Scotland vs Belgium
European Qualifiers Group I
7:45pm Monday 9th September

Hampden Park

Scotland suffered more Hampden misery by Belgium as a defeat made it four declines from six European Qualifiers.
Kevin De Bruyne set up first-half goals for Thomas Vermaelen Romelu Lukaku and Toby Alderweireld as Scotland were penalized for poor.
The negative of steve Clarke were aggressive after the break but the scoring rounded off in the 82nd minute to make it 11 goals without reply against Scotland in 12 weeks.
The defeat leaves Scotland in position in Group I, nine points off second-placed Russia with four matches remaining, the next one a trip to Moscow.
Scotland suffered an equal defeat at a friendly last year and now Clarke is finding it no easier to get the team working, enduring a third defeat in his first four matches.
Scotland started positively As they’d done three times earlier after Robert Snodgrass sent a free-kick into the 39, but any outbreak of optimism at the home support was immediately snuffed out in the ninth minute.
Each Scotland player was beyond the circle in the Belgian half and the visitors broke following winning the header, clinically.
Dries Mertens conquer on Stephen and also seen De Bruyne’s sprint down the left wing. Andy Robertson found himself scattered contrary to Lukaku and the Manchester City playmaker, and also the through-ball and finish were excellent.
Snodgrass delivered some crosses while Scotland were found needing airborne balls in their box , but Belgium defended them.
The goal came later De Bruyne took a brief corner in the 24th minute. Robertson was slow at providing help for the outnumbered Callum McGregor and De Bruyne sent in a cross which Vermaelen knocked at home from six yards after escaping the attentions of both Kenny McLean.
The third goal was more straightforward. Alderweireld headed in off the bar from 12 yards and conquer Charlie Mulgrew into the corner of De Bruyne.
Matty Phillips got a attack on goal from the lay-off of Ryan Christie however Thibaut Courtois got down comfortably.
Belgium may have scored more in the first half. Youri Tielemans volleyed a yard wide from 22 yards after De Bruyne and Liam Cooper’s weak header set up further chances for Thomas Meunier and for Lukaku, the top of which the Inter Milan striker volleyed wide.
David Marshall made a brilliant stop following the Napoli wide guy was given liberty to run in the box, although scott McTominay needed a shot saved in 30 seconds of the restart as Scotland came out determined to restore a while.
Robertson had a shot saved in the tight angle after Christie pass following O’Donnell went down at the box, along with the home fans were on their feet, however the right-back was booked for diving.
Scotland huffed and puffed after having a sooner opportunity, once he swept the ball into the corner out of the pass of Lukaku but De Bruyne got the goal his first play deserved.
Victory there would render them needing much to seal a top-two spot, although scotland will miss the McTominay in Moscow once he picked up his booking of the campaign. They will certainly look ahead rather following their Nations League achievement next March to a home play-off.
Scotland is going to be sick of the sight of De Bruyne.
Even the Man City star has had a direct hand in seven goals in only four games versus Scotland (2 goals, five assists), such as scoring and assisting three goals in Hampden Park.
Scotland manager Steve Clarke was disappointed with his side’s safeguarding and admitted it is tricky to discover positives.
Roberto Martinez says he was extremely happy with how challenging his side claimed maintaining a clean sheet was the aspect and worked in their 4-0 win against Scotland.

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