Scott McTominay scored his fifth objective in Euro 2024 Qualifying as Scotland retained their 100 per cent report in Group A by beating Georgia 2-0 at Hampden Park, which noticed a protracted delay because of a waterlogged pitch.
The sport started in torrential circumstances after a hour-long downpour drenched the stadium. Nevertheless, Scotland managed to take the lead within the seven minutes that have been performed because of Callum McGregor’s well-taken strike.
Play didn’t restart after the objective as referee Istvan Vad signalled for the gamers to return to the dressing rooms because the grounds employees, SFA employees and ball girls and boys started clearing the water from the floor.
It started an hour and 40 minutes of pitch inspections, delays and Georgian mutiny because the away group refused to return to the the pitch as they regarded to have the sport postponed till Wednesday.
Nevertheless, they ultimately emerged after a 3rd test on circumstances by the referee – who accurately concluded the circumstances have been OK to play in – and the sport ultimately restarted simply earlier than 9.35pm.
Scotland at all times regarded the extra possible so as to add one other objective, selecting up from the place they left off. McTominay made certain of the three factors instantly after half-time – at round 10.30pm – along with his fifth objective of the marketing campaign, following doubles in opposition to Cyprus and Spain.
Georgia had just a few late alternatives, and missed the possibility for a late comfort as Napoli ahead Kvicha Kvaratskhelia fired a penalty into the stands.
It could not have mattered an excessive amount of any approach as Scotland took one other enormous step in direction of qualifying for Euro 2024, successful all of their opening 4 qualifying video games for the primary time. They continue to be high of Group A with 12 factors – eight factors forward of Norway in second.
However supervisor Steve Clarke was fast to maintain Scottish ft on the bottom, telling Viaplay Sports activities: “We’re not going to qualify with 12 factors. We regarded on the first half of the marketing campaign and we wished to get as many factors as we might with three residence video games and a troublesome sport in Norway.
“We’re considering can we get a factors tally that provides us an opportunity within the second half. The faster we are able to get the factors required to qualify, the higher.”
How Scotland gained once more in testing circumstances
It was clear from kick-off that the torrential circumstances would have an effect, with floor water spraying off the pitch.
Georgia might have smuggled residence an early objective as Otar Kiteishvili’s shot bumbled previous the far submit.
However inside six minutes, Scotland took the lead. John McGinn’s nook was partially cleared on the close to submit, earlier than rolling into the center of the world the place McGregor was ready to strike, firing previous Georgia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili.
There was a VAR test after the objective – which was ultimately allowed to face – nevertheless it was the suspension of the match minutes later that stole the headlines.
After one hour and 40 minutes of chaos, play resumed at 9.35pm and Scotland might have doubled their lead quickly after the restart. Andy Robertson’s effort was pushed away after a driving run, earlier than Lyndon Dykes nodded a nice effort simply previous the submit.
Within the remaining 5 minutes of an prolonged first half, an unmarked McGinn additionally despatched a header previous the submit after a nice cross from Kieran Tierney, earlier than McTominay noticed his effort pushed across the submit by Mamardashvili.
Scotland’s Callum McGregor celebrates after making it 1-0 vs Georgia
Scotland instantly doubled their lead when the second half resumed at 10.30pm. Tierney’s lengthy go was cleared by Georgia, however solely so far as the ready McTominay, who fired a nice strike into the underside nook to proceed his wonderful worldwide type.
The hosts continued to create half possibilities. McGregor noticed an effort from vary go extensive, as did McTominay. Ryan Porteous also needs to have had his title on the scoresheet, however steered his header over the crossbar.
Georgia started to probe for a objective because the clock ticked in direction of 90 minutes – and previous 11pm. Within the 74th minute, Otar Kakabadze’s low cross was flicked away by Angus Gunn, however solely landed so far as Georges Mikautadze who lashed his effort into the aspect of the online.
The drama was not but over. Georgia have been awarded a last-minute penalty as Aaron Hickey was penalised for handball following a VAR evaluate. Star participant Kvaratskhelia lined it up however in an effort that epitomised his nation’s night, blazed it into the every-emptying crowd as Scotland got here away with three well-deserved factors.
Clarke stays centered on Euros qualification
Scotland supervisor Steve Clarke to Viaplay Sports activities:
“It was a very unusual, surreal evening, however we did a very powerful factor and received the three factors and it is a actually good first half of the marketing campaign.
“I mentioned we’d enhance and I believe I have been confirmed proper. I believe we are able to enhance extra, we might be higher. There was a spell within the second half the place I assumed we might transfer the ball a bit of bit higher to take the sting out of the sport.
“However I am actually pleased with them. First 4, nevertheless it’d be good to make it 5.
“However you understand what soccer’s like. In case you get too far forward of your self it may come again and kick you on the bottom. We simply keep centered and ensure we get the factors tally that does qualify us.”
On the lengthy delay because of a waterlogged pitch: “The gamers have been magnificent. They stayed centered on the sport, got here out to warm-up I do not know what number of occasions.
“However I’ve to say the gang. Each time the gamers got here out to warm-up, they crowd have been there singing and cheering and letting the gamers know they have been there to assist them. It might have been straightforward for folks to float away however they stayed with the group and we actually recognize that.
“The Georgian boys have been trying on the approach the pitch was in the beginning on the sport and have been considering it was nonetheless the identical. When each groups have been within the tunnel one of many occasions we got here out, you possibly can see it was pouring once more and on the again of that, they have been considering the pitch would not be any higher.
“However the pitch did begin to drain. The volunteers, an enormous point out for them as effectively, on the market sweeping the water off the pitch and doing all the things they’ll to get the sport on.
“And when Georgia got here out and had a glance within the warm-up, they might see the pitch is ok. We received there ultimately.”
Scotland-Georgia suspended – the complete timeline
7.47pm: Scotland vs Georgia kicks off in torrential circumstances, with water splashing with each transfer from the gamers and the ball repeatedly getting caught.
7.53pm: Callum McGregor places Scotland forward after six minutes.
7.54pm: There’s a reported VAR test on the objective because the referee Istvan Vad consults with officers on the touchline. The Hungarian official then speaks to each captains – in addition to some gamers making an attempt to intervene – concerning the enjoying circumstances.
7.57pm: The gamers and match officers return to the dressing rooms as grounds employees, SFA employees and ball girls and boys start sweeping the pitch of floor water.
Referee Istvan Vad ordered the gamers off as the sport between Scotland and Georgia was suspended because of enjoying circumstances
8pm: UEFA confirms the sport could be suspended for 20 minutes to permit the floor water to be cleared, when a primary pitch inspection would happen.
8.15pm: The referee and an accompanying match official make their first pitch inspection as employees proceed to work on clearing the floor.
8.21pm: The pitch doesn’t go the primary inspection, with one other scheduled for 8.35pm. It is usually reported that if the sport just isn’t performed on Tuesday night, it could be rescheduled for Wednesday, both at Hampden Park or St Mirren if Hampden Park was deemed unplayable.
8.33pm: The referee and an accompanying match official conduct a second pitch inspection, as each groups, backroom employees and affiliation officers congregate by the dugouts, ready for a choice.
8.40pm: It’s introduced the gamers will come out for a ten minute warm-up at 8.45pm. The referee would seek the advice of with the captains and in the event that they agreed, play would resume at 8.55pm.
8.45pm: Each units of gamers emerge for his or her warm-up as rain begins to fall once more. Nevertheless, the ball is rolling effectively alongside the floor, with the objective mouths nonetheless receiving probably the most consideration.
8.59pm: The gamers had again down the tunnel – a lot to the bemusement of the Scotland followers and gamers.
Scotland captain Andy Robertson reacts after one other delay at Hampden Park
9.02pm: The restart time is pushed again to 9.15pm.
9.11pm: The Scotland participant emerge from the tunnel, able to resume the sport. Nevertheless, there is no such thing as a signal of the Georgia gamers.
9.17pm: Viaplay Sports activities stories that the Georgia group are refusing to come back again out to restart the sport. The Scotland gamers stay on the pitch, persevering with their second warm-up.
9.19pm: The referee emerges once more with the ball underneath his arm, and conducts one other mini pitch inspection, to the persevering with annoyance of the gamers and followers.
9.22pm: The restart time is delayed once more till 9.30pm. The Scotland followers air their frustrations, because the gamers applaud them for his or her endurance. They quickly return to the dressing room as soon as once more.
9.25pm: The Georgia gamers emerge from their dressing room to a refrain of boos from the house followers.
9.29pm: The restart is delayed as soon as extra to 9.35pm.
9.34pm: The Scotland gamers come again out onto the pitch to an enormous roar as play restarts – an hour and 40 minutes after the sport was initially suspended.
A soggy Scotland – in photos!
Opta stats – Scotland on the double once more
- Scotland have gained 10 consecutive qualifying matches (Euros + World Cup) for the primary time, protecting eight clear sheets throughout this run (play-off video games excluded).
- Georgia have misplaced a aggressive match for the primary time since October 2021 vs Greece, having gone unbeaten throughout their final 10 such matches previous to tonight (W8 D2).
- Scotland have scored no less than twice in 4 consecutive matches for the primary time since June-September 1983.
- Scotland have gained six consecutive residence matches with Steve Clarke on the helm for the primary time, their most underneath a selected supervisor since a run of seven from August 1995 to April 1997 with Craig Brown.
What’s subsequent?
Scotland’s subsequent Euro 2024 qualifier is away to Cyprus on September 8. Kick-off 7.45pm.
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