Belarus 0-2 Scotland
FIFA World Cup Qualifying 
Monday, 8 September 2025
ZTE Arena, Zalaegerszeg

Scotland produced a professional display to overcome a stubborn Belarus side, with a Che Adams close-range finish and a Zakhar Volkov own goal giving Steve Clarke's side a 2-0 win in Zalaegerszeg.

Scotland sit joint top of Group C alongside Denmark and face a pivotal home double header against Greece and Belarus, with tickets for both matches available to buy here.

 

Scorers

Belarus 0

Scotland 2 (Adams '43, Volkov own goal '65) 

Team News

 

As It Happened

After a slow start to the game, in which Scotland dominated possession but struggled to break down their opponents, Billy Gilmour had Scotland's first chance in the 17th minute. Gannon-Doak showed superb skill on the left wing and although his cross was partially cleared, it fell invitingly for Gilmour who worked a save from goalkeeper Fedor Lapoukhov with a low shot from the edge of the box.

Belarus had little of the ball but they were creating moments for themselves, with Kirill Pechenin heading straight at Gunn before the wing-back then produced a dangerous cross that John Souttar had to expertly head away from danger. 

The next half chance for the away side came in the 27th minute when Andy Robertson's free-kick was met by the head of Souttar but the defender's effort was comfortably over the bar.

Scotland's best chance of the match came a minute later, with Gannon-Doak again involved. The winger switched the ball to Johnston and his first time volleyed cross was met by Scott McTominay who poked the ball agonisingly wide of the post. 

The Scots were then given a mighty let off in the 39th minute when Max Ebong was allowed space to gallop down the left wing and shoot unopposed, but goalkeeper Gunn made a big save at his near post.

Gilmour had got a sighter earlier in the match and he had another effort from the same distance in the 42nd minute, with home stopper Lapoukhov shovelling the ball onto the post. 

It did not matter though as the Scots took the lead moments later. John McGinn's deep cross was headed back across goal by McTominay and Adams slid the ball home from a couple of yards out to give Scotland the breakthrough just before half-time.

McTominay had the first chance of the second half in the 53rd minute but the midfielder could only head McGinn's inswinging cross straight at the goalkeeper.

The Napoli midfielder was looking the most likely and he worked space in the box nicely just before the hour mark but his left footed attempt flew harmlessly over.  

Trofim Melnichenko then had the hosts' first chance of the second half in the 63rd minute when he latched onto a hopeful ball up the park and cut inside before firing straight at Gunn. 

Scotland were searching for a second goal to make the game safe and we got it in the 65th minute. Gilmour, who was excellent on the night, exchanged passes with Adams and headed the ball across goal where Belarus defender Zakhar Volkov could only divert the ball into his own goal. 

 

Clarke looked to his bench for the first time in the 74th minute with the tireless Doak replaced by Christie, while Hickey stepped up his recovery from injury by replacing Johnston.

Adams was eyeing up a second and he got another chance in the 75th minute as defenders backed off him at the edge of the box but his stop was comfortably saved by Lapoukhov. 

It was one-way traffic and a precise move involving Robertson, McTominay and substitute Christie ended with McGinn being denied by the sprawling Lapoukhov at close range with ten minutes remaining in the match. 

Scotland then had an even better chance two minutes later when Robertson's cross found Che Adams but his touch forced him wide, allowing the Belarus defence to clear off the line. 

Kenny McLean and Lyndon Dykes then replaced Adams and Gilmour as Scotland looked to see the game out, which we did comfortably to round off a successful week that sees Scotland joint top of Group C alongside Denmark after two games.

Post-Match Reaction

Next-Up

Scotland now face Greece in what could be a pivotal match at Hampden on Thursday, 9 October before facing Belarus three days later on Sunday, 12 October. 

The short campaign then concludes with a match away to Greece on Saturday, 15 November and a home game against Denmark on Tuesday, 18 November. 

Tickets for all three home matches are still available here.

Teams

Scotland: Gunn, Johnston (Hickey '74), Souttar, McKenna, Robertson, Gilmour (McLean '83), Ferguson, McTominay (Miller '90), McGinn, Gannon-Doak (Christie '74), Adams (Dykes '83) 

Unused substitutes: Kelly, Clark, Hanley, Doig, Hendry, Hirst, Bowie,