Scotland’s fate back in own hands after Hampden victory
SCOTLAND NOW have their World Cup qualification hopes in their own hands after a crucial, if unspectacular, 2-0 win over minnows Malta at Hampden Park.
Defender Christophe Berra headed in a Leigh Griffiths corner in the ninth minute of a flat and insipid first-half before the Celtic striker added a second from close range four minutes after the restart.
The two-goal cushion allowed attention to turn firmly to Wembley, where Group F leaders England came from behind to beat second-place Slovakia 2-1.
With two fixtures remaining, Gordon Strachan’s side moved on to 14 points, one behind the Slovaks who visit Glasgow next month before Scotland travel to Slovenia for the final fixture. Two wins would secure second spot and a play-off place.
Scotland, who stretched their unbeaten run in the section to four games, will have to play a lot better in their final two matches to keep hopes of reaching Russia alive but at least those hopes remain intact. There was renewed optimism among the home fans following the 3-0 win in Lithuania on Friday night with Strachan fielding an unchanged side.
It was far from a frantic start to the game but midfielders Stuart Armstrong and James McArthur, winger James Forrest and Robertson all had efforts on goal before Scotland scored.
Griffiths’ corner had led to Armstrong’s opener in Vilnius and a similar delivery from the right saw Hearts defender Berra climb above Samuel Magri to head in from six yards.
There was a hint of offside about Griffiths’ goal just after the break. Armstrong played in Robertson whose cut-back was turned against the post by James Morrison, on for McArthur at half-time, with Parkhead attacker Griffiths left with the easiest of tap-ins from four yards.