England's Harry Kane earned the visitors to Hampden a point in stoppage time after a stunning late Leigh Griffiths double looked like giving Scotland a memorable win in the World Cup qualifier. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain had given England the lead in the 70th minute after some poor Scotland defending, but Griffiths picked the perfect moment to break his international duck in his 13th appearance for the national side. He curled 25-yard free kicks into either corner of Joe Hart's net within three minutes, the second in the final minute of the 90. However, Kane volleyed home from close range three minutes into time added on to seal a 2-2 draw and maintain England's eight-year unbeaten run in qualifying games as they stayed on course for a place in Russia. Goal number two from Griffiths (c) Jane Barlow/PA Wire/PA Images Home captain Scott Brown had set the tone for an unforgettable World Cup qualifier inside three minutes as he introduced himself to Dele Alli with a late challenge which earned a yellow card, and Scotland continued their aggressive start by forcing four early corners. With a significant height disadvantage, they could not threaten directly from any and Joe Hart was fully behind Griffiths' dipping strike after one delivery ultimately broke to the forward outside the area. Scotland were playing with a three-man central defence -- all left-footed, including Celtic full-back Kieran Tierney -- but wing-backs Ikechi Anya and Andrew Robertson were pegged back for much of the first half as Griffiths grew increasingly isolated. Kane got two sights of goal when the visitors managed to penetrate. However, he blazed over after only partially bringing down Alli's lofted pass and then failed to make the most of Adam Lallana's cutback. England looked more dangerous on the rare occasions they got their opponents turning and Kane had another half chance, with Craig Gordon stranded after coming out of box to head away a long ball. Tierney headed his long-range chip off the line but Robertson's slip allowed Marcus Rashford a good chance. The Scotland goalkeeper recovered though to turn the shot wide with his foot. Gordon made two more saves before half-time, pushing efforts from Lallana and surprise starter Jake Livermore off target. |
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