Scotland resuscitated after World Cup dream almost dies is the only fitting way to describe one of the most surreal, dramatic and emotionally exhausting nights Scottish football has experienced in years. Even, in Piraeus before the final whistle had been blown a shriek echoed the Tartan Army grouped in a corner of Stadio Georgios Karaiskakis but not a shout of triumph but a shout of revival. Scotland had lost 3-2 to Greece in their supposedly automatic qualification and it looked like their campaign was dead but they are given a lifeline by Copenhagen, which seemed like the most impossible thing. Denmark 2 Belarus 2. An outcome that was like fiction but playing out in real time, despair evoked to disbelief and ultimately to hysterical joy.
Initially, the evening appeared to be a ghastly night. Scotland had three goals in handicap, Denmark were 1-0 ahead and the world was calculated with a machine that just mangled dead, automatic qualification was dead. The ideal was shattered and crushed underfoot by Greek supremacy and Scottish military weakness. However, on passing the hour, the spirits started gaining–in Greece and in Denmark. It turned out to be a double experience to all spectators: bodies in Piraeus mind in Copenhagen. The stunned feeling was felt when Belarus, who is number 103 in the globe, came level with the Danes who are numbered 20 most. Ben Gannon-Doak brought back one to Scotland seconds later and suddenly there was hope again.
But this was followed by the world of the absurd. As the Scottish supporters were still assimilating the Belarus first equaliser, the word went round Denmark 1 Belarus 2. An outcome that no gambling merchant, analyst or fan with an excessive sanguine mind cases had bet on. Tartan Army went bang with fresh faith and within days, Ryan Christie put it 3-2 in Greece and the supporters in the away end erupted. Goals were coming in throughout Europe and each of them was re-writing the destiny of the World Cup campaign of Scotland in real time. The Greek previously, as a nation an exceptionally hospitable country to the Scottish defence, but then that it might seem to have been turned into a piece in a thin budgeted horror-film easy to get into, and hard to counter–were now put in the wrong. Scotland, triumphant as dead were heaving themselves to their surfaces again like a resurrected monster that will not rest in its grave.
At last, the night has lapsed into a frenzy of opportunities, rescues, playing-cards, and Heart Well-Wishers. Scott McTominay had made a spectacular save out of Odysseas Vlachodimos; Tasos Bakasetas had received a red card to leave the home fans wildoning and Scotland continued to rumble forward, hoping to get at least a goal which would have done nothing to change the result but would have given a signal before the decisive game on Tuesday. And then the long agonising wait. Players loitered on the field. Fans held their breath. Denmark winner would have smacked the dream dead at the start. Minutes seemed like hours, hours like days, at least until Parken Stadium issued their confirmation almost four minutes later full time, Denmark 2 Belarus 2. The dream was alive again. Andy Robertson smiled afterward and as may be the happiest captain to walk off after being beaten. Winner takes all at Hampden, Andy Robertson grinned.
Fact, Scotland had no call to be bailed out. They were chess-boarded with by Greece 45 minutes, and cut into the defence whenever they pleased. Craig Gordon ensured the scores were not humiliating but Grant Hanley and John Souttar seemed powerless as Christos Tzolis and young Konstantious Karetsas were brimming with magic. In the first half Scotland yielded half a dozen shots on target–the largest number they had had in nearly ten years. That performance gave Steve Clarke not only food for thought, but a feast of issues before the decision in Denmark shape, mentality, personnel, urgency all the departments require improvement.
But, amidst all this turmoil and tragedy of the first hour, Belarus gave Scotland the most outlandish escape which can ever be imagined. It was a weird night as Clarke himself referred to it, containing an insinuation that the 2-1 victory over Belarus last month, much derided at the time had actually become much more significant than anyone supposed. He did not hesitate to admit that Scotland were blessed. They were. He also demanded that his players need to believe in themselves more but at the same time mentions the last 20 minutes in Piraeus as the benchmark they would go to Hampden with.
Eventually, though, Scotland resuscitated with World Cup dream almost dies is not merely a headline, but the emotional truth of the evening which had all the necessary elements fear, hope, collapse, revival and a miracle performed by the most unpopular quarter. At this point, all is to be lost and the message is straightforward correct the mistakes, ride the fire and take advantage of the occasion. Hampden awaits.
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