Scotland 0-4 Belgium
International Friendly
Friday, 7 September, 7.45pm kick off
Hampden Park, Glasgow

Belgium: Romelu Lukaku (28), Eden Hazard (48), Michy Batshuayi (51), (59)

In Belgium’s first match since their third place finish at the FIFA World Cup, they ran away 4-0 winners against Scotland.

They led 1-0 at the break and Scotland had competed well but three quick fire goals at the start of the second half knocked the stuffing out the home side and secured the win for Roberto Martinez’s side.

Alex McLeish named a strong line-up for the visit of the star studded Belgians with John Souttar making his debut and Andy Robertson making his first start as Captain.

Leigh Griffiths also made his first start for Scotland under Alex McLeish.

Belgium named a full strength team for the match with Martinez starting Courtois, Kompany, Lukaku, and Eden Hazard.

Scotland started sprightly and were close to having the ball in the back of the net within minutes through Callum McGregor but unfortunately Leigh Griffiths was adjudged to have strayed offside in the build up.

Fresh from finishing third in the FIFA World Cup, Belgium were dangerous from the outset with Eden’s brother Thorgan Hazard going close in the opening 10 minutes.

John McGinn began the game at the heart of Scotland’s midfield and he stung the gloves of Thibault Courtois after 22 minutes.

The Aston Villa midfielder was caught out after 28 minutes following a throw from Craig Gordon. McGinn was robbed of possession by Mousa Dembele who fed the ball into the box before Romelu Lukaku coolly slotted home his 41st goal for his country.

Belgium grew into the game and had a strong penalty claim on 38 minutes before Vincent Kompany crashed a header off the crossbar.

John Souttar was kept busy on his first appearance in a Scotland shirt and he did well just before half time to clear the ball under extreme pressure from Romelu Lukaku.

Craig Gordon kept the score to 1-0 at the break with a miraculous double save. Firstly he blocked a shot from Eden Hazard before immediately tipping the Lukaku follow up onto the post.

At the start of the second-half Belgium took centre stage and Chelsea’s Hazard smashed the ball through Gordon’s gloves from inside the box.

Substitute Michy Batshuayi made an instant impact coming off the bench at half time, scoring two goals in quick succession.

Scotland continued to fight despite the scoreline and were close to replying with a goal but substitute Steven Naismith saw his shot well blocked by Thibaut Courtois from a dangerous Calum McGregor cross.

Ryan Fraser also tested the Real Madrid, £70 million goalkeeper from distance but they were unable to find a way beyond the man mountain.

What’s Next?

The Nations League has already began and on Monday night, Albania visit Hampden Park for what is a crucial game for Alex McLeish’s side.

Buy tickets now

Scotland: Gordon, Fraser, Robertson (Captain), Souttar, Mulgrew (O’Donnell, 67), Tierney, McGinn (Shinnie, 73), McDonald (Snodgrass 52), Griffiths (Naismith, 45), McGregor (Russell, 67), Armstrong (Jack, 52)

Unused substitutes: McGregor, Archer, Paterson, Forrest, McTominay

Belgium: Courtois, Kompany (Vermaelen, 45), Vertonghen, Lukaku (Batshuayi, 45), Eden Hazard (Vanaken, 54) (Captain), Mertens, Thorgan Hazard, Dembele (Verstraete, 84), Boyata, Castagne (Meunier, 45)

Unused substitutes: Sels, Casteels, Alderweireld, Witsel, Dendoncker, Carrasco, Trossard

Man of the Match: Andy Robertson

Attendance: 20,196