Steve Clarke's Scotland narrowly avoided what would have been a catastrophic result against Belarus, securing a tense 2-1 victory that did little to ease the growing pressure on the national team manager.
Nervy Performance Raises Questions
In a match that should have been a straightforward affair, Scotland struggled to impose their authority against a determined Belarus side. The visitors took an unexpected lead in the first half, leaving the Hampden Park crowd stunned and raising serious concerns about Scotland's defensive organisation.
The turning point came through a controversial penalty decision that allowed Scotland to equalise before halftime. Clarke's side eventually found a winner in the second period, but the performance left many questioning whether the manager can guide Scotland to the 2026 World Cup.
Clarke Under Mounting Pressure
Since leading Scotland to Euro 2024, Clarke has faced increasing scrutiny over his team's performances. The narrow victory against Belarus, who sit 36 places below Scotland in the FIFA rankings, will do little to silence his critics.
"We got the three points, that's the most important thing," Clarke stated post-match, though he acknowledged "there are aspects of our game that need significant improvement."
Qualifying Campaign at Crossroads
With several key players missing through injury and a formation that appeared disjointed for large periods, Scotland's World Cup qualifying campaign now faces serious examination. The team's inability to dominate lesser opponents has become a worrying trend that Clarke must address quickly.
The victory keeps Scotland in the hunt for automatic qualification, but with tougher fixtures ahead, including matches against European heavyweights, significant improvements will be required if Clarke is to maintain his position and lead Scotland to their first World Cup since 1998.
