SM
Watford vs. Leeds: 18 hrs 53 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
IN
Nations League | League B
Nov 18, 2020 at 7.45pm UK
 
SN

Israel
1 - 0
Scotland

Solomon (44')
Abu Fani (87'), Marciano (90+4'), Dgani (90+5')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Jack (85')

Scotland fail to gain UEFA Nations League promotion courtesy of Israel defeat

:Headline: Result: Scotland fail to gain UEFA Nations League promotion courtesy of Israel defeat: ID:422779: from db_amp
Manor Solomon's first-half goal was enough to end the Scots' hopes in Group B2, with Czech Republic beating them to top spot.

Scotland missed out on Nations League promotion after going down to a 1-0 defeat in Israel.

Manor Solomon scored on the counter-attack a minute before half-time to allow the Czech Republic to leapfrog Scotland and take top spot in Group B2 following their 2-0 win over Slovakia.

Scotland had enjoyed a dangerous spell before the goal and looked threatening immediately after the break but some attack-minded substitutions failed to transmit into chances as Israel held on to their lead.

Steve Clarke’s side had come into November four points clear at the top but consecutive defeats cost them. Winning the group would have put Scotland in the running for two World Cup play-off places that come via the Nations League, if needed, while promotion to the top tier would have enhanced chances of making Euro 2024.

Clarke picked the same team that started in Scotland’s Euro 2020 play-off win over Serbia last week after making eight changes for Sunday’s defeat in Slovakia.

Ryan Christie hit a free-kick into the wall after being fouled in the act of shooting but there was little else in the way of threats at either end in the opening 15 minutes.

Israel got the first shot on target when Sun Menachem got in behind Stephen O’Donnell to meet a deep cross but shot straight at David Marshall from a tight angle.

Scotland began to exert some pressure and created two good chances around the half-hour mark. Kieran Tierney played a penetrating ball forward and sharp passes from John McGinn and Ryan Jack set up O’Donnell, but the wing-back drove the ball across the face of goal rather than shooting himself.

Scott McTominay soon whipped in an excellent cross but Ofir Marciano brilliantly pushed over a backward header from his former Hibernian team-mate McGinn.

Christie then under-hit a lay-off to McGinn after a long ball put Israel in trouble and Scotland had a let-off when Eran Zahavi took a heavy touch as he checked to shoot.

Callum McGregor’s cutback evaded a Scotland shirt before Lyndon Dykes had a header saved, but the visitors were soon caught on the breakaway.

Ryan Jack. left, and Israel’s Dia Seba fight for possession (Ariel Schalit/AP)

The skilful Solomon was left one-on-one with McTominay, turned him on the outside and fired inside the far post.

Zahavi and Shon Weissman came close for Israel in the opening stages of the second half but Scotland were attacking with purpose. McGinn had two shots diverted for corners and Declan Gallagher headed over from seven yards after getting a clear run at Christie’s delivery.

Christie then brilliantly sent O’Donnell away on a break but Marciano got down well to save the Motherwell man’s powerful strike.

Clarke made a double switch on the hour mark, sending on strikers Leigh Griffiths and Oli McBurnie for McGinn and Dykes.

But, as Israel sat deeper, the openings dried up for Scotland and Clarke made two more changes in the 73rd minute. Scott McKenna replaced Gallagher in a straight swap and winger Oliver Burke came on for O’Donnell to add more attacking threat.

McBurnie soon did well to get a diving header on target from McTominay’s cross but Marciano got down reasonably comfortably.

Burke quickly got some decent crosses in before Marshall kept Scotland’s hopes alive by blocking a shot from Israel substitute Eyal Golasa after a counter-attack.

Chances eventually arrived in the final three minutes but the frustration continued for Scotland.

McKenna headed Andy Robertson’s cross just wide before a long throw fell invitingly for Griffiths but the striker could not get hold of his half-volley and the ball trundled into Marciano’s hands.

If there was any doubt it was not Scotland’s night then it was confirmed when Israel right-back Eli Dasa handled in his box and saw Marciano stop the ball going straight in.

Marciano then parried a Griffiths free-kick six minutes into stoppage-time.

amp_article__422779 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2020-11-18 22:05:13:
html db last update - 2021-02-28 09:38:05 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html
Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal28204470244664
2Liverpool28197265263964
3Manchester CityMan City28196363283563
4Aston Villa29175760421856
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs28165759421753
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd28152113939047
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham2912894650-444
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2811985044642
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28125114244-241
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle281241259481140
11Chelsea27116104745239
12Fulham29115134344-138
13Bournemouth2898114152-1135
14Crystal Palace2878133348-1529
15Brentford2975174154-1326
16Everton2887132939-1025
17Luton TownLuton2957174260-1822
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2967163551-1621
19Burnley2945202963-3417
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2835202474-5014
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .