FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Qualifiers
Scotland 3-2 Israel
Tuesday, 21 September 2021, kick-off 5pm 
Hampden Park, Glasgow

Scorers

Scotland: McGinn (29’), Dykes (55’), McTominay (90’)
Israel: Zahavi (4’), Dabbur (31’)

It was a frantic night at Hampden Park as Scott McTominay’s late goal kept Scotland second in Group F. Israel took the lead twice but a sparkling second half display from Steve Clarke’s side ensured Scotland came away with all three points – albeit a dramatic finish.

Team News

Scott McTominay was recalled to the starting 11 after missing out on September’s qualifiers through injury. Scotland’s only other change from the victory over Austria came in the form of Nathan Patterson who got the nod at right wing-back.

Celtic midfielder Nir Bitton returned to the Israel line-up for what Willi Ruttensteiner labelled a must win game.

As it happened

Scotland’s first chance came within the opening minute of play. After some neat link up between Gilmour, McGinn and Patterson, the ball was cut back towards Adams who fired his shot into the gloves of Marciano.

However, it was Israel who took the lead after just four minutes. Some close control between Dabbur and Zahavi seen the latter brought down just 25-yards from goal. Zahavi made no mistake with the free-kick, curling the ball into the top left corner beyond the reach of Craig Gordon.

With a quarter of an hour gone Lyndon Dykes fashioned Scotland’s second big chance of the match. Dykes drove forward into the Israel box before cutting onto his left foot and firing low across goal – only for Marciano to make a smart stop with his feet.



Scotland grew into the half and eventually got themselves level just before the half hour mark. A surging forward run by Robertson who linked up well with Dykes on the edge of the area. Robertson then teed up John McGinn who delivered an inch-perfect finish - curling the ball into the top left corner from the edge of the area.

However the lead was short lived for the Scots. A free kick from midway inside the Scotland half caused a scramble in the penalty area, where Dabbur eventually found himself yards from goal to tap home and restore Israel’s lead after 31 minutes. .

With the half time whistle approaching Scotland were awarded a penalty following a rash challenge on Billy Gilmour – right on the edge of the box. Dykes stepped up and smashed the ball low down the centre of the goal, only for Marciano to remain unmoved and save with his feet. The Scots went in behind after an all action first 45.

Scotland started the second half brightly with Gilmour dictating the play from midfield. It was in the wide areas where Scotland looked most dangerous, with Robertson, Tierney and Patterson all testing the strength of the Israel defence with some teasing deliveries.

The hosts continued pressure paid off after 55 minutes when Lyndon Dykes studded the ball home on the volley from an Andy Robertson cross. The referee initially ruled for a foul, claiming Dykes’ high boot caught Israel defender Ofri Arad who tried to head clear. There was certainly a tense atmosphere inside Hampden Park as referee Szymon Marciniak checked the VAR monitor before overturning his decision and awarding the Scots another well-earned equaliser.



It was frantic as Scotland almost went ahead moments later. This time it was Tierney’s cross from the left flank which found Dykes inside the six yard box forcing Marciano into a sharp save to deny Scotland the lead.

The remainder of the second half was certainly not short of chances. The hosts remained on top and came close after some well worked corners. John McGinn came close to finding a winner just minutes from time after a cut back from Christie found him in the middle of the box, but his effort was blocked on the line by Marciano.

Deep into injury time Scott McTominay stepped up. Scotland continued to press and found themselves with yet another corner. McGinn’s cross was flicked on to McTominay at the back post who poked it home from close range to seal all three points for the Scots – sending Hampden Park into delirium.

It was a performance that merited all three points for Steve Clarke’s side who dominated possession, shots and corners on the night.

Next Up

Scotland continue their quest for World Cup qualification on Tuesday when they take on the Faroe Islands in Tórshavn. The game is live on Sky Sports Main Event with a 7:45pm kick off.

Teams

Scotland: Gordon, McTominay, Tierney, Hendry, Robertson (c), McGinn, McGregor, Gilmour (Cooper 90’), Patterson,  Dykes, Adams (Christie 66’)

Unused substitutes: Kelly (GK), McLaughlin (GK), O'Donnell, McKenna, Ferguson, Armstrong, Turnbull, Fraser, McLean, Nisbet

Israel: Marciano (GK), Dasa, Abaid, Menachem (Davidzada 87’), Arad (Kinda 73’), Natcho (c) (Glazer 65’), Peretz, Solomon, Bitton, Zahavi, Dabbur (Weissman 65’)

Unused substitutes: Nitzan (GK),  Peretz, Gotlieb, Hanna, Shamir, Cohen, Podgoreanu, Abada