Scotland Secure Victory Over Belarus in World Cup Qualifying
MINSK, Belarus – Scotland defeated Belarus 2-0 in thier World Cup qualifying match on Sunday, securing a solid start to their campaign.Goals from Nathan Redmond and John McGinn propelled teh Scots to victory, despite a resilient performance from the hosts.
The win marks a positive beginning for Steve Clarke’s side in Group F,following a previous draw. Four points from the opening two fixtures provide a foundation for their qualification ambitions, though Clarke emphasized that much work remains. The result impacts Scotland’s chances of reaching the 2026 world Cup, with upcoming matches against Greece and Denmark set to be crucial.
Scotland head coach Steve Clarke told BBC Scotland: “It was a tough night. I expected the reaction belarus gave. they started big guys and filled the middle of the park. We kept prodding, doing what we wanted to do.The message was just to stay patient and we managed to do that. It’s a good start, a solid start. Four points will never qualify you for anything. It’s nice to go home with a smile on your face, but I’m already thinking about next month.”
Clarke also praised the performances of young players Billy Gilmour and Ben Gannon-Doak, stating, “Billy [Gilmour] and Ben [Gannon-Doak] are two players who excite the public. My job is to pick a team to win the game. Both of them did very well.” He further highlighted the importance of defensive solidity, adding, “Clean sheets are what we have to build our campaign on.”
Scotland captain Andy Robertson echoed the sentiment of patience,telling BBC scotland: “Job done. That’s the best way to describe it. We knew they would try to be a bit more secure and defensive. We just had to be patient and got the goal at the perfect time just before half-time.We could have had more, but a job well done.”
Robertson also commented on the tactical adjustments and the impact of the substitutes, saying, “When they’ve changed their shape, it takes a wee bit of time to figure out what’s going to work. Once we got through with a grate goal, we just wanted to stay professional and thankfully got the second goal.” He praised Gannon-Doak’s performance, noting, “The gaffer put [Ben Gannon-Doak] on the left so I could look after him, but he doesn’t need much looking after. He wants to take people on and his decision-making was good on the whole.”
Robertson also acknowledged the importance of squad depth, stating, “We put in some shift on Friday and had to freshen it up. The four that came in were excellent. We need the full squad if we’re going to qualify.”
Scotland’s Remaining World Cup Qualifiers:
Greece (H) – October 9
Belarus (H) - October 12
Greece (A) – November 15
Denmark (H) – November 18
