Late strike denies Scotland

Daniel Van Buyten's header flies past Neil Sullivan

Scotland 2-2 Belgium

Ten-man Belgium staged a remarkable fightback to rescue a point at a stunned Hampden Park thanks to an injury-time strike by Daniel Van Buyten.

Scotland appeared to be on their way to leap-frogging the visitors and top Group Six after two first-half goals from Billy Dodds.

The second had come from a penalty after Eric Deflandre was shown the red card for handling the ball on the line.

But, on the occasion of Colin Hendry's 50th cap, it was Robert Waseige's depleted troops who proved to be the Bravehearts through second-half goals from Marc Wilmots and Van Buyten.

Deftly directed

Before kick-off, Belgium had gathered themselves into the kind of Celtic-style huddle that had helped Joos Valgaeren's club eclipse Rangers this season.

But, within two minutes, Ibrox striker Dodds had got the better of Valgaeren's defence.

Billy Dodds celebrates for the Scots

Hendry played a low ball to the feet of Don Hutchison on the edge of the box.

The Sunderland man deftly directed the ball into the path of Craig Burley and his low cross was prodded past Geert de Vlieger by Dodds at the front post.

By picking just one out-and-out striker, Emile Mpenza, Belgium seemed set up for a cautious approach.

If that was coach Robert Waseige's intention, his plan had to be quickly altered as Scotland took early control with some crisp possession football.

Look menacing

De Vlieger nearly gifted Scotland a second when he could only parry a Tom Boyd cross, but Barry Ferguson could not take advantage.

Belgium began to look menacing, although shots from Valgaeren, Wilmots and Emile Mpenza failed to bring goalkeeper Neil Sullivan into the action.

Eric Deflandre is sent off by the referee

A rare Scottish break won a 28th-minute corner that put Craig Brown's men back in the driving-seat.

Hendry's header was cleared off the line and referee Kim Milton Nielsen ruled that Eric Deflandre had used his arm to do so.

The Olympic Lyonnais defender was shown the red card and Dodds stepped up to crash the spot-kick high into the net.

Scotland twice came close to putting the game beyond Belgium shortly after the break.

Last-ditch tackle

A low Hutchison drive from the edge of the box skimmed the post.

Then a clever through-ball by Dominic Matteo put Ferguson through on goal. But the goalkeeper stood his ground to block the midfielder's attempt from 10 yards.

Colin Hendry cannot believe the result

Valgaeren's unhappy afternoon was completed on 57 minutes, when he was replaced by Standard Liege defender Van Buyten.

Vitesse Arnhem's Bob Peeters had also come on at half-time for Mark Hendrickx.

The man who scored a hat-trick as a substitute against San Marino made an impact before Valgaeren had even taken his seat.

Peeters rounded Hendry inside the box and Wilmots headed home the striker's cross from 12 yards.

A last-ditch tackle from Didier Dheedene prevented Burley from killing the game for Scotland.

But then Rangers target Sven Vermant crossed for fellow sub Van Buyten, who powered his header home from 15 yards.

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Scotland
Sullivan, Weir, Elliott, Hendry, Boyd, Burley, Ferguson, Lambert, Matteo, Hutchison, Dodds.
Subs: Douglas, Pressley, Holt, Johnston, Gallacher, Gemmill, Cameron.

Belgium
De Vlieger, Mbo Mpenza, Wilmots, Goor, Vanderhaege, Baseggio, Hendrikx, Dheedene, De Boeck, Valgaeren, Deflandre.
Subs: Gaspercic, Boffin, Vermant, Simons, Bob Peeters, Van Buyten, Goossens.

Referee: K Nielsen (Denmark).