Ewan Murray has filed his match report already, so I’ll leave you with that. Thanks for your company and emails. Sometimes, football really is beautiful.
Updated
“IT’S COMING HOME, Rob!” weeps Simon McMahon. “Qatar in December here we come!”
Updated
Phew. The other matches have all finished as well, with the final scores. The much discussed Callum Robinson scored two goals in the first half to set Ireland on their way to a comfortable victory in Baku.
- Azerbaijan 0-3 Republic of Ireland (Group A)
- Sweden 3-0 Kosovo (Group B)
- Georgia 0-2 Greece (Group B)
- Finland 1-2 Ukraine (Group D)
- Scotland 3-2 Israel (Group F)
That was a crazy game, full of emotion. Israel led twice, Scotland missed a penalty and then equalised through a goal that was originally disallowed. Billy Gilmour was quite brilliant in the second half. And then, just when it looked like it would end in a draw, Scott McTominay forced a bouncing ball over the line. It was such an entertaining game, thoroughly uplifting even before the last-minute winner. And the noise at Hampden was and is a thing of beauty.
Updated
Full time: Scotland 3-2 Israel
It’s all over! Scotland are on course for the World Cup playoffs after a sensational victory over Israel!
McGinn’s corner from the right was headed across goal by Hendry and bundled into the net from four yards by McTominay! I’m not sure how much he knew about it - the ball zipped awkwardly off the pitch, hit him on the thigh and flew into the roof of the net. Not that he will, or should, give a solitary one about the manner of the goal: he’s just scored an injury-time winner in a huge World Cup qualifier!
Updated
GOAL! Scotland 3-2 Israel (McTominay 90+4)
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Updated
GOAL! Azerbaijan 0-3 Ireland (Ogbene 90)
I’ll be honest, I completely missed Chiedozie Ogbene’s goal as I can’t take my eyes off the Scotland game.
Updated
GOAL! Georgia 0-1 Greece (Bakasetas og 90)
90+1 min There will be six (S-I-X) minutes of added time.
90 min Thanks to Dylan Drummond for pointing out that overall goal difference trumps head-to-head record, so ignore the entry in the 81st minute.
89 min: Scotland 2-2 Israel: chance for McGinn! Christie beats two players with some lovely footwork on the right. He gets into the area and picks out McGinn, whose low shot is kicked away by Marciano! McGinn will know he should have done better; had he put it in the corner, Marciano would have had no chance.
Updated
88 min: Scotland 2-2 Israel A goal now for either side would be pure World Cup playoff gold.
84 min: Scotland 2-2 Israel McGregor wins another corner for Scotland, who have dominated the second half. Gilmour’s inswinger leads to a game of head tennis before Israel clear. Scotland keep the ball alive and McGinn’s shot deflects behind for another corner.
GOAL! Sweden 3-0 Kosovo (Quaison 79)
81 min: Scotland 2-2 Israel A 2-2 draw would give Israel the head-to-head advantage on away goals, as the return match finished 1-1.
79 min: Scotland 2-2 Israel If it stays like this, Scotland will be a point clear of Israel with three games remaining. Scotland play the Faroe Islands and Moldova away before finishing at home to Denmark. Israel play Moldova at home, Austria away and the Faroe Islands at home. Austria aren’t completely out of it either, though they would need to win in Denmark on Tuesday to have a realistic chance of making the play-offs.
The latest scores
- Azerbaijan 0-2 Republic of Ireland (Group A)
- Sweden 2-0 Kosovo (Group B)
- Georgia 0-0 Greece (Group B)
- Finland 1-2 Ukraine (Group D)
- Scotland 2-2 Israel (Group F)
72 min: Scotland 2-2 Israel Tierney has a goal disallowed for a foul on Marciano by Dykes. There wasn’t a huge amount in it, but it was a foul.
71 min: Scotland 2-2 Israel A relatively quiet spell at Hampden. Scotland look the likelier winners at this point, though given their tragicomic World Cup history that probably makes them the likelier losers.
Updated
“Watching Sweden-Kosovo, and Isak’s price has just gone up a few million,” says Julian Menz. “What a talent! Try to watch the highlights if you get the chance.”
I surely will. I’ve just seen the goal, which was a belter in any currency.
With around 25 minutes to play, these are the latest scores.
- Azerbaijan 0-2 Republic of Ireland (Group A)
- Sweden 2-0 Kosovo (Group B)
- Georgia 0-0 Greece (Group B)
- Finland 1-2 Ukraine (Group D)
- Scotland 2-2 Israel (Group F)
GOAL! Sweden 2-0 Kosovo (Isak 62) Sweden are cruising to victory in Solna.
63 min That was a great chance for Dykes. All he needed to do was head the ball down and/or back across Marciano and he would have scored.
Updated
62 min: Scotland 2-2 Israel Great save from Marciano! Tierney stands up a beautiful cross to the far post, where Dykes is unmarked six yards from goal. His header is too close to Marciano, who flies across his line to make a dramatic save!
3 - Lyndon Dykes is only the second Scotland player to score in three consecutive World Cup qualifying appearances after Mo Johnston, who netted in five consecutively between September 1988 and April 1989. Amends.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) October 9, 2021
61 min: Scotland 2-2 Israel Now Patterson’s cross is beaten away by Marciano, with Adams waiting behind him to score!
59 min: Scotland 2-2 Israel This is pulsating stuff!
58 min: Scotland 2-2 Israel Gordon makes a vital save from Zahavi! Scotland swithced off again after equalising, and should have been punished. Solomon flipped a cross towards the unmarked Zahavi, whose header was too close to Gordon.
GOAL! Scotland 2-2 Israel (Dykes 57)
The referee goes over to the monitor... and gives the goal! The Israel players are fuming. You can make a decent case either way - but what’s not in doubt that it was a helluva finish from Dykes, an improvised kung-fu kick that flew past Marciano.
Updated
DISALLOWED GOAL! Scotland 1-2 Israel (Dykes)
Robertson swings a superb cross to the near post, where Dykes gets in front of the defender, launches himself at the ball and studs a brilliant volley into the net. But he has barely started celebrating when the referee disallows it and books Dykes for dangerous play. It’s being checked by VAR...
Updated
53 min: Scotland 1-2 Israel Lots of Scotland pressure at the moment, though they could do with a bit more composure in the final third. They could do with some more composure in the final third, but it’s been a good response to that missed penalty just before half-time. Billy Gilmour is having a terrific game.
Updated
50 min: Scotland 1-2 Israel It’s been a decent start to the second half by Scotland. McGinn’s awkward, inswinging corner is superbly held by Marciano, who was being fouled by McTominay.
Updated
Peep peep! The five matches are back under way.
“Good old Scotland, eh?” weeps Simon McMahon. “Who wants to go to Qatar in December anyway. Certainly not Lyndon Dykes, judging by that excuse for a penalty.”
I’ll be back in 10-15 minutes for the second half. Meantime, here’s Jonathan Wilson’s column on the Newcastle takeover.
Half time
Peep peep! That’s the end of a dramatic, emotional first half at Hampden, and in the other four games as well. These are the half-time scores:
- Azerbaijan 0-2 Callum Robinson (Group A)
- Sweden 1-0 Kosovo (Group B)
- Georgia 0-0 Greece (Group B)
- Finland 1-2 Ukraine (Group D)
- Scotland 1-2 Israel (Group F)
DYKES'S PENALTY IS SAVED BY MARCIANO!
Scotland 1-2 Israel He hammered it straight down the middle, and Marciano - who must have seen the penalty against Austria - stood tall and booted it away.
Updated
A corner was punched to the edge of the area, where Gilmour hit a shot over the bar and was simultaneously clattered by Natcho. It was right on the edge of the area, but the referee pointed to the spot straight away.
PENALTY TO SCOTLAND!
GOAL! Finland 1-2 Ukraine (Yaremchuk 34)
GOAL! Azerbaijan 0-2 Republic of Ireland (Robinson 39)
Insert your own double-jab joke here. Callum Robinson has scored his second with a deflected shot from the edge of the area that wriggled under Magomedaliyev.
Updated
37 min: Scotland 1-2 Israel A replay from behind the goal suggests there might have been an accidental handball by Peretz just before Dabbur put Israel back in front. I’d like to see that again.
Updated
After all that excitement, here are the latest scores
- Azerbaijan 0-1 Republic of Ireland (Group A)
- Sweden 1-0 Kosovo (Group B)
- Georgia 0-0 Greece (Group B)
- Finland 1-1 Ukraine (Group D)
- Scotland 1-2 Israel (Group F)
Scotland 1-2 Israel That second Israel goal was so avoidable; it was a pretty routine free-kick from the left, but the Scotland defence lost concentration. They looked like a team who hadn’t come down from the high of the McGinn goal.
Updated
GOALS! Finland 1-1 Ukraine (Pukki 29); Sweden 1-0 Kosovo (Forsberg 29 pen)
Updated
GOAL! Scotland 1-2 Israel (Dabbur 31)
Israel take the lead again! A free-kick from the left ricocheted around the Scotland area, and though Gordon made a great save, Dabbur was on hand to put the rebound away.
Updated
He’s done it yet again! It was a superb goal, which started with some neat passing down the left. Tierney found Robertson, who played a one-two with Adams before finding McGinn on the edge of the area. He stopped the ball, opened his body and placed a glorious curling shot into the far corner. The roar as it hit the net was spine-tingling.
Updated
GOAL! Scotland 1-1 Israel (McGinn 29)
What a goal from John McGinn!
28 min: Scotland 0-1 Israel This is Scotland’s best spell of the game. Gilmour’s free-kick is headed towards goal by Dykes, 15 yards out, and pulled down nonchalantly by Marciano.
WHAT A STRIKE! 🚀
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) October 9, 2021
Craig Gordon has absolutely no chance as Eran Zahavi silences Hampden Park with a stunning free-kick inside five minutes 🇮🇱
📺 Watch live on Sky Sports PL#SCOISR blog 👉 https://t.co/FZYIlYmEsi pic.twitter.com/tAONA52xUF
🚨GOAL🚨
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) October 9, 2021
Azerbaijan 0-1 Republic of Ireland (Robinson, 7)
📺Watch live on Sky Sports Football pic.twitter.com/uog0ZKkHx2
22 min: Scotland 0-1 Israel Scotland are struggling to put Israel under any sustained pressure. At the moment, the scoreline is a fair one.
“That Israel goal sucked the atmosphere right out of Hampden and gave the Israel team an incredible lift,” says Lexi. “They’ve been playing with real confidence.”
They’ve been extremely impressive so far - not just the goal, though it was a cracker, but the ease and, as you say, confidence of their passing.
17 min: Scotland 0-1 Israel Scotland are starting to come back into the game after a torrid start, though Israel still look the more relaxed side in possession.
15 min: Scotland 0-1 Israel Marciano makes a good save from Dykes, who pulled down a long ball forward and made space for a left-footed shot from the left side of the area.
13 min: Scotland 0-1 Israel At the moment Israel are much the better team, with Scotland looking surprisingly nervous.
The latest scores
- Azerbaijan 0-1 Republic of Ireland (Group A)
- Sweden 0-0 Kosovo (Group B)
- Georgia 0-0 Greece (Group B)
- Finland 0-1 Ukraine (Group D)
- Scotland 0-1 Israel (Group F)
“Callum Robinson vaccinating Azerbaijan there,” honks Niall Mullen.
GOAL! Azerbaijan 0-1 Republic of Ireland (Robinson 8)
Callum Robinson, the talk of the town all week because of his vaccination status, has given Ireland the lead in Baku with a brilliant rising drive from 20 yards!
Updated
GOAL! Finland 0-1 Ukraine (Yarmolenko 4) West Ham’s Andriy Yarmolenko has given Ukraine an early lead in Helsinki.
GOAL! Scotland 0-1 Israel (Zahavi 5)
Eran Zahavi scores at Hampden again! He was fouled just outside the area by Hendry and took the free-kick himself. It was a beautiful strike, whipped over the wall and beyond the reach of the diving Gordon.
Updated
Scotland 0-0 Israel Scotland almost score after 41 seconds! Che Adams shoots straight at Marciano after a really nice one-touch move down the right.
“Hi Rob,” says Simon McMahon. “Confident that Scotland have just enough to grind out a thoroughly unconvincing 1-0 win on their way to glorious failure in the play offs. Let’s do this Scotland!!!”
Peep peep! The matches in Baku, Solna, Batumi, Helsinki and Glasgow are all under way. Who wants to go to Qatar?
Nearly time for kick off. God, I’d give plenty to be at Hampden right now.
Updated
A couple of matches have already finished
- Lithuania 3-1 Bulgaria (Group C)
- Kazakhstan 0-2 Bosnia and Herzegovinia (Group D)
That result lifts Bosnia and Herzegovina to second in Group D, where the race for a playoff place is exquisitely tight.
It’s pelting down at Hampden, which should enhance a primal atmosphere.
Updated
Scotland v Israel team news
Scotland (3-4-1-2) Gordon; McTominay, Hendry, Tierney; Patterson, Gilmour, McGregor, Robertson; McGinn; Adams, Dykes.
Israel (3-4-2-1) Marciano; Arad, Bitton, Abu Abaid; Dasa, D Peretz, Natcho, Menachem; Dabbur, Solomon; Zahavi.
Updated
Azerbaijan v Republic of Ireland team news
Azerbaijan (4-3-3) Magomedaliyev; Huseynov, Medvedev, Haghverdi, Krivotsyuk; Makhmudov, Garayev, Bayramov; Alaskarov, Emreli, Ozobic.
Republic of Ireland (3-4-2-1) Bazunu; Omobamidele, Duffy, Egan; Doherty, Hendrick, Cullen, McClean; Horgan, Robinson; Idah.
TEAM NEWS | Azerbaijan v Ireland
— FAIreland ⚽️🇮🇪 (@FAIreland) October 9, 2021
John Egan ©️ as Daryl Horgan, Callum Robinson and Adam Idah all start
Back three remains unchanged from the Serbia draw
Come on Ireland, let's get the job done 💪#COYBIG | #WeAreOne | #AZEIRL pic.twitter.com/STSxNr0TBJ
Preamble
Hello and welcome to another busy World Cup qualification clockwatch. We’ll be casting several eyes over the 5pm games, with our main focus on Scotland and the Republic of Ireland. The biggest game is at Hampden, where Scotland play Israel for the fifth time in just over a year.
The winner, if there is one, will have several toes in next year’s play-offs. Scotland, who are second in the group, still have to play the runaway leaders Denmark, so you could argue that a draw today favours Israel. Then again, Israel still have to go to Austria. The only way for either team to sit comfortably tonight is to win.
Ireland’s chances of qualification are long gone, but the trip to Azerbaijan is important for their under-pressure manager Stephen Kenny. While he has done a lot of good things since taking over, the most important – winning association football matches – has been a problem. Not even Tim Sherwood would boast about a win percentage of 6.25.
What else? Principal Cole, I’ll show you what else. Finland meet the draw specialists Ukraine in Group D - and there are two games in Group B, where Sweden have a puncher’s chance of stealing automatic qualification from Spain. If they beat Kosovo tonight they will move a point behind Spain with a game in hand. Greece, in third place, are away to Georgia.
These are the 5pm kick-offs:
- Azerbaijan v Republic of Ireland (Group A)
- Sweden v Kosovo (Group B)
- Georgia v Greece (Group B)
- Finland v Ukraine (Group D)
- Scotland v Israel (Group F)
Updated
