Moldova vs Scotland LIVE: World Cup qualifier result, final score and reaction tonight
Follow live coverage as Scotland look to take the next step towards qualifying for the Qatar 2022 World Cup
Follow live reaction after Scotland secured a World Cup play-off spot thanks to a comfortable 2-0 win over Moldova in Chisinau.
Steve Clarke’s men made the breakthrough when Nathan Patterson drilled in a stunning opener shortly before half-time, following a neat one-two with John McGinn.
Scotland remained on top following the interval and striker Che Adams doubled their lead midway through the second half after another brilliant combination between Patterson and McGinn.
Craig Gordon was called into a late penalty save while Kieran Tierney made a last-ditch challenge to deny Vadim Rata, but the victory was never in doubt as Scotland sealed second place in Group F with a game to spare.
Follow all the latest updates and analysis:
Moldova vs Scotland
Andy Robertson leads Scotland out onto the pitch in Chisinau - time for the anthems with kick-off quickly approaching.
Moldova vs Scotland
Scotland manager Steve Clarke, speaking to Sky Sports, ahead of the match against Moldova.
“I think we just have to look to the recent [1-0 win] at Hampden, they made it a tough night for us. They’re well-organised, disciplined, and here at home so they will want to finish their campaign on a high. But we want to finish ours well this weekend.
[On the absence of Dykes] “We’ve worked on it this week it training and it’s something I’ve touched on before with the team. It’s a system that can work for us. With Lyndon being suspended, I felt it was a chance to do it.
“Both John [McGinn and Stuart [Armstrong] can score goals from that position, Che [Adams] will give us good pace down the sides. It’s only a slight tweak to the system, instead of going two up top it’s one with two behind him. It’s nothing too dramatic.”
Moldova vs Scotland
On that theme, Scotland captain Andy Robertson has urged his side to build on the memories of 12 months ago now that they have ended their wait for a major tournament appearance.
“It was a barrier and a lot of people in our country probably didn’t believe that the country would ever get over it at one point,” the left back said ahead of tonight’s match.
“The longer it goes, the more people start believing that it’s never going to happen again. But credit to the manager and the coaches, they changed that mentality with the help of obviously me and the more experienced lads, and not thinking about the last 23 years but thinking about the here and now.
“We managed to do that, we ticked a huge box by beating Serbia and being able to get to the Euros and the feeling the whole country had when we were at a major tournament was incredible. And the boys are hungry for more, and so are the manager and the country, because I think the country really came together and united then.
“We don’t want to be sitting at home when the World Cup is going on, or any more Euros are going on. We want to be there. But we also know how hard it is to get there and we know how much it takes.
“That’s why we know how important Friday night is to secure the play-offs and then March will bring its own challenges. We need to secure that first and then everyone can build up to March.”
Moldova vs Scotland
Tonight’s match falls exactly halfway between what could be two vitally important moments in Scotland’s recent history.
It’s exactly a year since David Marshall was the hero and Scotland defeated Serbia on penalties to qualify for Euro 2020.
It’s also exactly a year until the start of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, a tournament that Scotland are determined to reach after ending their 23-year wait to qualify for a major international tournament.
Steve Clarke’s side will move one step closer to realising that goal with three points and qualification to the playoffs this evening.
Moldova vs Scotland: Last time out
Scotland will seal second spot in Group F with a win tonight - a position only made possible thanks to a run of four wins in a row in World Cup qualifying.
That run was sparked thanks to a 1-0 win over Moldova at Hampden in September, a result which has grown in significance over the passing weeks, even if the narrow nature of the victory was a cause for concern at the time.
Lyndon Dykes scored the winner after good work from Nathan Patterson down the right, but the QPR forward is unavailable tonight due to suspension.
Scotland will therefore need someone to stand up tonight and provide the goals in Dykes’ absence - with the 26-year-old scoring in each of Scotland’s last four matches.
Moldova vs Scotland: Team news
Scotland manager Steve Clarke has made two changes to his side for tonight’s must-win World Cup qualifier against Moldova - both of which are enforced. Scott McTominay misses out due to illness while Lyndon Dykes is suspended. Leeds captain Liam Cooper comes into the back three while Stuart Armstrong partners Southampton teammate Che Adams in attack, with Ryan Christie also suspended.
Stoke forward Jacob Brown could win his first Scotland cap after being included on the bench.
Moldova vs Scotland: Team news
Scotland: Gordon; Hendry, Cooper, Tierney; Patterson, McGregor, Gilmour, McGinn, Robertson; Armstrong, Adams
Moldova vs Scotland live updates
Scotland are taking on Moldova in a crucial World Cup qualifying match tonight.
Win here and the Scots secure their place in the second round of qualifying for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, but draw or lose and they will open the door for Israel to fight back in the battle to finish second in Group F.
Moldova have only managed one point so far, against fellow strugglers Faroe Islands, but they have proved stubborn opponents against Austria and Israel, and Scotland themselves only managed a 1-0 win when they met at Hampden Park in September.
Runaway group leaders Denmark are set to close out top spot with their match against the Faroes, before travelling to Scotland in the final round of games next week.
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