Scotland’s World Cup hopes remain very much alive after coming from behind to stun Greece 3-1 at Hampden Park.
As Steve Clarke took charge of a record-equalling 71st Scotland game, he was looking to keep hopes of ending a 27-year absence from football’s biggest tournament on track.
But as the Scots struggled, Greece eventually took advantage of their dominance as Kostas Tsimikas fired them in front just after half-time.
That was the spark the Scots needed as Ryan Christie slammed in a quick equaliser before Lewis Ferguson’s first international goal gave them a surprise lead.
Lyndon Dykes added a late third to keep Scotland behind Group C leaders Denmark on goal difference with Belarus next up at Hampden on Sunday.
Scotland’s crucial Hampden victory
Scotland are unbeaten in Group C
It was a subdued atmosphere inside Hampden Park as the Tartan Army felt the nerves of what was at stake.
Greece dominated the opening stages and Vangelis Pavlidis should have had them ahead early on, but failed to head in Tasos Bakasetas’ ball at the back post.
The visitors had most of the possession early on as Steve Clarke’s side looked to use the pace of Ben Gannon-Doak down the left with little success.
There were boos on the half-time whistle which did little to inspire the Scots who were fired another warning from Greece just after the restart when Pavlidis headed Kostas Tsimikas’ ball over the bar.
Stats
Aaron Hickey limped off, replaced by Anthony Ralston, with Gannon-Doak also hooked as Clarke looked to Billy Gilmour to inject some energy into the side.
It was Greece who took a deserved lead as Tsimikas steered the ball into the bottom corner as the Tartan Army feared their World Cup hopes were fading.
But somehow, Scotland were level just minutes later when Christie bundled Grant Hanley’s ball into the net, which was eventually given after a long VAR check for offside.
Ryan Christie equalised for Scotland minutes after coming on
Hampden Park then came to life.
Che Adams saw his effort deflected wide before, somehow, Scotland were ahead as Ferguson smashed Andy Robertson’s ball into the roof of the net for his first international goal.
Both sides were denied late penalty shouts with Angus Gunn producing a fingertip save to stop Konstantelias Karetsas snatching a late draw.
Dykes was gifted his 10th Scotland goal in stoppage time as he was left with an empty net after Konstantinos Tzolakis’ made a mess of trying to keep the ball in on the byline.
The World Cup dream was back on as Flower of Scotland rang around Hampden. A nation continues to believe.
Lyndon Dykes celebrates his 10th Scotland goal vs Greece
Scotland’s World Cup qualifiers
- Belarus (H) – October 12
- Greece (A) – November 15
- Denmark (H) – November 18
This news was originally published on this post .
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