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From Tom English
BBC Scotland at Hampden
Scotland hopes of making eligibility for Euro 2020 dangle by a ribbon once Russia came from behind to win in Hampden.
John McGinn gave Steve Clarke’s side the lead, but reluctantly defending allowed Artem Dzyuba to strike until the own goal of Stephen O’Donnell put Russia ahead.
Scotland sit six points adrift of those Russians in fourth with five games to play along with the two qualifying.
They host Belgium, the top rated team in the world.
Scotland’s qualification hopes will rest with a semi-final place already procured, on the Nations League play-offs.
This was the country’s first competitive home defeat because winners Germany succeeded.
After a bright start, Scotland might have lost intensely, with the Russians having an effort and hitting the woodwork twice and faded badly.
It started on the assault with Scotland and ended on the attack with Scotland – it had been the significant piece.
Long before the final whistle you lost count of the amount of times Scotland gave the ball away and left their lifetimes hard in the process. Long prior to the final whistle you lost count of the number of opportunities Russia failed to take in their pursuit of a game-clinching third goal.
In the reckoning, they did not require that third. Two did the task. Two was sufficient to kill off any hope Scotland might have had of becoming from the shake-up in this group. Following the first boon of aim, Scotland outclassed and were outplayed.
Briefly, there was expectation. Given the jolt that descended on the centre-halves of Scotland – four of these going down hurt in the – there was a introduction awarded to Leeds United captain Liam Cooper.
In the opposite end, Clarke proceeded with Oli McBurnie, a participant who turned together with the seriousness of a man who had a lot to prove, which is exactly what what he is, regardless of the eye-watering amount that Sheffield United spelled him out in the summer.
McBurnie had seemed leaden and unthreatening but he played a very part in what had been a launch by Scotland. Even before the opening target they’d caused Russia some bother, Stephen O.Donnell hooking an effort on target from close range just for Guilherme to get his body in the way to obstruct it.
The goal came at the 11th minute and the area still created a reasonable old racket once McGinn scored, though Hampden had vast segments. It all began from the left by Ryan Fraser, his crossover has been spilled by Guilherme and falling.
Guilherme was once the ball was in the atmosphere from Fraser failing to make contact but succeeding in deflecting the goalkeeper unnerved by the presence of McBurnie. McBurnie looked hungry and successful in these early moments.
It was a start in the Scots, but as the half wore on the longer Russia came in to it. A growing hesitancy and stress from the house team aided them. That precision and energy that they had early on soon evaporated. They couldn’t keep the ball, couldn’t bring any composure for their own drama. Misplaced pass was followed by misplaced pass. Trouble was on its way.
It arrived when Scotland once more gave away possession and place strain. To increase the error count, Robertson unintentionally helped it on to Dzyuba In trying to clear the ball from Aleksandr Golovin.
The striker using the record had time and space he needed to slam his shot. It was his 21st goal in 37 games for his nation. What Scotland would give for a target machine such as the Zenit lighthouse.
Russia took control of it then, helped in their way by the desperate inability to hold on to the ball of Scotland. The number of times they lost it needlessly and sent Russia running at them was notable.
Early in the second half they really started to the goal of pepper Scotland. Charlie Mulgrew had to control a piledriver from Golovin down. Two minutes later, Golovin broke free but sliced his shot wide. Scotland’s wastefulness was not just asking to be punished, but it was practically begging for it.
Over the summertime they got what was coming. It was Fraser who ceded ownership. Aleksei Ionov picked up it, played a chunk that was stunning in behind Cooper into Golovin who squared it to the veteran Yuri Zhirkov.
The Russian captured the very first signature, but O’Donnell sliding to stop danger, got the last, fateful touch. Whoever is credited with the aim matters. Russia had the lead and they never looked like giving up it .
The miracle was that they did not add to it. Mario Fernandes forced a save from Marshall,” Magomed Ozdoev shot struck a pole, the campaign of Zhirkov had to be pushed off by the Scotland goalkeeper in another tide that was Russian.
Scotland pushed hard for an equaliser but didn’t get it and didn’t deserve to receive it. Belgium night next on Monday. Life does not get any simpler for his or her players along with Clarke.
Aleksandr Golovin ran. He had been on a different level to anybody in blue, picking up balls buzzing about and using his intelligence and vision to trigger Scotland no end of dread. A world-class player.
More to follow.
Read more: http://www.hannopaint.com/?p=11951