Every goal that took Scotland to the World Cup play-offs

Late winners, VAR interventions, penalties... Scotland's qualification campaign has not lacked drama.

Every goal that sent Scotland to the World Cup play-offsSNS Group
STV News
More on this story

It’s been an eventful and memorable World Cup qualifying campaign for Scotland – one that’s left us just two wins from Qatar 2022.

The play-offs will take place over the next few days as we look to reach football’s biggest stage for the first time since 1998.

Here, in pictures, we look back at the moments that lifted the Tartan Army out of their seats.

Scotland 2-2 Austria: March 25

<strong>Grant Hanley outfoxed a poor Austrian attempt to play Scotland offside from a free-kick to make it 1-1.</strong>”/><cite class=cite>SNS Group</cite></div><figcaption aria-hidden=true><strong>Grant Hanley outfoxed a poor Austrian attempt to play Scotland offside from a free-kick to make it 1-1.</strong> <cite class=hidden>SNS Group</cite></figcaption></figure><figure class=wp-block-image><div class=relative><img loading=lazy decoding=async src=https://news.stv.tv/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/92786ab766b20a5745fa2ecb799d26d4.jpg width=3254 height=1836 srcset=Israel 1-1 Scotland: March 28
<strong>Israel and Scotland are no strangers on the football field – this was their sixth meeting in two-and-a-half years in various competitions.</strong>”/><cite class=cite>SNS Group</cite></div><figcaption aria-hidden=true><strong>Israel and Scotland are no strangers on the football field – this was their sixth meeting in two-and-a-half years in various competitions.</strong> <cite class=hidden>SNS Group</cite></figcaption></figure><figure class=wp-block-image><div class=relative><img loading=lazy decoding=async src=https://news.stv.tv/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/f504509351f4b2db45b2ff1a6b1419f2.jpg width=1691 height=1241 srcset=Scotland 4-0 Faroe Islands: March 31
<strong>There were no supporters at Hampden as John McGinn turned home a low cross to give Scotland a vital early lead against the minnows.</strong>”/><cite class=cite>SNS Group</cite></div><figcaption aria-hidden=true><strong>There were no supporters at Hampden as John McGinn turned home a low cross to give Scotland a vital early lead against the minnows.</strong> <cite class=hidden>SNS Group</cite></figcaption></figure><figure class=wp-block-image><div class=relative><img loading=lazy decoding=async src=https://news.stv.tv/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/11f1b1e2919f551620dc9c474606d97f.jpg width=1920 height=1100 srcset=Scotland 1-0 Moldova: September 4
<strong>Nerves were seemingly settled at Hampden when Lyndon Dykes prodded home an early goal – but it became a long night for the Tartan Army as Scotland failed to put the Moldovans to the sword despite a string of good chances.</strong>”/><cite class=cite>SNS Group</cite></div><figcaption aria-hidden=true><strong>Nerves were seemingly settled at Hampden when Lyndon Dykes prodded home an early goal – but it became a long night for the Tartan Army as Scotland failed to put the Moldovans to the sword despite a string of good chances.</strong> <cite class=hidden>SNS Group</cite></figcaption></figure><h2 class=Austria 0-1 Scotland: September 7
<strong>Nobody really saw the penalty coming, but fortunately the sharp eyes of the video assistant referee alerted the match official to a shirt pull on Che Adams. Lyndon Dykes didn’t strike the greatest penalty, but it went in and earned Scotland a huge result.</strong>”/><cite class=cite>SNS Group</cite></div><figcaption aria-hidden=true><strong>Nobody really saw the penalty coming, but fortunately the sharp eyes of the video assistant referee alerted the match official to a shirt pull on Che Adams. Lyndon Dykes didn’t strike the greatest penalty, but it went in and earned Scotland a huge result.</strong> <cite class=hidden>SNS Group</cite></figcaption></figure><h2 class=Scotland 3-2 Israel: October 9
<strong>Scotland started slowly and were a goal down by the time they produced their first flowing attack, resulting in John McGinn bending a left-footer into the top corner from just inside the box.</strong>”/><cite class=cite>SNS Group</cite></div><figcaption aria-hidden=true><strong>Scotland started slowly and were a goal down by the time they produced their first flowing attack, resulting in John McGinn bending a left-footer into the top corner from just inside the box.</strong> <cite class=hidden>SNS Group</cite></figcaption></figure><figure class=wp-block-image><div class=relative><img loading=lazy decoding=async src=https://news.stv.tv/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/c1123545e89f90c500a9cfe1ce89111f.jpg width=1920 height=1132 srcset=Faroe Islands 0-1 Scotland: October 12
<strong>Just when a play-off place looked like it was on a plate for Scotland, they huffed and puffed for 87 minutes in the Faroe Islands until a cross brushed off Lyndon Dykes and into the net. Not pretty, but we were happy to take it.</strong>”/><cite class=cite>SNS Group</cite></div><figcaption aria-hidden=true><strong>Just when a play-off place looked like it was on a plate for Scotland, they huffed and puffed for 87 minutes in the Faroe Islands until a cross brushed off Lyndon Dykes and into the net. Not pretty, but we were happy to take it.</strong> <cite class=hidden>SNS Group</cite></figcaption></figure><h2 class=Moldova 0-2 Scotland: November 12
<strong>Nathan Patterson settled Scottish nerves after a few missed chances in the first-half, when he found space in the box and drove home with his left foot.</strong>”/><cite class=cite>SNS Group</cite></div><figcaption aria-hidden=true><strong>Nathan Patterson settled Scottish nerves after a few missed chances in the first-half, when he found space in the box and drove home with his left foot.</strong> <cite class=hidden>SNS Group</cite></figcaption></figure><figure class=wp-block-image><div class=relative><img loading=lazy decoding=async src=https://news.stv.tv/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/f6bea17b88a599ec9c86d8d18aa0f337.jpg width=1920 height=1052 srcset=Scotland 2-0 Denmark: November 15
<strong>Hearts defender John Souttar completed his personal comeback story from devastating injury by nodding Scotland in front against the Euro 2020 semi-finalists.</strong>”/><cite class=cite>SNS Group</cite></div><figcaption aria-hidden=true><strong>Hearts defender John Souttar completed his personal comeback story from devastating injury by nodding Scotland in front against the Euro 2020 semi-finalists.</strong> <cite class=hidden>SNS Group</cite></figcaption></figure><figure class=wp-block-image><div class=relative><img loading=lazy decoding=async src=https://news.stv.tv/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/2178750db5e3c6519b6664fc40176a66.jpg width=1920 height=1107 srcset=
STV News is now on WhatsApp

Get all the latest news from around the country

Follow STV News
Follow STV News on WhatsApp

Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country

WhatsApp channel QR Code
More on this story

Today's Top Stories

Breaking News
Boy, 14, detained for five years for killing gang rival in row over £50
Glasgow & West

Boy, 14, detained for five years for killing gang rival in row over £50

Doctor spied on people with secret cameras hidden in Airbnb
Glasgow & West

Doctor spied on people with secret cameras hidden in Airbnb

Car crashes into back garden after police chase through Dunfermline
Edinburgh & East

Car crashes into back garden after police chase through streets

UK interest rates lowered to 4.25% in second cut this year
Scotland

UK interest rates lowered to 4.25% in second cut this year

Police find child’s potty at site linked to murder of mum and toddler
Highlands & Islands

Police find child's potty at site linked to murder of mum and toddler

Scotland’s ‘lifeline’ ferry service awarded directly to CalMac 
Play icon
Scotland

Scotland's 'lifeline' ferry service awarded directly to CalMac 

Is now the time to legalise assisted dying in Scotland?
Politics

Is now the time to legalise assisted dying in Scotland?

Popular Videos

Two Edinburgh schools to pilot phone-free policy using lockable pouches
Play icon
Edinburgh & East

Two Edinburgh schools to pilot phone-free policy using lockable pouches

Sturgeon: Equality watchdog advice could make ‘trans lives almost unliveable’
Play icon
Politics

Sturgeon: Equality watchdog advice could make 'trans lives almost unliveable'

Road in Glenrothes closed off after van bursts into flames
Play icon
Edinburgh & East

Road closed off after van bursts into flames

Rihanna debuts baby bump on star-studded Met Gala blue carpet
Play icon
UK & International

Rihanna debuts baby bump on star-studded Met Gala blue carpet

Serial killer nurse’s appeal case begins 17 years after conviction
Play icon
Glasgow & West

Serial killer nurse's appeal case begins 17 years after conviction

Latest in Football

Brian Graham says Jags must ‘let shackles off’ in bid to turn Ayr tie around
Football

Graham says Jags must ‘let shackles off’ in bid to turn Ayr tie around

Danny Armstrong won’t rule out Kilmarnock stay but will keep options open
Football

Danny Armstrong won't rule out Kilmarnock stay but will keep options open

Aberdeen boss Jimmy Thelin wins April Manager of the Month Award
Football

Aberdeen boss Jimmy Thelin wins April Manager of the Month Award

‘McFratm’: Naples celebrates Scotland and Napoli star Scott McTominay with square sausage pizza
Football

‘McFratm’: Naples celebrates Scott McTominay with lorne sausage pizza

Dunfermline in talks with Victor Wanyama to extend East End Park stay
Football

Dunfermline in talks with Victor Wanyama to extend East End Park stay

Kilmarnock assistant Paul Sheerin not surprised at Derek McInnes’ Hearts link
Play icon
Football

Kilmarnock assistant Sheerin not surprised at McInnes’ Hearts link

SPFL revamp cup competition in new ‘Champions League-style’ format
Football

SPFL revamp cup competition in new 'Champions League-style' format

Trending Now

‘Do not eat’: Giovanni Rana beef lasagne pulled from shelves as some packs filled with prawn and lobster
Scotland

'Do not eat': Beef lasagne pulled from shelves as some filled with prawns

Scots town named most affordable place for families to live in UK
North East & Tayside

Scots town named most affordable place for families to live in UK

Sir David Attenborough praised at Holyrood for ‘influence’ on his 99th birthday
Scotland

Sir David Attenborough praised for 'influence' on his 99th birthday