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Match Analysis: Scotland 1-2 Wales

Match Analysis: Scotland 1-2 Wales
© Danny Lawson / PA Photos
Sports Mole looks over a frantic game at Hampden Park as Wales completed the double over Scotland in World Cup qualifying.

Two red cards, a second-half comeback and much more - tonight's British derby between Scotland and Wales had it all.

The Welsh completed an unlikely double over the Scots tonight in Glasgow by mimicking their October victory in Cardiff, where they also came from one goal down to win.

Aaron Ramsey and Hal Robson-Kanu were the goalscorers after Grant Hanley had given the hosts the lead just before the break.

Ramsey was sent off in the dying moments to make it 10 men apiece, with Robert Snodgrass seeing red for a second yellow card earlier on.

Here, Sports Mole tries to get its head around a topsy-turvy World Cup qualifier at Hampden Park.

Match statistics:

Scotland:
Shots 8
On target 3
Possession 42%
Corners 4
Fouls 15

Wales:
Shots 10
On target 10
Possession 58%
Corners 5
Fouls 15

Was the result fair?

Over the whole 90 minutes, yes. Wales started superbly and should have been at least a goal ahead before the half-hour mark. However, Scotland came back into it and grabbed a goal just before the half-time whistle thanks to Hanley's clever movement in the area. The hosts continued to dominate as the second half began but they shot themselves in the foot when Snodgrass conceded a penalty and got himself sent off in the process. From then on it was all-Wales and it took them just 93 seconds to net a winner that takes them third in Group A.

Scotland's performance

Awfully sluggish out of the blocks, the Scots weren't helped when striker Steven Fletcher had to go off injured before the first five minutes was out. They were sloppy in possession for the opening half hour and how the likes of Gareth Bale and Craig Bellamy didn't carve out a chance would have angered visiting manager Chris Coleman. However, they rode the storm and finally started to string together some passes and create chances before Hanley headed in Snodgrass's corner. They continued to press for a second after the break and came ever so close to one when Snodgrass curled over Boaz Myhill but against the inside of the post. Some will argue that Snodgrass's challenge on Chris Gunter shouldn't have warranted a free kick as the ball had gone but it was reckless and deserved a yellow. From then on, it was tough going for Gordon Strachan's men but they surrendered far too easily.

Wales's performance

Led by talisman Bale, the visitors were stringing together passes for fun in the opening half an hour while Scotland's defence did their best to present them with a chance to open the scoring. They couldn't do so and were cruelly punished just before the interval. Bale's withdrawal at the break seemed to knock any life out of them in the opening exchanges of the second 45 but they were gifted a chance to get back in it when Snodgrass scythed down Gunter and Ramsey lashed home the spot kick. Robson-Kanu headed home above a statuesque Scotland defence soon after and the game was won. Coleman will be angered by Ramsey's actions late on but a win's a win and they've been very rare of late for the Welsh.

Sports Mole's man of the match

Jonathan Williams: Five months ago in Cardiff Wales had to rely on Bale to win them the match but they couldn't do the same again tonight as the Tottenham winger came off with a slight knock at half time. On came Crystal Palace's Williams and he filled Bale's boots with an energetic performance that ignited the Welsh comeback.

Biggest gaffe

Has to go to Ramsey for his carelessness in possession in the final few seconds that allowed James McArthur to steal the ball and bear down on goal. Ramsey had no choice but to rugby tackle the Wigan man to the floor and earn what will surely be the most needless red card of his career.

Referee performance

Frenchman Antony Gautier had tough conditions and two teams very much up for it to deal with but overall he did a good job. Both red cards he dished out were the right calls.

What next?

Scotland: Next up for the Scots is a trip to Serbia on Tuesday for a game that could be crucial to decide third spot in the group.

Wales: The Welsh, meanwhile, welcome Croatia to Swansea's Liberty Stadium on Tuesday.

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Wales' Craig Bellamy battles for the ball with Scotland's Grant Hanley during the World Cup qualifiying match on March 22, 2013
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Group A

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Q Netherlands Netherlands32107
Q Senegal flag Senegal32016
3 Ecuador flag Ecuador31114
4 Qatar Qatar30030

Group B

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Q England flag England32107
Q United States USA31205
3 Iran Iran31023
4 Wales flag Wales30121

Group C

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Q Argentina Argentina32016
Q Poland Poland31114
3 Mexico Mexico31114
4 Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia31023

Group D

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Q France France32016
Q Australia Australia32016
3 Tunisia Tunisia31114
4 Denmark Denmark30121

Group E

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Q Japan Japan32016
Q Spain Spain31114
3 Germany Germany31114
4 Costa Rica flag Costa Rica31023

Group F

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Q Morocco Morocco32107
Q Croatia Croatia31205
3 Belgium Belgium31114
4 Canada Canada30030

Group G

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Q Brazil Brazil32016
Q Switzerland Switzerland32016
3 Cameroon flag Cameroon31114
4 Serbia Serbia30121

Group H

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Q Portugal Portugal32016
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3 Uruguay flag Uruguay31114
4 Ghana flag Ghana31023


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