Scotland remain in race for 2026 World Cup spot while Netherlands edge towards qualification

Scotland secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory against Belarus at home on Sunday, keeping their hopes alive for direct entry to the 2026 World Cup, as the Netherlands took a step closer to confirming their place with a triumph over Finland.

Under Steve Clarke, Scotland share the lead in Group C with Denmark, following the Scandinavians 3-1 success against Greece where Rasmus Hojlund got the initial goal for the hosts.

Denmark hold the top position thanks to a superior goal tally, yet their Copenhagen result guarantees Scotland a minimum play-off opportunity in pursuit of their initial World Cup outing since 1998.

The leading duo will clash on the last qualification day, November 18, in Glasgow.

"From here on, each match is crucial," Scott McTominay remarked to BBC Scotland post the Belarus win.

"Points have been solid so far, but we all recognise the need to elevate our game, starting with myself.

"Standards must rise beyond this level."

Che Adams netted the first for the home team around the 15-minute mark at Hampden Park during a generally lacklustre display from Scotland.

Near the hour, they believed a spot-kick was merited after several events in the Belarus penalty area, involving pleas for fouls and handball from both sides, but following an extended VAR check, the official rejected the hosts claims and gave a free-kick to the away team.

McTominay seals it

Scotland owed gratitude to VAR at the 63-minute point when Evgeni Malashevichs equaliser was ultimately ruled out due to a prior foul on the Napoli and Serie A title holder McTominay.

Amid a flurry of VAR interventions, Adams slotted the ball past Belarus again in the 70th minute, though footage upheld the initial offside ruling against the Torino forward.

McTominay finally clinched a vital win for Scotland by smashing in with his left boot six minutes from the end.

Belarus capitalised on sloppy Scottish defence late into added time as Hleb Kuchko scored, but it proved insufficient for the away side, with the hosts holding firm despite jeers from their supporters.

Donyell Malen, Virgil van Dijk, Memphis Depay, and Cody Gakpo each scored as the Netherlands preserved their three-point advantage atop Group G via a 4-0 routing of Finland at the Johan Cruijff ArenA.

Poland stay hot on the Dutch trail after a 2-0 success in Lithuania, featuring Robert Lewandowskis 87th goal for his country.

Faroe Islands kept up their strong run in Group L by shocking the Czech Republic 2-1 in Torshavn.

Martin Agnarsson claimed the decisive strike on 81 minutes, just two minutes following Adam Karabeccs apparent leveller that had negated the homes 67th-minute goal.

Faroe Islands now trail their runners-up rivals by a single point, having claimed four victories in seven fixtures.

Croatia, finalists in 2018, lead the Czechs by three points after a shaky 3-0 victory over Gibraltar on home soil.

In Group H, Cyprus triumphed 4-0 at San Marino in the earliest match, while Romania overcame group frontrunners Austria 1-0 thanks to Virgil Ghitas goal in the 95th minute.

Austria now lead second-placed Bosnia and Hercegovina by two points after suffering their initial loss this campaign.