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

Hampden Park

Scotland endured Hampden misery by Belgium as a 4-0 defeat made it four losses out of six Qualifiers.
Kevin De Bruyne set up first-half goals for Romelu Lukaku, Thomas Vermaelen and Toby Alderweireld since Scotland were punished for poor defending.
The negative of steve Clarke were aggressive after the break but the scoring rounded off in the 82nd minute to create it 11 Belgian targets without reply against Scotland in 12 weeks.
The defeat leaves Scotland in fifth position in Group I, nine things away second-placed Russia with four games remaining, the next one a trip to Moscow.
Last year scotland suffered an defeat beneath Alex McLeish in September in a friendly and Clarke is finding it no easier to find the team working, enduring a beat in his first four matches.
Scotland started As they’d done three days before after a free-kick was delivered by Robert Snodgrass into the box, but any outbreak of moderate optimism at the house support was snuffed out in the ninth minute.
Every Scotland player was outside the circle at the half and the visitors broke clinically following winning the header.
Dries Mertens spotted De Bruyne’s sprint down the left wing and defeat Stephen. Andy Robertson found himself isolated against the Manchester City playmaker and Lukaku, along with also the through-ball and finish were excellent.
Snodgrass delivered some threatening crosses nevertheless they were defended by Belgium , while Scotland were found needing airborne balls.
The goal came later De Bruyne took a short corner in the 24th minute. Robertson was in providing help for the outnumbered Callum 11, slow and De Bruyne sent which Vermaelen knocked at home from six yards after escaping the attentions of both Kenny McLean.
The target, eight minutes later, was more straightforward. Alderweireld beat Charlie Mulgrew to the corner of De Bruyne and led in off the bar.
Thibaut Courtois got down comfortably although matty Phillips obtained a 25-yard strike in Ryan Christie’s lay-off on goal.
Belgium could have scored in the first halfof the Youri Tielemans volleyed a yard wide from 22 yards after Liam Cooper’s poor header and De Bruyne set additional chances up for Thomas Meunier and for Lukaku, the best of which the Inter Milan striker volleyed wide from 10 metres.
Scott McTominay had a shot after the Napoli man was granted liberty to run in the box, but David Marshall made a brilliant stop from Mertens.
Robertson had a shot saved after Christie’s incisive pass from a tight angle after O’Donnell went down at the box, along with the home supporters were on their feet, but the right-back was properly booked for diving.
Scotland huffed and puffed after having a earlier chance, once he caught the ball to the corner from the pass of Lukaku, but De Bruyne got the goal his play deserved.
Scotland will overlook the McTominay that is suspended in Moscow later he picked up his reservation of the campaign, but even victory there would realistically leave them needing much to seal a spot. They will certainly look rather to a home March following their Nations League success.
Scotland will probably be sick of the sight of De Bruyne.
The Man City star has had a direct hand in seven goals in only four games versus Scotland (two goals, five assists), such as scoring once and assisting three goals in Hampden Park.
Scotland director Steve Clarke was disappointed with his side’s safeguarding and confessed it is difficult to locate positives from the defeat to Belgium.
Roberto Martinez says he was extremely pleased with how challenging his side claimed maintaining a clean sheet was the aspect and functioned in their 4-0 win against Scotland.

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