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Steve Clarke’s men travel to the Middle East boosted by John McGinn’s stunning overhead kick to seal a dramatic point against Austria at Hampden Park.
McGinn’s acrobatics got Scotland off to a solid start in qualifying for the 2022 World Cup in a group that also contains Austria, Denmark, Israel, Faroe Islands, and Moldova.
The first-ever fixture between these sides occurred in February 1981 when Kenny Dalglish’s 54th-minute goal was the difference between the sides.
Here’s Dalglish’s goal below:
Scotland and Israel have faced each other three times during the 2020/21 season. Two draws were played out, with the October fixture leading to David Marshall’s penalty heroics, which led to Scotland facing Serbia in the Nations League Final.
Scotland subsequently beat Serbia on penalties to qualify for the European Championship’s occurring this year. Marshall was again the saviour.
Last time out…
Scotland’s aim for promotion into Nations League A was shattered in Netanya, with Israel getting their revenge for Scotland’s semi-final play-off triumph.
Israel’s slick counterattack on the verge of half-time sent the hosts on the way to a narrow one-nil victory.
Eran Zahavi and Manor Solomon linked up neatly, with the Shakhtar Donetsk winger flummoxing Scott McTominay before sending a rasping effort into the bottom corner.
Scotland also missed out on a potential World Cup play-off for Nations League group winners. This would’ve given Scotland two chances to qualify for the 2022 World Cup.
“In a year we’ve come a long way. We shouldn’t forget that and go back to the negative ways about the national team. We’ve got a lot to look forward to.”
“We need to keep improving and if we want to keep improving then we need to learn to capitalise on the moments in the game when we are on top” Scotland Manager, Steve Clarke after his teams disappointing loss to Israel.
Israel’s home victory signalled a possible hangover from Scotland’s play-off high three months previous. The reaction to the defeat shows that expectations have risen from the Tartan Army.
Highlights from the fixture here:
Scotland…
Scotland looks to get their first win of the 2022 World Cup Qualifiers after an exciting two all draw with Austria on Thursday night.
Scotland lined up as follows:
15 minutes to go – here's a reminder of your Scotland team.#SCOAUT pic.twitter.com/GNJUQdeADZ
— Scotland National Team (@ScotlandNT) March 25, 2021
The first half was an entertaining affair with Austria the better team, but Scotland started to get into the game late on in the second half.
Scotland’s best chance of the first half fell to Ryan Christie in the 41st minute. Lyndon Dykes intercepted goalkeeper Alexander Schlager’s pass and laid the ball off to Christie, whose low shot was saved by the recovering Austrian stopper.
Austria took the lead on the 55th minute when David Marshall could only parry Florian Grillitsch’s piledriver into the path of Sasa Kalajdzic. The VfB Stuttgart striker finished confidently.
Scotland equalised on the 71st minute when Grant Hanley powered Stephen O’Donnell’s flighted free-kick past Schlager’s to restore parity.
⚽️ Grant Hanley's header levels the score at Hampden.#SCOAUT pic.twitter.com/Iq5DSNGOMj
— Scotland National Team (@ScotlandNT) March 25, 2021
The Austrian’s regained the lead on the 80th minute. Stefan Lainer’s cross was again met by Kalajdzic, who sent an excellent header past David Marshall.
‘It’s the hope that kills you” is a phrase associated with Scottish sport over the years, but Steve Clarke’s men are working to banish the demons of the past.
John McGinn’s exquisite overhead kick from Ryan Christie’s header was a signal of change. McGinn’s stunner sealed a vital point that Scotland teams of the past would fail to achieve from a losing position.
? Super @jmcginn7 #SCOAUTpic.twitter.com/rmO3L4DZrw
— Scotland National Team (@ScotlandNT) March 25, 2021
Comedian Ray Bradshaw summed up what McGinn’s goal means for the nation:
John Mcginn just scored the goal that every fan has dreamed of scoring for Scotland.
— Ray Bradshaw (@comedyray) March 25, 2021
Read Cameron Anderson-Jones’ piece about the game in further detail
Southampton Striker Ché Adams made his debut on Thursday and could be pushing for a start in Tel Aviv on Sunday, with Lyndon Dykes in poor form.
Ryan Fraser may also be looking for a start to add some pace and energy into the Scotland attack. Declan Gallagher could also slot back into Scotland’s back three.
One to watch: John McGinn
Aston Villa’s powerful midfielder now has eight goals under Clarke for Scotland. After being moved to a more advanced role in the latter stages of Thursday night, McGinn may become Scotland’s talisman and is hoping to continue his good form in Tel Aviv.
Israel…
The Blue and Whites got their Qualifying campaign off to a poor start on Thursday night.
They slipped to a disappointing two-nil loss against group favourites Denmark in Tel Aviv.
Israel lined up as follows:
Marciano, Dasa, Elhamed, Tibi, Abu Hanna, Menachem, Solomon, Natcho, Peretz, Dabbur, Zahavi
Denmark took an early lead in the 13th minute when Martin Braithwaite got onto a Jonas Wind’s flick-on. The Barcelona striker made no mistake, deftly flicking the ball over Marciano for the opener.
Wind then compounded the Israeli’s misery in the 67th minute after confusion in the Israel defence allowed the striker to volley a shot past Marciano, extending Denmark’s lead.
Highlights here:
https://www.uefa.com/european-qualifiers/match/2030780–israel-vs-denmark/
Israel will be hoping to get their campaign back on track and have previous experience in beating Scotland at home.
Key players like Dabbhur, Zahavi and Solomon will be key if they can edge what is likely to be a tight clash between team’s that know each other well.
Star Man: Eran Zahavi
PSV Eindhoven’s number seven is now 33 and has been a stalwart for Israel over his 60 caps. He’s scored an impressive 24 goals in that period and will be hoping to torment the Scottish defence once again, with trickery and knowledge that flows with abundance from the veteran.
Prediction…
Israel will be boosted by the 5000 plus crowd who will attend the fixture. Could this be the game-changer in a usually tight affair between two well-matched teams? Ché Adams will be looking to spoil the Israeli’s night as he looks for his first goal in a Scotland shirt. One goal will likely decide the game either way.
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