GLASGOW, Oct 10: Denmark marched on in its perfect World Cup qualifying campaign and Scotland found a stoppage-time winning goal against Israel to tighten its grip on second place in Europe Group F on Saturday.
Denmark’s 4-0 win at Moldova made it seven straight wins, still no goals conceded, and a seven-point lead over Scotland with three rounds of games left.
Captain Simon Kjær’s goal from the penalty spot was one of four in a 21-minute spell before halftime for the Danes. Their total of 26 is best in the 55-nation European qualifying program.
Denmark next hosts Austria, which won at the Faeroe Islands 2-0 but stayed in fourth place.
Scotland put its fans through an emotional evening against Israel before Scott McTominay scored late to secure a 3-2 win at a sold-out Hampden Park.
The Manchester United defender used his stomach to bundle the ball over the goal-line when he was unmarked at the far post after a corner.
Scotland was trailing 2-1 in the first half when a penalty kick by Lyndon Dykes was saved. When Dykes did score to level the game early in the second half, it was first ruled out for a foul and then given only after a lengthy video review.
Scotland was four points clear of Israel and well set to finish runner-up and go to the 12-team playoffs in March. The Scots next play at the Faeroe Islands on Tuesday when Israel hosts Moldova.
England moved closer to World Cup qualification with a 5-0 win at Andorra on Saturday.
Ben Chilwell and Bukayo Saka scored in the first half against the side ranked 156th in the world then Tammy Abraham, James Ward-Prowse and Jack Grealish scored after the break.
Just 2,285 were in attendance at Estadi Nacional, where the hosts worked overnight to repair the damage caused by the touchline fire around the TV gantry area on the eve of the game.
The Europe Group I match saw Ukraine’s Kateryna Monzul become the first woman to referee a senior England men’s match.
Phil Foden was the architect of both first-half goals, providing the ball for Chilwell’s first international goal and then Saka’s thumping strike. Abraham, making his first international start in four years, turned home a cross from Jadon Sancho in the 59th minute.
Grealish was brought down in the box and Ward-Prowse scored from the rebound after his penalty was saved. Grealish scored his first England goal in the 86th, striking low beyond Gomes after collecting a long throw from goalkeeper Sam Johnstone.
England kept a national record 12th clean sheet in a calendar year. With only the group winners automatically qualifying for the World Cup in Qatar next year, England is four points ahead of second-placed Albania.
Albania won at Hungary 1-0 through Armando Broja’s goal in a stadium closed to fans due a racism punishment.
Poland is a point further back in third place after routing San Marino 5-0. (AP)
