Scotland secured a 2-0 victory over Belarus in their World Cup qualifying match, prompting manager Steve Clarke to praise the team’s ‘solid start’ to the campaign. Goals from Che Adams and an own goal ensured the win, placing Scotland second in Group C. Clarke highlighted the importance of the clean sheet and the contributions of young players like Billy Gilmour. Scotland’s strong form in World Cup qualifiers continues, fueling hopes for qualification to the 2026 World Cup.
Steve Clarke has expressed his delight with Scotland's "solid start" to their World Cup qualifying campaign, following a dominant 2-0 victory over Belarus. The win, secured behind closed doors at the ZTE-Arena in Hungary, propels Scotland to second place in Group C, intensifying their aspirations for the 2026 World Cup.
Scotland's journey began with a hard-fought 0-0 draw against Denmark, a result that instilled confidence within the squad. The subsequent triumph against Belarus further solidified their position as contenders in the group. The match saw Scotland take the lead just before halftime, courtesy of a well-executed play. Scott McTominay delivered a precise pass to Che Adams, who finished with composure in the 43rd minute.
Earlier in the game, Billy Gilmour was unlucky not to find the net, as his shot struck the woodwork. Gilmour continued to be a threat in the second half, and his header was inadvertently turned into the net by Zakhar Volkov in the 65th minute, sealing the victory for Scotland.
Clarke emphasized the significance of maintaining a second consecutive clean sheet, highlighting it as a foundation for their campaign. "It was a tough night. I expected the reaction Belarus gave," Clarke told BBC Scotland. "They started big guys and filled the middle of the park. We kept prodding, doing what we wanted to do. The message was just to stay patient, and we managed to do that."
"It's a good start, a solid start. Four points will never qualify you for anything. It's nice to go home with a smile on your face, but I'm already thinking about next month," Clarke added, already looking ahead to the challenges that lie ahead.
Clarke also praised the contributions of young talents like Billy Gilmour and Ben Doak stating, "Billy and Ben are two players who excite the public. My job is to pick a team to win the game. Both of them did very well."
Scotland's recent form in World Cup qualifiers has been impressive, losing only one of their last 18 matches (W12 D5). Their defensive solidity was also on display, keeping clean sheets in each of their last five qualifiers.
The attacking statistics further highlight Scotland's dominance in the game against Belarus. They accumulated 1.98 expected goals (xG) from their 14 shots, while limiting Belarus to just 0.33 xG.
Gilmour echoed Clarke's sentiments, emphasizing the positives to be taken from the September camp and expressing optimism for the future. "Hard night without the fans, but the whole team did well," Gilmour told BBC Scotland.
"It's good to play football – no one wants to sit on the bench, but we've got a good squad here. Even against Denmark, I thought we played really well. Two good performances this camp, and hopefully the next one's the same. We're all in good spirits. We knew how important it was to start well, and we've done that."
The victory sets a positive tone for Scotland's World Cup qualifying campaign, and with a blend of experienced players and promising young talents, they are well-positioned to compete for a spot in the 2026 World Cup. The focus remains on maintaining consistency and building upon the solid foundation established in their opening matches.