportation model opens – strode onto a Lyndon Dykes’ laic disconnected and fired beyond Room. Curaçao’s title was run.
Shankland was denied nan opportunity to complete a hat-trick from nan punishment spot, having already been replaced by nan clip Juriën Gaari wiped retired nan lively Curtis. Ryan Christie assumed punishment duties, nan Bournemouth man sending Room nan incorrect way. Next stop, nan grandest shape of all.
