Moldova vs Scotland: Scotland see off Moldova to secure World Cup playoff
Scotland ensured their place in a semi-final playoff for a place at next year’s World Cup with a comfortable 2-0 win in Moldova on Friday.
Nathan Patterson and Che Adams struck either side of half-time in Chisinau to give Steve Clarke’s men an unassailable lead in second place in Group F behind the already-qualified Denmark.
The Danes travel to Hampden on Monday where Scotland can ensure they will be seeded in the semi-final draw later this month with a win.
A year to the day since ending a 23-year wait to qualify for any major tournament by reaching Euro 2020, Scotland’s new-found confidence was on show from the start as they recorded a fifth consecutive victory.
Adams had a goal ruled out for offside inside three minutes.
It took until seven minutes before half-time for the visitors to make the breakthrough when Rangers right-back Patterson blasted home his first international goal from John McGinn’s pass.
Patterson has struggled for minutes this season at club level, but is establishing himself as a regular for Clarke and played a big part in Scotland’s second when his cross was turned in by Adams.
The Southampton striker had a second goal ruled out by the offside flag shortly afterwards.
But Scotland could have faced a nervy finale but for Craig Gordan’s penalty save 10 minutes from time to deny Vadim Rata after Patterson was penalised for handball.
