Belgium too good for Scotland in UNL warm up

Scotland 0 : 4 Belgium

Belgium dominated this friendly at Hampden, beating Scotland by four goals to nil.  Michy Batshuayi scored twice, with Eden Hazard and Romelu Lukaka also netting.

The Red Devils though needed a late first half error by Scotland keeper Craig Gordon to take the lead.

After catching the ball comfortably, he could have cleared upfield but rchose to roll the ball out to Jack McGinn who was facing goal. He was immediately dispossessed by Mousa Dembele. He found Hazard who rolled the ball to Lukaku. That made it 1-0 and Belgium never looked back.

The second half started as badly for Scotland. In less than a minute, a left footed effort from Eden Hazard beat Gordon after he had bamboozled the outfielders with two footed ease. Five minutes later, second half substitute Michy Batshuayi found himself in acres of space and gave Gordon no chance for the third.

The visitors completed the scoring after an interception inside the Scotland half, Batshuayi completing his brace and Scotland’s bleak night.

Left backs Andrew Robertson and Kieran Tierney both started for Scotland but that provided neither defensive solidity nor an attacking threat down the left. As Belgium took their foot of the pedal, Scotland finally created some chances with Steven Naismith and Johnny Russell failing to convert the best of them.

Despite his involvement in the first goal, John McGinn was Scotland’s best player. Eden Hazard shone for Belgium in his 55 minutes and was applauded off by both sets of fans

Scotland return to Hampden on Monday to face Albania in the UEFA Nations League.

More reaction to follow from Scotland v Belgium.