Scotland vs Belgium
European Qualifiers Group I
7:45pm Monday 9th September
Hampden Park
Scotland endured more Hampden misery by Belgium because a 4-0 defeat made it four declines in six Qualifiers.
Kevin De Bruyne set up targets for Romelu Lukaku, Thomas Vermaelen and Toby Alderweireld since Scotland were punished for poor defending.
The negative of steve Clarke were much more competitive after the break but the scoring rounded off in the 82nd minute to create it 11 Belgian goals without reply against Scotland within 12 months.
The defeat leaves Scotland in place in Group I, nine things off Russia with four games remaining.
Last year, scotland suffered an identical defeat under Alex McLeish in September at a friendly and Clarke is finding it easier to find the team working, suffering a defeat in his first four matches after devoting targets.
Scotland started As they had done three times earlier after a free-kick was delivered by Robert Snodgrass into the box, but any epidemic of optimism in the house support was snuffed out in the ninth minute.
Each Scotland player was beyond the circle at the half and the people broke after winning the header clinically.
Dries Mertens conquer on Stephen O’Donnell into the ball and seen De Bruyne’s sprint. Andy Robertson found himself isolated from the Manchester City playmaker and Lukaku, along with also the through-ball and finish were excellent.
Snodgrass delivered some spans but Belgium defended them, while Scotland were found needing airborne balls in their box.
The goal came following De Bruyne took a brief corner . Robertson was at providing help for its outnumbered Callum 11, slow and De Bruyne sent in a cross which Vermaelen knocked at home from six yards after escaping Kenny McLean’s attentions.
The target, eight minutes later, was more straightforward. Alderweireld led from 12 yards off the bar and conquer Charlie Mulgrew into the corner of De Bruyne.
Matty Phillips acquired a 25-yard strike in Ryan Christie’s lay-off on goal but Thibaut Courtois gained.
Belgium might have scored in the first half. Youri Tielemans volleyed a yard wide from 22 yards after Liam Cooper’s poor defensive header and De Bruyne set opportunities up for Thomas Meunier and two more for Lukaku, the finest where the Inter Milan striker volleyed wide from 10 metres.
David Marshall made an excellent stop from Mertens following the Napoli guy was given freedom to run into the box, although scott McTominay had 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’s incisive pass after O’Donnell went down at the box, along with the home fans were on their toes, however the right-back was booked for diving.
Scotland huffed and puffed after having a great earlier chance, when he swept the ball into the corner out of the pass of Lukaku, but De Bruyne got the goal his play deserved.
Scotland will miss the McTominay that is suspended at Moscow later he picked up his third party reservation of the campaign, but even victory there would leave them needing much to seal a place. They will surely look rather following their Nations League achievement next March to a home play-off.
Scotland will be sick of the sight of De Bruyne.
The Man City star has had a direct hand in seven goals in just four games versus Scotland (two goals, five assists), including scoring once and assisting three goals in Hampden Park.
Scotland director Steve Clarke confessed it is really hard to discover benefits from the defeat to Belgium and was frustrated with his side.
Roberto Martinez says that he had been extremely happy with how challenging his side claimed maintaining a clean sheet was the aspect that is most gratifying and functioned in their 4-0 win.
Read more here: http://ledshtech.com/?p=33671