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://prod.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://prod.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://prod.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://prod.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://prod.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://prod.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

Met Office issues third weather warning as Scotland hit with Arctic snow and ice
Live

Third weather warning as Scotland hit with Arctic snow and ice

Children’s charity Aberlour warns tackling poverty in Scotland ‘needs same emergency response as Covid pandemic’
Scotland

Tackling poverty in Scotland 'needs same emergency response as Covid'

Tensions run high on Scottish farms over inheritance tax changes
Insight

Tensions run high on Scottish farms over inheritance tax changes

Haley Bouma
Missing man from Dundee found ‘safe and well’ after appeal launched
North East & Tayside

Missing man found 'safe and well' after appeal launched  

More than 2,000 people killed or seriously injured on roads in Scotland in 2023
Scotland

More than 2,000 people killed or seriously injured on Scottish roads last year

Scotland face Poland with eyes on Nations League prizes
Sport

Scotland face Poland with eyes on Nations League prizes

Stornoway Tesco opens on Sunday for first time in 16 years as community reacts
Highlands & Islands

Stornoway Tesco opens on Sunday for first time in 16 years amid protest

Popular Videos

Public given say on whether to introduce Highlands tourist tax
Play icon
Highlands & Islands

Public have say on whether tourist tax should be introduced in Highlands

Govan Graving Docks: New film reveals £125m plans to transform historical Glasgow landmark
Play icon
Glasgow & West

New film reveals £125m plans to transform historical Glasgow landmark

Thieves steal cashmere and whisky as staff left afraid on ‘lawless’ Royal Mile
Play icon
Edinburgh & East

Thieves steal cashmere and whisky as staff left afraid on 'lawless' Royal Mile

Kirkcaldy mum calls for more stem cell donors to sign up to register after rare cancer diagnosis
Play icon
North East & Tayside

Donor appeal: 'Thought that I might not be here for my daughter is terrifying'

Planning decision on Dundee FC’s proposed new stadium could be imminent 
Play icon
North East & Tayside

Planning decision on Dundee FC's proposed new stadium could be imminent 

Latest in Football

Steve Clarke may change a winning side for Scotland’s big date against Poland
Football

Clarke may change winning side for Scotland’s big date against Poland

Embattled Poland camp shows united front before Nations League tie with Scotland
Football

Embattled Poland show united front before Nations League tie with Scotland

Anthony Ralston vows to ‘cherish every moment’ with Scotland
Football

Anthony Ralston vows to ‘cherish every moment’ with Scotland

Gregor Townsend hails Scotland’s strength in depth after beating Portugal
Play icon
Football

Gregor Townsend hails Scotland’s strength in depth after beating Portugal

Craig Gordon urges Scotland to push on after important Croatia win
Play icon
Football

Craig Gordon urges Scotland to push on after important Croatia win

‘I don’t see names, I just do my best’: Ben Doak wasn’t fazed by Croatia’s stars
Play icon
Football

'I don't see names, I just do my best': Ben Doak wasn't fazed by Croatia's stars

Steve Clarke feels Scotland were ‘due’ after lucky break in win over Croatia
Football

Clarke feels Scotland were ‘due’ after lucky break in win over Croatia

Trending Now

Daughter of late comic Janey Godley wins two Bafta Scotland awards
Entertainment

Daughter of late comic Janey Godley wins two Bafta Scotland awards

Chart topping Scottish DJs to partner with Tennent’s for secret gig
Entertainment

Chart topping Scottish DJs to host secret 'off-licence' gig

Some arts festivals could close amid ‘significant financial challenges’
Scotland

Some arts festivals could close amid ‘significant financial challenges’