British success has been hard to come by – especially when it comes to football. With England’s 1966 World Cup win still the one and only, Scotland have lived in the shadow of that for many years. Despite the odd false dawn, they are now 90 minutes away from a World Cup final. Och aye!

Scotland are breaking new ground. Before this tournament, they’d never made it past the group stage of any major tournament. 3 weeks later, they are about to kick off their quarter final tie with Denmark, having seen off Portugal in the round of 16. With expectations exceeded, is the handbrake off for Scotland? We’re not far away from finding out.

This is not a drill. Scotland are about to play in a knockout game at a major tournament. Standing in their way are Portugal – Figo, Paulo Sousa, Nuno Gomes…to name just three. It’s a mighty task facing the Scots but you know fine well the Tartan Army will do everything they can to keep this summer party going.

STORY SO FAR

After an opening game loss to Italy, Scotland advanced from the group after convincing wins over Senegal and India. Scotland found their shooting boots, eventually, but there are huge question marks over the defence and goalkeeper. More on that in a minute. First though, here’s how the tournament is shaping up

So it is Denmark who await the winners of this game, and it’s fair to say the bottom half of the draw is a lot kinder than the top. For Scotland, there’s also the added bonus that England are out. For Portugal, there’s a very realistic chance to reach the final. It is beautifully set up here in Seoul.

TEAM NEWS

Two changes for Scotland, with Neil Sullivan replacing Rab Douglas in goal and Lee Wilkie replacing Matt Elliott at centre back. Captain Barry Ferguson fell heavily on his wrist in training and will play with strapping, though he is expected to be fine.

It’s a huge call to change goalkeeper but we’ll see just how big over the coming 90 minutes. Portugal line up with an old fashioned 4-4-2 with Figo and Sergio Conceicao on the wings.

The Dutch officials, led by Referee Dick Jol (brother of Martin), bring the teams out onto the pitch. It’s anthems time, and then we’ll get underway. Portugal won all three games in their group, scoring 8 and conceding 0. It’s a huge task for Scotland, with Port Vale’s Stephen McPhee leading the line with 8 goals in 8 caps. Ironically, he has more international goals than Nuno Gomes…

It’s more Glasgow than Lisbon here though, with big winds about making it a gusty old day. Still 26 degrees though. The players are ready…

KICK OFF – Portugal kick us underway.

3 mins – Nervy start you’d have to say. It’s very scrappy as a result, neither team are able to really get going.

7 mins – There’s our first half chance. It’s Scotland too, who have settled the better of the two sides. McCann and Kerr combine before Kerr feeds Nicholas down the left of the box. It sits up nicely and the young Spurs forward takes a swing at it, but it goes well over the bar.

10 mins – What a miss! Oh he has to score.

Nuno Gomes picks the ball up wide on the left and after a couple of step overs he’s left Barry Ferguson inside out. He then whips in an unbelievable cross that he wishes he could be on the end of himself, but instead it’s his strike partner Sa Pinto arriving at the far post with ¾ of a goal to aim at. However, it slices off his foot at some ridiculous angle and behind for a goal kick. It’s a very bad miss.

13 mins – All Portugal now, here’s another chance. In a reverse of the chance a few minutes ago, Sa Pinto chips a cross in and Nuno Gomes can’t quite get a good enough contact on the volley to really test Sullivan, who happily collapses on the ball.

16 mins – YELLOW CARD

This has been bubbling up. A few minutes ago Sa Pinto slapped Ferguson’s bandaged wrist and since then there’s been a constant chatter between the two. I’m not even sure they speak the same language but that probably doesn’t help. Sa Pinto catches Ferguson and Ferguson reacts, squaring up to Sa Pinto before teammates restrain him. The Scotland captain is booked – nothing for Sa Pinto though.

21 mins – Oh my, how have Portugal not scored here? Conceicao out runs Naysmith and floats over a great cross which Sa Pinto is all over. He beats Wilkie in the air and it’s a top save from Sullivan to keep it out, but it spills back into play. Sa Pinto looks odd on to open the scoring before Sullivan recovers to smother the loose ball. Phew!

25 mins – The play is in a pattern now, Portugal keep the ball and Scotland can’t get out. Rui Jorge goes on a marauding run before teasing the ball into the area for that man Sa Pinto again. His header is parried again by Sullivan before Nuno Gomes arrives on the scene. He is immediately crowded out and in trying to return it to Pinto, Gary Naysmith gets in the way and clears.

30 mins – Scotland have withheld the pressure and are keeping the ball themselves now. We’re getting the Irn Bru version of ‘Vindaloo’ from the Tartan Army, which will help.

34 mins – Stephen McPhee thinks he has scored but it’s a great save from Vitor Baia. Neil McCann the creator this time, teasing a cross in that McPhee diverts towards the bottom corner and only great reflexes from the Portugal ‘keeper keeps it 0-0.

36 mins – Vitor Baia is on one today. This time Craig Burley takes aim and it takes a fingertip save to keep it goalless. The resulting corner is scrambled away.

39 mins – Scotland have grown in the game and both teams look like they have settled for half time.

44 mins – 2 minutes added on here.

45 mins – GOAL! Portugal 0 – 1 Scotland (Barry Ferguson)

What a time to score! Scotland have improved as the half went on and that is underlined by their captain putting them in front. Neil McCann is fed the ball between the defence and midfield by Ferguson and McCann fronts up Bino on the edge of the box, with the Portugese midfielder putting in a perfect tackle to stop McCann in his tracks. The ball runs loose and Barry Ferguson arrives on the scene to drill a low shot in from the edge of the area, which somehow takes no deflection and leaves the keeper stranded. It’s pandemonium in the Scottish end! Irn Bru Irn Bru na na!

HALF TIME – Portugal 0 – 1 Scotland

Wow! A perfect half for Scotland, one more and they are in the quarter finals. The second half though might last forever if you are a Scotland fan and it stays 1-0. Here is the story of the match so far

The statistics show it’s been fairly even, even if Scotland are being dominated aerially

On the ratings front, the recalled Neil Sullivan is making the shirt his own at the moment

Are you nervous? There’s a huge 45 minutes coming up for both teams. Can Scotland hold on? Heck, can they get a second?

KICK OFF –Scotland get us back underway here in Seoul.

48 mins – Ominous start from the Portugese, with Figo pulling the strings. The playmaker finds Sa Pinto who hangs up a cross and Nuno Gomes loops a header wide. Hopefully that’s as close as it gets.

50 mins – SUBSTITUTION

Double change for Portugal, and it’s the two strikers who are replaced. Pauleta and Joao Tomas arrive at the expense of Sa Pinto and Nuno Gomes. Meanwhile Craig Burley pings a free kick into the wall from fully 35 yards.

54 mins – Good strength from Stephen McPhee, holding the ball up and drawing the foul from Rui Jorge. Ferguson’s free kick is a bit flat and Steven Nicholas flicks it on but Neil McCann needs to grow 3 foot to do anything with it, a feat he doesn’t manage.

60 mins – Half an hour to go, Scotland are doing ok here…

65 mins – Is this experience or stupidity from David Weir? Paulo Sousa knocks it past him and, with the play a good 40 yards from goal, Weir just leans into his man and the referee gives a free kick. No booking, and the decision is vindicated when Lee Wilkie clears Figo’s resulting free kick.

68 mins – SUBSTITUTION

Last change from Portugal, Sergio Conceicao is off and Pedro Barbosa is on.

69 mins – GOAL! Portugal 1 – 1 Scotland (Pedro Barbosa)

What a substitution! He’s been on less than a minute and his first touch is the equaliser. Another substitute Joao Tomas nearly scores, being brilliantly denied by Sullivan, however Ferguson can only half clear. Bino and Sousa combine before the latter finds Pauleta, who rolls the ball across the 6 yard box and Pedro Barbosa bundles in with his first touch. What are you made of Scotland?

73 mins – Scotland are creaking now. Lee Wilkie denies Pauleta in the nick of time before Beto steps up and find Joao Tomas, who hits a low shot that Sullivan does well to hold. Changes are imminent to try and stem the tide.

75 mins – SUBSTITUTION

Paul Rudden is the man entrusted to try and shore up that midfield for Scotland. Craig Burley is the man replaced.

77 mins – GOAL! Portugal 1 – 2 Scotland (Steven Nicholas)

It’s in! I’m tempted to just mash the keyboard but that wouldn’t be conducive. Russell Anderson does great down the right and find Kerr. Kerr sprays a ball about 40 yards out to Neil McCann who has got himself isolated with Xavier. McCann burns him down the outside, whips over a cross and there’s Steven Nicholas to meet the ball on the bounce sliding in from no more than 3 or 4 yards out to put Scotland back in front. Can they hold on this time?

83 mins – Scotland have grown. They are men out there, seeing this out like tournament pros. Russell Anderson sends a cross into the box that he over hits and nearly catches out Vitor Baia, but the veteran stopper plucks it out from under his own crossbar.

86 mins – Portugal are pumping the ball into the area from all angles but Scotland are dealing with everything so far. They can’t get out though, it is going to be a long 4 minutes plus whatever is added on.

90 mins – 3 minutes added on. 3 minutes for Scotland to hold on.

90+2 mins – GOAL! Portugal 2 – 2 Scotland (Bino)

No, no, no, no, no. NO! Portugal have been pushing and after Pauleta collects an overhit cross, he swings a cross over and Bino arrives on the scene and jumps highest to plant a header into Sullivan’s goal. That is crushing.

FULL TIME – Portugal 2 – 2 Scotland

Pass the drink. Anything alcoholic. What a way for Portugal to keep themselves alive. It’s extra time here in Seoul. Here’s the story of the match

Such a sickener. Can Black raise his team? The stats show a draw is probably fair…

Scotland aren’t rating as highly as you might think, given what they have gone through in the last 90 minutes.

KICK OFF – Remember, Golden Goal is in operation here. Next goal is the winner. And if there is no goal…penalties.

SUBSTITUTION

Scotland send on Mark Burchill for Neil McCann. Fresh legs are probably wise at this stage.

94 mins – Neither team are willing to over commit. Any mistake now would be fatal so maybe not surprising.

98 mins – If it goes to penalties, Scotland have one player who has taken a competitive penalty this season. That was in Division 2.

103 mins – A chance! The only one of extra time so far. Pauleta feeds Joao Tomas and his low shot is straight at Sullivan.

HALF TIME – Portugal 2 – 2 Scotland

Quick turnaround. Dick Jol is keen to get home.

KICK OFF – Fifteen minutes maximum for us to find a 5^th goal. Denmark will be loving this.

109 mins – It’s been a very cagey 20 minutes so a set piece could be vital. Ferguson spins over a free kick from wide on the left and McPhee tries to get on the end of Weir’s flick, but Fernando Couto shuts the door.

113 mins – As you were then, are we going to have a hero in open play or is it going to take penalties?

117 mins – More of that please. Pauleta slaps a speculative long range shot way over the bar.

120 mins – 1 added minute, then the dreaded penalties.

FULL TIME – Portugal 2 – 2 Scotland – MATCH GOES TO PENALTIES

Scotland were hanging on at times but it’s time for a lottery. But what is the next twist?

The ratings are still heavy in Portugal’s favour, not that it matters of course.

Well. 120 minutes later and I have nothing left. I can only imagine what the players are going through, particularly Scotland. How did they raise themselves after conceding such a late goal? Are penalties going to be the cruellest of endings to this tale for Scotland? Good luck, you brave bastards.

Here we go then, Portugal first. Captain Figo puts himself forward.

Figo SCORES (Portugal 1 – 0 Scotland)

I think this is called putting your best foot forward. Top corner, no chance Sullivan.

McPhee SCORES (Portugal 1 – 1 Scotland)

McPhee is the only player in Scotland’s team to take a pen for his club this season. He scored both of those and he makes it a third here.

Rui Jorge SCORES (Portugal 2 – 1 Scotland)

Bang, straight down the middle. Sullivan went to his right.

Kerr SCORES (Portugal 2 – 2 Scotland)

No nerves from the young man, finding the corner and giving Vitor Baia no chance.

Pauleta SCORES (Portugal 3 – 2 Scotland)

A stuttering run up but a seamless pen. Pressure on Scotland again…

Ferguson SCORES (Portugal 3 – 3 Scotland)

Bad wrist or not, the captain scores!

Beto SCORES (Portugal 4 – 3 Scotland)

Another great pen, Portugal practice these I think. Top bin.

Nicholas SCORES (Portugal 4 – 4 Scotland)

The young man from Tottenham keeps his nerve and we’re down to essentially sudden death.

Bino SAVED (Portugal 4 – 4 Scotland)

HE’S SAVED IT!!! Neil Sullivan! SAVED!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Burchill SCORES (Portugal 4 – 5 Scotland)

Don’t you bloody dare miss…HE HASN’T! Scotland!!!!!!

SCOTLAND WIN 5 – 4 ON PENALTIES

Unbelievable. Neil Sullivan is the hero, there’s a pile of Scotland players on him. Bino is the comic book villain. Even in these tense times I can find time for a pun. I could cry.

Whilst I get something out of my eye, here’s the important overview

So ironic that Bino has gone from potential statue to villain within 45 minutes. Of course, penalties are a lottery and you can’t really blame him. It wasn’t a great pen but you have to give credit to Neil Sullivan. He gambled and pulled off a great save. And how about the Scotland penalties? Fantastic.

Here is the confirmation of that World Cup Quarter Final draw

You have to say, the bottom half of the draw is anybody’s game now. The top half is a minefield, just think, if Scotland had beaten Italy and won the group they’d be up against Brazil. What it does mean is that I’ll be back next Wednesday with Scotland vs Denmark. See you then!

Scotland stand on the brink of history, having never made it past the group stage at a major championships.

India stand on the brink of history, here at their first finals a win will put them in the last 16.

Something has to give. Welcome to Tokyo. It’s Scotland vs India.

AS IT STANDS

So the important bit first, this is how the group looks heading into today’s game

Italy have qualified after they beat India 4-1 just hours after Scotland beat Senegal by the same score line. As the goal difference is very much in Scotland’s favour, a draw would be enough for them to quality, whereas India must win.

TEAM NEWS

Scotland are unchanged, with just the one absentee in the squad as Robbie Winters continues his recovery from a thigh injury.

India stick with 4-4-2, the danger men being Leeds midfielder Harpal Singh and frontman Bijen Singh

The prize for getting through is a game against Portugal or Colombia, who have both qualified from group F and face each other tomorrow to determine who will draw the short straw of facing Italy and who will get the rather more pleasant prize of India or Scotland. No offence intended.

Whilst I’ve been prattling away, the players are on the pitch and about to observe the anthems of the two nations.

KICK OFF – The ball is at the feet of Bhutia and Prakash, and we’re off! Scotland will be playing towards the Tartan Army in the second half, will that make a difference? Despite the gross difference in population, the Scotland fans far outnumber the Indian fans here in Tokyo today.

2 mins – Goodness me, it’s nearly the best possible start for Scotland. Mark Kerr – getting better with every game – goes on a mazy dribble that starts in his own half and ends with a cross from the right hand side level with the 18 yard box. Stephen McPhee peels round to the back post and throws himself at it, but it drifts wide. That was mighty close.

5 mins – It’s all Scotland so far, keeping possession and, dare I say it, they look far the more organised of the two teams. They’ll want an early goal to calm the nerves, you wouldn’t fancy India to get two.

10 mins – Good save! Neil McCann starts pulling the strings and he slides in Craig Burley down the left of the box. Burley cuts inside Mandal and leaves the defender on his backside, before trying to bend it into the far corner. The outstretched fingers of Max Hunt just about keep it out though, before McCann’s corner is cleared by Chacko.

13 mins – Half chance for Burley but Hunt is out quickly to smother. It’s coming for Scotland, I have a good feeling.

17 mins – I take it back, nothing is happening. Early momentum lost.

20 mins – Good work from Kerr and Burley to work an opening, but McPhee can’t take in Burley’s pass and Hunt is out quickly again. More frustration for Scotland.

24 mins – What a counter this is. India actually have a free kick in a threatening position, out wide on the left. Bhutia swings it in and Naysmith heads it away. Russell Anderson, the right back, leads the charge out and wins a 50/50 with the Indian defender before knocking it past the next defender, without ever really looking like he’s in control of his legs. He is off balance when he slides the ball across towards McPhee and it allows Avinash Thapa to get back in the nick of time. Anderson looks distraught.

29 mins – India’s turn to have a bit of possession. It’s 23 degrees, but very humid as you would expect.

32 mins – Nowhere near. This time it’s Naysmith combining with Kerr down the left before McPhee volleys the latter’s cross miles wide of the goal.

35 mins – Craig Burley, who has been missing for 15 minutes, robs Harpal Singh in the middle of the pitch and looks to pick out McPhee over the top. It’s a half volley this time from McPhee but it’s as bad as his effort a few minutes ago, and it remains goalless.

37 mins – GOAL FOR SCOTLAND! Scotland 1 – 0 India (Craig Burley)

There’s Burley! To be fair, he couldn’t miss. Steven Nicholas collects Burley’s pass before turning and hitting a low shot that Hunt can only parry. Burley arrives on the scene to score in an empty net. It looks easy but that’s 36 minutes of trying paying off.

40 mins – The Scotland fans are singing ‘Vindaloo’ but rather ‘Irn Bru’ – other drinks are available. Steven Nicholas is everywhere at the minute, going on a little dribble before firing in a shot that Hunt saves. The corner comes to nothing.

43 mins – Chance for India! At last. Bhutia finds Bijen Singh and his snapshot from the edge of the box is inches wide. That would have been a real sickener.

45 mins – Just the one minute added on.

One final chance in the half as Barry Ferguson – who has ran this game – plays a couple of give and goes before lifting a ball into the box and the unlikely figure of Mark Kerr meets it with a diving header. It’s wide though, and that’s half time

HALF TIME: Scotland 1 – 0 India

It’s been a dominant half for Scotland but just the one goal to show for it. India have only managed one shot but whilst they are only a goal behind, you never know. Here’s some stats

The player ratings look rather better for Scotland than they do for India. Max Hunt has been far and away their best player.

Interestingly, it’s 0-0 in Yokohama between Italy and Senegal. Well, I say interestingly, nobody really cares. Italy are through as winners and Senegal are out.

So 45 minutes away from history for Scotland. Remember, they’ve never made it beyond the group stage. If the first half is anything to go by, it would take a remarkable turnaround for that run to continue.

KICK OFF – Here we are then, everybody is back in situ. McPhee and Burley kick us underway.

46 mins – YELLOW CARD

India have already shown more in the opening minute of this half. Bhutia latches onto a loose ball about 35 yards from goal and David Weir takes no chance and takes him out. It’s an obvious yellow card.

47 mins – Panic stations in the Scotland box. Bijen Singh, a titan in the air, knocks down a ball into the box and his namesake Harpal latches on to it. The Leeds midfielder gets crowded out and forced wide, where his ball across the box is cleared, just about.

50 mins – This is a bad miss, and you just hope the game won’t turn on it. Mark Kerr is at the heart of everything again, playing an unbelievable pass through to Steven Nicholas who is one on one with the keeper. Nicholas scuffs the show and it beats the keeper but dribbles inches wide. He really should have scored.

54 mins – Nicholas again…this time Barry Ferguson whips a cross in and Nicholas tries to volley the ball goalwards, but it flashes well wide.

55 mins – SUBSTITUTION

Neil McCann is off, having flittered in and out of the game. Colin Cameron is on, who will give a little bit more control in there as we enter the later stages.

59 mins – The game is drifting along, there’s not really a great deal to report. Scotland keen not to over commit and offer a way back in, India presumably building up for a big finish.

63 mins – McPhee tries to use all his power but is bundled to the floor by Harpal Singh. Free kick in a decent position but Nicholas smashes it into the wall. Sums up this half really.

67 mins – More changes? All of Scotland’s 6 remaining subs are out warming up. It’s definitely stick or twist time.

71 mins – GOAL FOR SCOTLAND! Scotland 2 – 0 India (Stephen McPhee)

The boy wonder does it again! He’s not had a good afternoon in front of goal but he’s potentially headed Scotland into the last 16. The initial chance is David Weir’s, as he meets a Barry Ferguson free kick and draws a great save out of Max Hunt. India hack the ball away and it looks like the danger has gone, before Scotland recycle the play and Ferguson whips in an even better ball. McPhee arrives unmarked and bullets a header in. Game over? You’d think so.

73 mins – SUBSITITUTION

Double change for Scotland. Mark Kerr has been magnificent but is a yellow card away from a ban, so he is withdrawn for Paul Rudden. David Weir, booked in this match, is also withdrawn for Dominic Matteo.

75 mins – SUBSTITUTION

Triple change! India pulling out all the stops send on Chinani, Longcher and Gawli for Bhutia, Renedy Singh and Bungo Singh.

77 mins – That second goal has sparked India into action. Or maybe it’s the three subs. Harpal Singh works half a yard and smashes a shot towards Rab Douglas’ top corner, which Douglas turns behind. The corner causes mayhem but Mandal’s shot is blocked and Prakash is denied by a sprawling Barry Ferguson with the goal gaping. It’s not over yet.

81 mins – GOAL FOR INDIA! Scotland 2 – 1 India (Harpal Singh)

India are back in the game! It’s an awful goal to concede, one long ball seems to confuse Dominic Matteo and Bungo Singh smashes a shot off the crossbar. Scotland’s defence play statues and Harpal Singh arrives to reduce the arrears. Hmm. Can Scotland bring Kerr and Weir back on?

83 mins – How has Barry Ferguson not scored here? His first shot is well saved by Hunt, but Ferguson latches onto the rebound only to be denied again by Hunt. He’s done well, the 19 year old ‘keeper.

86 mins – Another save! Ferguson’s corner is low to the edge of the box where Rudden arrives and hits a low shot through bodies. Somehow Hunt reacts and keeps it out.

89 mins – GOAL FOR SCOTLAND! Scotland 3 – 1 India (Barry Ferguson)

At last, Barry Ferguson has his goal and Scotland have clarity. It’s another mighty effort from Max Hunt, who firstly denies Ferguson and Craig Burley’s rebound, but the third time is the charm as Ferguson buries his shot into the roof of the net. It’s been a captain’s performance and he has taken Scotland to the last 16.

90 mins – YELLOW CARD

Oh, Matt Elliott why did you do that? He takes out Bungo Singh with no danger imminent. Stupid.

3 minutes added on

FULL TIME: SCOTLAND 3 – 1 INDIA (SCOTLAND QUALIFY FOR LAST 16)

It’s over! The Tartan army are having a party. You can almost hear the sound of extra days off being booked and extra holiday money being sought. Colombia or Portugal await, we’ll find out tomorrow who it will be.

Let’s see that final table – Italy and Senegal played out a dire 0-0 draw

The statistics tell most of the story – 16 shots on target for 3 goals tells you how busy Max Hunt was in the India goal.

The ratings reflect that but nobody was better than Barry Ferguson. In Scotland’s goal though it may well be time for Neil Sullivan.

It’s a tremendous achievement for Scotland, they join France, Czech Republic, England, Uruguay, South Korea, Paraguay, Argentina, Sweden & Italy in the last 16. The other places will be secured over the next few days, you can keep an eye on Twitter for that. Then we’ll be back here with Scotland vs Portugal or Colombia. See you then!

Welcome back to What About Scotland? One stat has plagued Scotland for many years – they’ve never made it out of the group stage of a major tournament. If they’re going to manage that here in the 2002 World Cup, they need to beat Senegal. Can they do it? Let’s find out with this (not) live text.

We’re here in Seoul, South Korea for Scotland vs Senegal. Despite Scotland’s first group game being in Japan, they’ve made the trip to Korea for the second group game. Senegal played in this stadium during their 1-0 defeat to India, will that be a factor? From a Scottish point of view, you’d hope not. Let’s take a look at today’s lineups.

A trio of changes for Scotland – Matt Elliott for Lee Wilkie, Craig Burley for Colin Cameron and Russell Anderson for Jackie McNamara. Robbie Winters is injured and is replaced on the bench by the uncapped Jim Paterson.

Meanwhile Senegal opts for a good old fashioned 4-4-2.

Here’s a reminder of the predicament these two sides find themselves in after their opening round losses

With everything to play for, this is almost an eliminator. The teams are on their way out for the anthems, and then we’ll be getting this one underway.

KICK OFF – Scotland, back in traditional blue, kick us underway

4 mins – GOAL FOR SCOTLAND! Scotland 1 – 0 Senegal (Barry Ferguson)

What a start! Russell Anderson justifies his selection with a powerful run down the right, beating Sarr in a foot race before sending over the perfect cross for the arriving Barry Ferguson to head home. Goalkeeper Tony Sylva came for the ball but got nowhere near it making Ferguson’s task all the easier. The captain leads by example!

9 mins – Senegal are trying to regain their composure and they manage their first effort on goal, the hilariously named Fary striking a left footed volley straight at Rab Douglas.

14 mins – Senegal are a growing force in this game. Vie Diope goes on a mazy run, beating Matt Elliott worryingly easily before skipping Barry Ferguson. He then digs out a cross for that man Fary again but his header is into orbit. Worrying though for Scotland.

20 mins – That’s better from Scotland. McPhee and Kerr combine well outside the box giving Kerr a yard of space to whip a cross in. Steven Nicholas gets his head to the ball but it’s very wide. It’s one of those where you think it’s gone miles over at first but when you see it back, it just went really far wide. An awful header.

26 mins – Diope’s on the run again, but he gets taken out by Matt Elliott. No card but a dangerous free kick. Ismael Bah lines it up and that is just awful, wayward doesn’t cover it.

31 mins – This has been a much more ragged game than the Italy game, as you might expect. Neither of these teams are particularly good…plenty of endeavour but not much quality. At least Scotland lead.

35 mins – GOAL FOR SCOTLAND! Scotland 2 – 0 Senegal (Stephen McPhee)

He’s done it! After lighting up Scotland’s qualifying campaign, it’s now 7 goals in 7 caps for Stephen McPhee. He owes a debt of gratitude to Mark Kerr though, Kerr goes on a great run before dinking a ball over the Senegal defence for McPhee to run onto. The striker takes a touch, sets himself and smashes the ball into the roof of the net. No danger of offside, and breathing space for the Scots.

38 mins – Senegal will be kicking themselves, they’ve had a lot of the play since Scotland’s opener but they find themselves two goals behind now. They want a penalty here after Ferguson’s tackle sends El-Hadji Diouf sprawling to the ground, but the referee Zoltan Toporan is unmoved. Diouf takes it in natural good grace.

42 mins – Another Senegal chance, this time Sarr takes aim from the edge of the box with a quickly taken effort which Douglas claws away. Clever effort.

45 mins – GOAL FOR SCOTLAND! Scotland 3 – 0 Senegal (Craig Burley)

Wow where did this come from? The game is drifting towards half time before Craig Burley picks the ball up 25 yards from goal. Burley takes aim and the ball nestles in the bottom corner. Tony Sylva is livid about something, maybe that he couldn’t see? Or maybe that nobody got in the way of Burley’s effort. Such a soft goal. Scotland don’t care.

The board goes up for 2 minutes of added time. The Tartan army haven’t noticed.

HALF TIME – Scotland 3 – 0 Senegal

Well, that’s a decent half for Scotland.

The half time stats are fairly even – to be honest, it has never been a 3-0 game, but Scotland have been ruthless whilst Senegal haven’t.

Unsurprisingly the Scots have rated highly, whilst Senegal’s goalkeeper has a measly 4 after not saving a single shot.

Senegal, you’d think, will have to come out fighting. If they lose, they are as good as out. They would need snookers to stay in assuming Italy beat India later today, and they would definitely be eliminated if that match is a draw.

KICK OFF – Senegal get the second half underway.

47 mins – As predicted, Senegal have had the Senegalse equivalent to the hair dryer treatment. Diope whips a cross in that Fary heads wide under pressure from David Weir. It’s not been his day.

51 mins – Good grief how has this stayed out? Ismael Bah skins Naysmith down the Scotland left and crosses for that man Fary again. This time his header is on target and parried by Douglas. Diouf is on the scene read to tap in before Mark Kerr slides from nowhere and blocks it. The ball gets stuck under bodies before going out for a corner. Big let off.

54 mins – DISALLOWED GOAL

Senegal do have the ball in the net but the offside flag preserves Scotland’s clean sheet. The resulting corner after the goalmouth scramble  is headed away by Elliott but sent back in from Diope. Ismael Bah heads in and picks the ball out the net to get the game restarted, but is stopped in his tracks by the offside flag. It’s a correct decision too.

59 mins – Bah again, this time from considerably further out. Douglas saves it low down, well held.

63 mins – Finally some possession for Scotland, taking the sting out of the game and edging closer to the end of the game.

68 mins – SUBSTITUTION

Senegal make a change, with Salif Diao subbed for Aliou Cisse of PSG.

74 mins – SUBSTITUTION

That first sub has made no difference, let’s see if this makes any difference.  Omar Daf replaces Lamine Diatta. Diatta has had what is commonly known as a shocker.

77 mins – Scotland are very good at killing a  game. They’ve barely crossed half way in this half. They haven’t needed to, to be fair.

79 mins – SUBSTITUTION

TRIPLE CHANGE! David Black takes the opportunity to freshen up his team for the last 10 minutes. It’s Kerr, McCann and Naysmith off, replaced by Paul Rudden, Colin Cameron and Jim Paterson, who is getting his first cap.

80 mins – Now then, free kick for Scotland about 30 yards out. Barry Ferguson curls it over the wall and Silva makes a decent save, tipping it around the post for a corner. The corner is dealt with.

84 mins – The attendance is 64,647. Another canny turn out.

88 mins – The sponsors have seen enough, they’ve awarded Craig Burley man of the match. He’s barely misplaced a pass and his goal was well taken. It’s been a strange game.

89 mins – GOAL FOR SCOTLAND! Scotland 4 – 0 Senegal (Steven Nicholas)

Icing, meet cake. Cake, meet icing. Barry Ferguson feeds a ball down the line which Nicholas runs onto and fronts up the defender. A shimmy sends the defender for a hot dog and Nicholas curls the ball past Silva. Four!

90 mins – 3 minutes of stoppage time are indicated. It’s been a good day for Scotland, their fans here in Korea are having a wonderful time.

92 mins – GOAL FOR SENEGAL! Scotland 4 – 1 Senegal (Diope)

Late pressure from Senegal and it finally pays off. First Diouf volley miles wide, and then straight from the resulting goal kick Fadiga finds Diope in the box but Douglas tips his shot away. Not to be put off by being 4-0 down in injury time, Bah takes the corner short to Diope who skins Rudden and David Weir before smashing his shot into the net. It’s a great goal, worthy of winning a game. But it won’t.

FULL TIME – Scotland 4 – 1 Senegal

What a win for Scotland. Let’s see that in scoreboard form

But really, it was quite a tight game.

Senegal’s defence and goalkeeper will have a lot to answer for, especially the goalkeeper.

All of that though and Scotland still sit 3^rd, for reasons I don’t really understand. Presumably something to do with India having only played once? Who knows, but I suspect Italy will beat them and leave us with an India vs Scotland shoot out next week.

Scotland now head back to Tokyo for that match, which is again tremendous scheduling  but Scotland won’t mind if they can find the all important win. There is a scenario where a draw will be enough, but that will require Italy to beat India by a greater margin than the 2-0 they beat Scotland by last week. You’ll want to keep an eye on our twitter for news of how that game plays out, plus any news from the Scotland camp ahead of the India game. We’ll see you here for that!