Scotland were outclassed by an excellent Belgium side who ran out 4-0 winners in their Euro 2020 qualifier at Hampden.
Roberto Martinez’s side, who are the top-ranked side in the world, continued their 100% record in Group I with a thoroughly convincing victory, delivered by goals from Romelu Lukaku, Thomas Vermaelen, Toby Alderweireld and the outstanding Kevin De Bruyne.
Scotland’s failure to claim a point from the double header virtually kills their hopes of automatically qualifying for next summer’s finals, with Steve Clarke’s men dropping to fifth in the group.
The result continues Scotland’s miserable streak against the Belgians, who have netted 17 goals without reply in the last six meetings between the sides – with Billy Dodds netting the Scots’ goals in the fixture in a 2-2 draw in March 2001.
Clarke rang the changes from the side which relinquished a winning position in Friday’s 2-1 loss to Russia, making no fewer than four switches.
Former Aberdeen midfielders Kenny McLean and Ryan Christie were drafted in, along with Robert Snodgrass and Matt Phillips, with James Forrest, Ryan Fraser, John McGinn and Oli McBurnie dropping out.
The Scots were carved open by an incisive counter attack on nine minutes with Dries Mertens’s exquisite pass releasing De Bruyne, who in turn picked out Lukaku to slot coolly past David Marshall from 12 yards.
It was from another De Bruyne delivery that Scotland fell two goals behind on 24 minutes, with a short corner worked to the Manchester City midfielder, who picked out Vermaelen totally unmarked to steer past Scots keeper Marshall from close range.
Belgium inflicted more damage on Scotland on 33 minutes with a third goal, with De Bruyne claiming another assist with a corner which was nodded goalwards by Aldweireld, hitting the underside of the bar before crossing the line.
In the second half De Bruyne was not to be denied the goal his classy display merited on 82 minutes, curling a delightful strike past Marshall following Lukaku’s lay-off.
