Saturday, October 9, 2021

Scott McTominay sparked bedlam at Hampden as his stoppage-time winner against Israel kept Scotland on course for the World Cup qualifying play-offs.

Scotland 3-2 Israel: Scott McTominay nets dramatic winner in World Cup qualifier

Scotland v Israel
Scott McTominay's stoppage-time goal was his first for Scotland

Scott McTominay sparked bedlam at Hampden as his stoppage-time winner against Israel kept Scotland on course for the World Cup qualifying play-offs.

The Manchester United midfielder bundled in his first Scotland goal after Eran Zahavi's brilliant free-kick and a Munas Dabbur finish twice had the visitors ahead in a thrilling contest.

John McGinn briefly levelled with a superb strike before Lyndon Dykes - having had a weak penalty saved - volleyed an equaliser belatedly awarded after a VAR check after the break.

Scotland's concerted pressure looked set to fall short until McTominay pounced to leave his side two wins from a play-off spot, with trips to the Faroes Islands and Moldova up next.

Victory moves Steve Clarke's men four points clear of Israel with three games to play in the battle to finish runners-up to Denmark.

The unbridled elation at full-time was befitting of Scotland's first full house at Hampden since England's visit in June 2017. It was also in marked contrast to the despondency felt by those fans after a dreadful and error-strewn first 45 minutes.




The pre-match air of optimism and expectation was quickly doused when Zahavi bent a terrific free-kick into the top corner after just five minutes for his 26th goal in his last 28 caps.

The PSV Eindhoven attacker's finishing prowess should have been no surprise to Scotland in their seventh meeting with Israel in three years. Yet the free-kick was a needless concession from Jack Hendry, and the mistakes kept piling up before the break.

The damage could have been doubled when McTominay - back from injury to replace the suspended Grant Hanley in the back three - was caught out by a long ball and only Manor Solomon's poor touch when clean through let Scotland off the hook.

The goal stunned Scotland, who had threatened through Che Adams in the opening minute before completely losing momentum. Simple passes were going astray and the hosts struggled to put coherent attacks together.

Scotland needed something special - and McGinn provided it, giving former Hibernian goalkeeper Ofir Marciano no chance with a sublime curled finish from 20 yards after a flowing move driven by Andy Robertson.

However, within two minutes, Scotland were trailing again. Another needless free-kick proved their undoing, this time McTominay the culprit, with Dabbur stabbing home after Craig Gordon had kept out Dor Peretz's effort.

Dykes should have ensured the sides went in level at the break, after Peretz slid in on Billy Gilmour as the midfielder latched on to Marciano's punched clearance just inside the box.

But the QPR striker - Scotland's match-winner in their previous two games - sent his penalty straight down the middle, where Marciano stayed put and saved with his foot.

Table

Scotland - knowing how costly a draw would be to their qualification hopes - were much improved after the break got a quick reward as Dykes made amends when he volleyed in Robertson's cross.

Even that was fraught with worry for the Tartan Army, though, as referee Szymon Marciniak initially disallowed the goal for a high challenge on Ofri Arad, who had attempted to head clear, before reversing the decision after consulting the pitchside monitor.

Scotland were indebted to Gordon for preventing them falling behind again, the goalkeeper denying Zahavi, but Clarke's side had the momentum and Tierney planted a cross on to Dykes' head eight yards out, with Marciano shovelling clear.

The Israel keeper was then fortunate to be given a free-kick for a challenge by Dykes after his spill from a cross was knocked into the net by Tierney.

Scotland kept piling on the pressure but agony beckoned when McGinn was foiled in the closing stages by Marciano, before McTominay chose an opportune moment to open his international account.

Jack Hendry glanced on a corner in the Israel box and McTominay did the enough from a yard or two out to edge his side closer to the play-offs as Hampden erupted in delight.

Man of the match - Andy Robertson

A true captain's performance as the left-back was a driving force in Scotland's turnaround
A true captain's performance as the left-back was a driving force in Scotland's turnaround

What did we learn?

Scotland's ability to put their supporters through the mill knows no bounds, yet the scenes at the end made all the suffering worthwhile.

It was a comeback of sheer tenacity from Clarke's side, whose first-half display was as bad as they've played under him.

To turn it around took plenty of guts and sheer doggedness. With Robertson rampaging forward and Billy Gilmour much more prominent in midfield, the hosts turned the screw on an Israel side who had been given far too much freedom.

Defensive issues remain - is McTominay best suited at centre-back? - but those are for another day.

What they said

Scotland head coach Steve Clarke: "I told them at half time - if you do want to lose the game, you're doing it in the perfect fashion."The talk at half time was really just - we have to play it our way. We have to play with more tempo, a little bit more ambition, control the game better and we did that from the start of the second half more or less to the 96th minute. We got our reward."
Scotland midfielder John McGinn: "The fans played a huge part. They could have easily went to the pub last five but they decided to stick with us. It was probably as good an atmosphere as I've heard here for years.

"I didn't think it would take me 39 caps to play in front of a full house at Hampden but certainly a night I will never forget and it was made extra special with a goal and three points."

'The fans could have easily gone to the pub' - McGinn revels in epic Scotland turnaround

Match stats

  • McTominay's 94th-minute goal was Scotland's first stoppage-time winner since Stephen McManus netted against Liechtenstein in September 2010.
  • Dykes is only the second Scotland player to score in three consecutive World Cup qualifiers after Mo Johnston, who netted in five between September 1988 and April 1989.
  • Scotland have won three consecutive home World Cup qualifiers for the first time since winning all five leading up to the 1998 finals.
  • McGinn (10) has scored more home goals in qualifying matches (World Cup/Euros) than any other Scotland player.
  • No player has scored more goals in the European World Cup 2022 qualification process than Israel's Eran Zahavi (7). He has also scored in three of his four previous appearances against Scotland at Hampden.

What's next?

Scotland will go for the two wins they need against the Faroe Islands in Torshavn on Tuesday (19:45 BST) and Moldova away next month. Should they slip up, another chance comes when they end the campaign at home to Denmark.

Player of the match

GilmourBilly Gilmour

with an average of 7.73

Scotland

  1. Squad number14Player nameGilmour
    Average rating

    7.73

  2. Squad number7Player nameMcGinn
    Average rating

    7.54

  3. Squad number3Player nameRobertson
    Average rating

    7.15

  4. Squad number6Player nameTierney
    Average rating

    6.96

  5. Squad number1Player nameGordon
    Average rating

    6.43

  6. Squad number4Player nameMcTominay
    Average rating

    6.43

  7. Squad number8Player nameMcGregor
    Average rating

    6.33

  8. Squad number22Player namePatterson
    Average rating

    6.31

  9. Squad number9Player nameDykes
    Average rating

    6.10

  10. Squad number11Player nameChristie
    Average rating

    5.96

  11. Squad number10Player nameAdams
    Average rating

    5.89

  12. Squad number13Player nameHendry
    Average rating

    5.66

  13. Squad number16Player nameCooper
    Average rating

    5.38

Israel

  1. Squad number18Player nameMarciano
    Average rating

    6.45

  2. Squad number7Player nameZahavi
    Average rating

    6.09

  3. Squad number4Player nameBitton
    Average rating

    5.43

  4. Squad number11Player nameSolomon
    Average rating

    5.33

  5. Squad number10Player nameDabbur
    Average rating

    5.20

  6. Squad number5Player nameAbu Abaid
    Average rating

    5.09

  7. Squad number15Player nameArad
    Average rating

    5.01

  8. Squad number6Player nameNatcho
    Average rating

    4.99

  9. Squad number8Player namePeretz
    Average rating

    4.97

  10. Squad number12Player nameMenachem
    Average rating

    4.96

  11. Squad number2Player nameDasa
    Average rating

    4.94

  12. Squad number3Player nameGlazer
    Average rating

    4.63

  13. Squad number14Player nameWeissman
    Average rating

    4.50

  14. Squad number21Player nameKinda
    Average rating

    4.48

  15. Squad number22Player nameDavidzada
    Average rating

    4.37

oklahoma-freshman-qb-caleb-williams-replaces-spencer-rattler-vs-texas/gMmPUslFeaLR

Oklahoma freshman QB Caleb Williams replaces Spencer Rattler vs. Texas Oklahoma freshman QB Caleb Williams replaces Spencer Rattler vs. Texas - The Athletic

10 October 2021Updated 00:18 GMT+6


Oklahoma freshman QB Caleb Williams replaces Spencer Rattler vs. Texas

By The Athletic Staff

12 Comments

Oklahoma freshman QB Caleb Williams replaces Spencer Rattler vs. Texas . Williams rushed for a 66-yard touchdown upon entering the game on fourth-and-short at the start of the second quarter.

No. 6 Oklahoma is going with freshman quarterback Caleb Williams over Spencer Rattler as it attempts a comeback against No. 21 Texas in the Red River rivalry.

Williams rushed for a 66-yard touchdown upon entering the game on fourth-and-short at the start of the second quarter. Rattler returned, but he has continued to struggle, throwing an interception early and later losing a fumble. On Williams' first full possession, he led OU to a field goal, cutting Texas's lead to 35-20. Rattler stood off to the side on the sideline, holding his helmet.

Rattler (8-of-15 for 111 yards) was also benched in last year's game against Texas, returning in the third quarter to eventually lead the Sooners to a four-overtime victory. Oklahoma fans chanted "We want Caleb!" at a home game two weeks ago against West Virginia when Rattler and the offense struggled.

The first half of Saturday's rivalry game featured a bit of everything, but mostly an explosion of offense. Texas added a field goal before half to make it 38-20.

Texas quarterback Casey Thompson is 10-of-16 passing for 244 yards and four touchdowns. The Longhorns led 14-0 in the first two minutes.

This story will be updated. More to come.

(Photo of Caleb Williams: Tim Warner / Getty Images)


12 Comments

Subscribe to join the conversation.

David B.

2h ago

Well, the fans wanted Caleb. Now they got him.


[Hidden]

2h ago

[This comment has been flagged and is currently under moderator review]

Angel C.

2h ago

he's going to be 4th round pick

Damon O.

2h ago

Was that necessary? That’s disgusting

Mark S.

1h ago

No kidding, good lord dude


Julian H.

2h ago

rAtLEr 4 hEiSmAn


Damon O.

1h ago

I just don’t think Oklahoma is a good fit for Spencer. I think he should transfer and start over. Kid has all of the ability but something isn’t clicking and he can’t get out of his own way.

Adam G.

1h ago

In QB1 he is arrogant and selfish. It doesn't look like that's changed. He is talented, but poor decisions have cost him. I see him trying to leave for the NFL after this season. I see a less capable Johnny Manziel

Daniel A.

29m ago

@Adam G There's no way he can leave for NFL this season. His stock is completely fallen off and will be middle round pick currently. 3rd-5th round. He needs to transfer, look at himself in the mirror and be honest with himself about his problems and then get back to work!


Chris M.

56m ago

Looking at what he can do, what he did last year and this year in the big game, it just looks like the kid gets Rattled. He’ll be a dream for headline writers.

Daniel A.

29m ago

@Chris M Rattler gets Rattled, nice ring to it lol


Daniel A.

32m ago

Damn how did Rattler fall off this badly. He was #1 QB prospect in HS in 2019 playing for program that recently produced in past 5 years. 2 Heisman winners, Two #1 Overall Selections, 3 Heisman Finalist & 3 Starting QBs! #1 rated QB going to program like that would seem to be lock for Heisman Finalist and top 10 pick but unfortunately for Rattler, didn't happen for him

 


Scott McTominay sparked bedlam at Hampden as his stoppage-time winner against Israel kept Scotland on course for the World Cup qualifying play-offs.

Scotland 3-2 Israel: Scott McTominay nets dramatic winner in World Cup qualifier Scott McTominay's stoppage-time goal was his first for ...