Scotland secures WCQ playoff berth with routine win over Moldova
Chisinau, Nov 12, 2021 (AFP) - Scotland ensured their place in a semi-final playoff for a place at next year's World Cup with a comfortable 2-0 win in Moldova on Friday.
Nathan Patterson and Che Adams struck either side of half-time in Chisinau to give Steve Clarke's men an unassailable lead in second place in Group F behind the already-qualified Denmark.
The Danes travel to Hampden on Monday where Scotland can ensure they will be seeded in the semi-final draw later this month with a win.
A year to the day since ending a 23-year wait to qualify for any major tournament by reaching Euro 2020, Scotland's new-found confidence was on show from the start as they recorded a fifth consecutive victory.
Adams had a goal ruled out for offside inside three minutes.
It took until seven minutes before half-time for the visitors to make the breakthrough when Rangers right-back Patterson blasted home his first international goal from John McGinn's pass.
Patterson has struggled for minutes this season at club level but is establishing himself as a regular for Clarke and played a big part in Scotland's second when his cross was turned in by Adams.
The Southampton striker had a second goal ruled out by the offside flag shortly afterwards.
But Scotland could have faced a nervy finale but for Craig Gordon's penalty save 10 minutes from time to deny Vadim Rata after Patterson was penalised for handball.
HEADLINES
- Menotti, architect of Argentina's 1978 World Cup win, dies at 85
- Report: Canada contacts Solskjaer, Marsch after Mourinho rejects approach
- FIFA president Infantino to earn $4.6M after getting 33% raise
- MetLife Stadium gets 2026 World Cup final as schedule unveiled
- Beckenbauer laid to rest during private ceremony in Munich