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World Cup | Qualifiers
Oct 16, 2012 at 7.45pm UK
 
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Live Commentary: Belgium 2-0 Scotland - as it happened

:Headline: Live Commentary: Belgium 2-0 Scotland - as it happened: ID:50171: from db_amp
Sports Mole brings you live coverage of tonight's World Cup qualification Group A clash between Belgium and Scotland.

Good evening, and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the World Cup qualifier between Belgium and Scotland.

Having thrown away the lead to lose 2-1 in Wales on Friday, the Scots can all but forget about a spot in Brazil 2014 if they lose here tonight.

On the other hand, Belgium are flying high. They top the group on goal difference with two wins and a draw to their name, and currently boast one of the brightest teams in Europe.

Craig Levein has brought in James McArthur to replace Scott Brown as the Tartan Army go in search of their first win in Group A.

The match kicks off at 7.45pm.


9.43pmThanks for joining us tonight, see you all soon.

9.41pmMatch report to follow shortly.

9.40pmWill that be Craig Levein's last game in charge of Scotland?

9.39pmScotland drop to the bottom of Group A following that defeat, while Belgium maintain their top spot.

9.38pmIt's all over here and Belgium get nothing less than they deserve with quickfire goals from Benteke and Kompany giving them the win.

93 minsFull-time Belgium 2-0 Scotland

92 minsScotland push some bodies forward in search of a late goal but it is coming to nothing so far.

91 minsThe game is starting to die out, we're into time added on now.

88 minsChance! Hazard opts for a dipping shot from a free-kick but his effort is too high.

87 minsBelgium substitution: Christian Benteke makes way for Llombe Mboyo.

85 minsMacedonia have beaten Serbia, unless Scotland can somehow salvage a draw from this match then they are going bottom of Group A.

84 minsBelgium are just keeping the ball, getting cheers from their home fans every time they make a pass.

81 minsChadli gets a yellow card for a late challenge on Maloney.

80 minScotland substitution: James Morrison is replaced by Matt Phillips.

79 min11 minutes to go, and it looks as if Scotland's World Cup qualifying campaign is going to read: Played four, lost four.

78 minsMorrison manages to just keep the ball in play as he fires his cross in from the edge of the box but it is easily held by Courtois.

77 minsA Mexican Wave flies around the stadium, something tells me that these Belgians think that they've already won it.

76 minsScotland substitution: Kenny Miller replaces Steven Fletcher.

76 minsAlthough saying that, Belgium could easily bag a few more the way things are going.

74 minsAs for predictions, only a genius would have guessed 2-0 to Belgium...

73 minIt took long enough, but the floodgates appeared to have opened in Brussels.

72 minsThat's it now and it's a magnificent strike from Vincent Kompany of all players. The Manchester City skipper picks up the ball on the edge of a crowded Scotland penalty area and twists and turns before belting his shot into the top corner of the goal. Brilliant goal.

72 minsGOAL! Belgium 2-0 Scotland

71 minsAs things stand, Belgium are going back to the top of Group A whereas Scotland are heading to the bottom of it.

69 minsIt's a long way back for Craig Levein's side now.

69 minsScotland's resistance is finally broken as De Bruyne hangs up a cross to the far post for Benteke to beat his marker and nod in the opener. It's been coming.

69 minsGOAL! Belgium 1-0 Scotland.

67 minsChance! McGregor makes a fine save from a Kevin De Bruyne shot. The ball was swerving all over the place but the 30-year-old managed to do enough to clear the danger.

67 minsOnly a quarter of the match left to play, still goalless.

66 minsIt's Hazard in the end who takes it. He gets the height, power and dip right but sees his effort go just wide of the near post.

65 minsMcArthur concedes a free-kick in a dangerous area for Scotland. Central, 30 yards out, Hazard and Vertonghen stand over it.

65 minsIf the Scots are going to get anything from this match, they need to make the most of these rare chances.

64 minsMaloney takes the corner but Caldwell puts the header over.

64 minsHalf chance for Scotland as Fox's cross just evades Fletcher and Mackie. Corner to Scotland.

63 minsMcGregor still trying to run down the clock, waiting for Mirallas to come within two metres of him before picking the ball up.

62 minsWith Macedonia beating Serbia, Scotland are going bottom of Group A as things stand. Still plenty of time to change that.

61 minAllan McGregor goes into the book for time wasting. Stupid from the keeper.

60 minAn hour gone, and Scotland are still in this.

60 minCraig Levein looks as if he is going to introduce Stoke City's Charlie Adam in a few moments.

60 minInterestingly this is Hutton's fourth game of the season. All four have been for the national side.

59 minHutton is now back up after taking a nasty challenge to the top of his boot.

59 minAlan Hutton is down...

58 minAlthough cries of "Shall we sing a song for you?" would suggest that the Tartan Army are currently on top when it comes to chanting.

58 minScotland really haven't seen much of the ball in this second half...

57 minA rare mishap from the hosts, as Vincent Kompany puts a pass off the field. Poor from the Manchester City captain.

56 minBelgium substitution: Dries Mertens goes off, Kevin Mirallas comes on.

55 minBelgium about to make their second change, Kevin Mirallas of Everton is coming on.

55 minNot sure if Scotland have been in Belgium's half since the break.

52 minChance! Scotland clear away a corner but only as far as Hazard who is lurking on the edge of the penalty area. The Chelsea man meets the dropping ball with an awesomely struck volley, but Caldwell throws himself in the way to block it.

51 minI know they need a win, but with this being arguably Scotland's toughest game in Group A, would a point really be that bad?

50 minChance! Belgium are denied by the bar as Alderweireld whips in a superb cross before Benteke meets the ball with his head only to see his effort skim off the crossbar.

49 minThe second half starts the same way as the first one ended. Belgium in control and seeing a lot of the ball.

46 minIn case you're wondering, it was Tottenham Hotspur's Moussa Dembele who made way for Chelsea's Eden Hazard for that Belgium substitution.

45 minWe're back underway here in Brussels.

8.49pmJamie Mackie is coming on in place of Kris Commons for Scotland.

8.48pmScotland's task becomes tougher. Hazard is on...

8.47pmScotland aren't the only ones in need of a win here. Belgium need a victory to hang on to top spot in Group A with Croatia beating Wales at the moment.

8.41pmThe hosts have proved why they are one of the most highly-related international teams around at the moment. They have been in complete control of this match, using the ball well when in possession, and pressing Scotland heavily when off it.

8.39pmThis game certainly has a Braveheart feel to it, although Craig Levein is still waiting for his very own Mel Gibson to show up.

8.38pmNot meaning to shoot down Scotland's chances here, but Belgium still have a certain Eden Hazard on the bench. How long before we see him I wonder.

46 minHalf Time The Referee brings the first half to a close and Scotland have McGregor to thank for not conceding. Belgium have bombarded the Scottish goal but just couldn't find a way through. Maloney and Commons had chances for the visitors from free-kicks but the two sides go into the break with the score at 0-0.

45 minCraig Levein will surely be happy should his side make it to the break with the game still goalless. While Scotland have had the odd chance, they have been outplayed in this first half.

45 minOne minute added on here..

44 minChance! Belgium yet again go close. Alderweireld whips in a teasing cross into the far post where Benteke rises above McGregor but can only direct his header over.

43 minCourtois is living proof that being 6 ft 7 isn't always a bad thing with these saves from dead ball situations.

42 minChance! Courtois makes another fine save from a Scotland set-piece as he gets his hand to a Kris Commons effort.

41 minScotland have another free-kick in a dangerous position. The visitors break down the other end of the field and have a three on two advantage before Maloney is fouled.

40 minA rare opportunity at the other end of the field. Darren Fletcher floats in a free-kick from distance, but Berra is penalised for climbing all over Kompany.

39 minSix minutes plus stoppage time to go in this first half, and despite being bombarded for the opening 39 minutes of this match, Scotland are still in this game.

38 minChance! Dembele tries another shot from the edge of the box, but this effort is poor and is fired wide of goal.

36 minBelgium are seemingly just camping on the edge of the Scotland box...

35 minI'm amazed that this game is still goalless. Surely it's only a matter of time before Belgium go in front?

34 minChance! And another shot from the hosts, this time De Bruyne curls one wide of McGregor's far post.

33 minChance! Another close effort from Belgium as Dembele brings the ball into the penalty area before firing just wide across goal.

32 minMaloney is clattered from behind by Alderweireld, but the Belgian avoids a yellow card.

30 minBelgium still well in control of this match, Scotland can't get the ball.

25 minThe Atletico Madrid keeper then collects the resulting corner with ease.

24 minChance! It's a fantastic save from Courtois as he pushes Maloney's effort away from the top corner.

23 minAnd they go up the other end and win a free-kick. Central, 30 yards out. Maloney stands over the ball.

23 minScotland have been dominated in this match so far, but they are hanging on for now.

22 minChance! Massive let-off for Scotland as McGregor spills the cross, only for Belgium to fail to get a foot on the loose ball.

21 minHalf-hearted appeals for a Scotland penalty after Commons went down under the challenge of Vertonghen. Nothing given.

19 minThe possession stats reflect the start to this game with Belgium commanding 63% of the ball.

18 minChance! Lovely play from Belgium which ends with Vertonghen unleashing a rocket from the left-hand side of the area but flies over the bar. Should have worked McGregor then.

17 minFletcher is back on.

16 minHalf a chance for Belgium as Witsel lets fly from the edge of the box but the ball sails over.

16 minPlay continues as Fletcher continues to receive treatment.

15 minNo action from Craig Levein yet though.

14 minMassive blow for Scotland, Steven Fletcher is hobbling off the field to receive treatment as play is held up.

12 minSomething tells me that McGregor is going to be a busy man tonight...

11 minMcGregor is again to the rescue as Chaldi is slotted into the penalty area before the keeper comes across to make the block.

10 minMcGregor is again called into action, making two more fine saves to deny Belgium.

10 minRegardless of his form, Steven Fletcher faces a real task of trying to get past Vermaelen and Kompany.

9 minBenteke is played through but is ruled offside.

6 minAlderweireld wins a corner after his drilled cross is knocked behind by Caulker. The set-piece is then cleared by the visitors.

4 minNice spell of possession from Scotland but not really doing anything with it. They're trying to keep Belgium at bay at the moment.

2 minThe corner is over from Belgium, Scotland need to calm things down here. The hosts are in the mood.

2 minSomehow Scotland are still level. McGregor is forced into making three superb saves before the away side concede a corner. Madness.

7.45pmHere we go! Belgium get us underway.

7.44pmQuick prediction, I'm going for 2-0 to Belgium.

7.44pmThe teams are out, the national anthems are sung, photos being taken.

7.44pmSubs:
Belgium: Mignolet, Hazard, Ciman, M'Boyo, Van Buyten, Mirallas, Defour, Lombaerts, Vossen, Simons, Guillaume Gillet, Jean-Francois Gillet.
Scotland: Gilks, Mulgrew, Cowie, Adam, Miller, Mackie, Martin, Phillips, Webster, Marshall.

7.39pmSouthampton defender Danny Fox starts for the visitors despite pulling up during the warm-up.

7.37pmScotland manager Craig Levein: "We're going to have to defend properly tonight but it is "doable"

"The players are angry about what happened (in Cardiff) and it's an opportunity for us to put things right.

"There's pressure attached to every football match but I don't feel any difference between this game and Friday night. We've prepared properly.

"We're here with the intention of winning the match; it's a tough ask but Belgium are beatable."

7.35pmSo plenty of familiar faces in this Belgium side for the Scots to deal with. Pre-match quotes coming up...

7.35pmBelgium: Courtois, Alderweireld, Vermaelen, Kompany, Vertonghen, Witsel, Debruyne, Dembele, Benteke, Martens, Chadli

7.33pmScotland: McGregor, Hutton, Caldwell, Berra, Fox, D Fletcher (c), McArthur, Morrison, Commons, Maloney, S Fletcher

7.32pmGood news already for Scotland is that Chelsea dangerman Eden Hazard doesn't make the starting XI for the hosts.

7.31pmGood evening and welcome to our live coverage of the Group A World Cup qualifier between Belgium and Scotland. Teams coming right up...

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