Moldova 0-2 Scotland: Steve Clarke's men seal World Cup play-off spot
Nathan Patterson calmed the nerves with his first Scotland goal, then teed up Che Adams to double the lead. Craig Gordon's vital penalty save denied the hosts a late lifeline. A fifth straight victory for Steve Clarke's men opens a seven-point gap - Israel is level with Austria after a 4-2 defeat in Klagenfurt - with Denmark already qualified as Group F winners.
Scotland completes the campaign against the Danes at Hampden on Monday when the hosts are likely to need a point to earn a home semi-final in the play-offs. A year after the epic play-off shootout over Serbia sent Scotland to Euro 2020, ending more than two decades of significant tournament exile, another important - and anxious - night awaited Clarke's men.
But they spared the Tartan Army further torture with an impressive and controlled performance where, once ahead, they never looked in danger. The visitors had to do without in-form striker Lyndon Dykes, whose four-game scoring streak was halted by suspension, with Adams returning to lead the line.
The Southampton forward had a goal ruled offside in the opening two minutes - and repeated the feat after the break - as Scotland's glut of early chances failed to yield an opener. Moldova, the bottom of the group with a solitary point, is ranked 181st in the world but had proved an awkward obstacle in their 1-0 defeat at Hampden in September.
And it required Gordon's incredible save to deny them a shock opener here. A header from Artur Ionita, who earlier flashed angled drive inches wide, bounced up off the turf, and Gordon showed lightning-quick reflexes to turn the ball over the bar.
The scare stunted Scotland's momentum after they had peppered the hosts' goal. Stanislav Namasco impressively repelled strikes from Billy Gilmour and Stuart Armstrong. At the same time, captain Andy Robertson galloped clear but fired straight at the keeper when the far corner was the better option.
However, as half-time beckoned, Scotland crafted a marvellous goal. Billy Gilmour dug out a pass from the right touchline into the box to John McGinn, whose lay-off was perfect for Patterson to burst, take a touch and hammer into the bottom corner with his weaker left foot.
His first Scotland goal on his sixth cap is a moment to cherish for the 20-year-old Rangers full-back. However, he will miss Monday's meeting with Denmark after a second-half yellow card. Adams could not force the ball beyond Namasco right after the restart as Scotland sought the comfort of a second.
When it arrived shortly after the hour, it was another brilliant move. McGinn's backheel nutmegged his marker to release Patterson down the right, and his cutback left Adams with a simple finish.
With the pressure off, Scotland turned on the style. Liam Cooper had a downward header booted off the line by Veaceslav Posmac, Adams bundled home the rebound from a Callum McGregor drive before being flagged offside, and Gilmour dragged wide.
Even when Patterson was penalised for handball following a VAR check, Gordon capped his superb display. He prevented a nervy finale by diving to his right to parry Vadim Rata's spot-kick. Credit to Kieran Tierney, too, for racing in to prevent Rata from netting the loose ball.
In the closing minutes, Stoke City striker Jacob Brown was handed a debut off the bench as Scotland moved within two wins of their first World Cup appearance since 1998.
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