World Cup dream shattered for scoring Zahavi and penalty killer Marciano

Saturday, October 9, 2021 at 20:00• Mart van Mourik • Last update: 20:19

Scotland secured a victory over Israel on Saturday night. For a long time it looked like the World Cup qualifier would end in a draw, but in the 94th minute Scott McTominay made the decision: 3-2. Eran Zahavi brilliantly made the opening goal from a free kick, while Feyenoord goalkeeper Ofir Marciano also stood out by stopping a penalty from Lyndon Dykes. In Group F, Denmark leads the pack with eighteen points from six matches, and the Scots follow in second (fourteen out of seven). Israel’s World Cup dream (ten out of seven) seems to be falling apart due to the late defeat.

Early in the game, Zahavi was pushed to the ground just outside the box by Jack Hendry. The PSV striker then took the free kick himself and found the top left corner in a brilliant way: 1-0. After the goal there was an impasse, which was broken by Scotland after half an hour of play. After beautiful combination football, Andrew Robertson served John McGinn on the edge of the sixteen. The attacker was given the space to lash out and did it superbly: 1-1. Two minutes after the equalizer, however, the team of national coach Steve Clarke had to give chase again.

After a carom in front of Craig Gordon’s goal, the ball came at the feet of Munas Dabbur, who could easily tap in the 1-2 from close range. Scotland had an excellent opportunity to level the score on the stroke of half-time. Bibras Natcho floored Billy Gilmour with an uncontrolled sliding into the penalty area, after which referee Szymon Marciniak pointed to the spot. Dykes took responsibility, but hit Marciano with the shot through the middle. In the second act Dykes took revenge.

The Queens Park Rangers striker came at the height of the five-meter line for Ofri Arad and scored the 2-2 from Robertson’s cross. Marciniak initially disallowed the goal for an alleged foul by Dykes, but after viewing the video footage, the referee corrected his earlier decision: goal approved. The scorer of the second Scottish goal had two more chances in the remainder of the game, but in both cases there was no goal. In the final phase Marciano kept Israel on his feet beautifully by blocking a shot from close range from McGinn with his feet.

Nevertheless, the Israelis capitulated in the absolute final phase. A corner from the right was extended by Hendry, who consciously or unintentionally brought McTominay into position. The midfielder was able to tap in from close range: 3-2. It was the first international goal for McTominay, who has worn the Scotland shirt 27 times so far.