Scotland defeats Israel 3-2 with last-minute goal in World Cup qualifier

• Published date: 09 October 2021
• Author: JOSHUA HALICKMAN
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

Israel had led 2-1 on goals by Eran Zahavi and Monas Dabbur after a stellar first half, but Lyndon Dykes drew Scotland even in the second half before McTominay broke the Sabra's hearts with his added-time goal to grab the points. The blue-and-white will now be ready for Moldova back at hone in Beer Sheva on Tuesday night as they look to keep their slim hopes alive to find a way into the 2022 Qatar World Cup.

"We played very well in the first half," Israel Head Coach Willi Ruttensteiner said following the disappointing result. "In the second half, the Scotland pressure decided the game. We couldn't stand up to Scotland's aggressiveness. If the game would have ended in the 92nd minute we would have taken a point but the game continued and we lost. It's a horrible feeling. The players gave everything they had until the final whistle."

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"I don't have anything to say," a distraught Eran Zahavi began. "We don't know how to defend and when we go backwards, we give up a goal. We had to go forward. At surprised me is that is what the coach wanted us to do, play attacking football and hold onto the ball. We didn't do what we were supposed to do."

The Israel national team entered the Scotland matchup after having won two of their last three World Cup qualifiers and in third place in Group F just behind the Tartan Army and Denmark who were in first place.

Willi Ruttensteiner's starting lineup included keeper Ofir Marciano, defenders Eli Dasa, Sun Menachem, Nir Bitton, Ofri Arad and Eyad Abu Abid. Manning the midfield were blue-and-white starlet Manor Solomon, Dor Peretz and captain Bibras Natcho while Monas Dabbur and super striker Eran Zahavi played up front.

For Steve Clarke's squad, Liverpool defender Andy Robertson served as the captain, while Kieran Tierney from Arsenal and Scott McTominay also played in the back as other English Premier League stars Che Adams, John McGinn and Lyndon Dykes littered the lineup.

Israel got off to a dream start at Hampden Park as Eran Zahavi curved an absolutely beautiful free kick over the Scotland wall to beat keeper Craig Gordon for his 32nd national team goal drawing him even with Mordechai Spengler who had been in first place for the blue-and-white. Following the goal, Zahavi silenced the crowd after they had booed the Israel National Anthem Hatikva prior to the start of the game.

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