Austria 0-1 Scotland: Lyndon Dykes spot on again after netting a first-half penalty to secure crucial World Cup qualifying win... which moves Steve Clarke's side into second place in their group
- Scotland picked up an important 1-0 World Cup qualifying win against Austria
- Lyndon Dykes netted a first-half penalty after VAR awarded a foul on Che Adams
- Goalkeeper Craig Gordon came to the visitors' rescue late on with a superb save
- The result means that Scotland are in second place in a closely-fought Group F
Scotland made no secret of not being able to lose this game, not that you could detect any fear during a courageous victory that puts them on course for a World Cup play-off berth.
There were murmurings of discontent among one or two ex-players when the noises emanating from the Scottish camp beforehand appeared to be satisfaction should they emerge with a point.
They need not have worried. Steve Clarke's side were magnificent and jumped into second spot in Group F thanks to Lyndon Dykes' first-half penalty.
Footy world in shock as cult hero and legend Terry Hill dies aged 52
Footy star sues team for allegedly making 35 teammates 'assault' him
Tyreek Hill claims Travis Kelce accepts a 'friendly' $14m contract
Related Articles
Their next fixture is at home to third-placed Israel next month, and already that has the look of a play-off for the play-offs.
Clarke, evidently miffed by some criticism, said: 'Some people in the country really don't believe in this group of players, but I do. I love my players. I trust them.
'We're looking forward to a full house at Hampden Park for the next game. It's a cup final.'
Scotland were solid at the back and fluid in attack. But perhaps this performance was to be expected given nine of the 10 outfield starters from June's goalless draw with England were involved, and that night at Wembley was easily the standout display of Clarke's reign. Until now.
There was, though, a degree of good fortune to their winning goal on the half hour - both because of the VAR intervention in awarding the penalty and then when Dykes' low smash wormed through goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann.
'It wasn't one of my best penalties,' said the QPR striker.
But there was also an element of misfortune, for Austria defender Martin Hinteregger should have seen a second yellow for his attempt to remove the shirt from Che Adams' back in conceding the spot-kick.
Not that it mattered, Austria could have had 12 men and still not been a match for the tenacity of the brilliant Scots.
Comments
Comments
{{formattedShortCount}}
comments