Summary

  • Berra & Griffiths score for Scots

  • Scotland fourth in Group F on goal difference

  • Slovenia and Scotland level on 14 points

  • Slovakia second on 15 points, England lead on 20

  • Second spot could bring play-off spot

  • FT - England 2-1 Slovakia; Slovenia 4-0 Lithuania

  1. KICK-OFFpublished at 46 mins

    Scotland 1-0 Malta

    Here we go again. Can Scotland grab a few more goals? Will England come back to win?

  2. James for Jamespublished at 20:47 British Summer Time 4 September 2017

    HT: Scotland 1-0 Malta

    There will be a change. James Morrison is on for James McArthur in the centre of midfield.

  3. Postpublished at 20:45 British Summer Time 4 September 2017

    HT: Scotland 1-0 Malta

    Willie Miller
    Former Scotland defender on BBC Sportsound

    Quote Message

    We have created opportunities but we've only taken one and I wouldn't want us to go into the last 10 minutes still only 1-0 ahead. The second goal is so important.

  4. Postpublished at 20:43 British Summer Time 4 September 2017

    HT: Scotland 1-0 Malta

    Will we see changes for the second half? Would a second striker help? Chris Martin can be a handful.

    Could Ryan Fraser bring some trickery to the party?

  5. 'Another gear to come'published at 20:42 British Summer Time 4 September 2017

    HT: Scotland 1-0 Malta

    Steven Thompson
    Former Scotland striker on BBC Sportsound

    Quote Message

    Malta don't have the quality in the final third to cause us problems but we need to watch we don't give away free-kicks or corners. I think there is another gear to come from Scotland. I'd like to see a few changes.

  6. No goalrush at Hampdenpublished at 20:40 British Summer Time 4 September 2017

    HT: Scotland 1-0 Malta

    Alasdair Lamont
    BBC Sport Scotland at Hampden

    The early goal had the crowd anticipating a barrage of further Scotland goals to follow, but that hasn't materialised. It's a strange scenario, with the place only half-full and an eerie silence around Hampden at times. Malta's part-time players may begin to tire as the second half progresses and Scotland will aim to capitalise on that to put a rosier complexion on the scoreboard.

  7. Postpublished at 20:37 British Summer Time 4 September 2017

    HT: Scotland 1-0 Malta

    Goal difference is a factor in the race for second place - or at least it could be if Scotland were to bang in a few more here. Someone needs to get that message to the home dressing room.

    Malta did suffer a late collapse against England on Friday, shipping three goals in the final five plus stoppage-time.

  8. Postpublished at 20:36 British Summer Time 4 September 2017

    Group F table as it stands
  9. HALF-TIME Scotland 1-0 Maltapublished at 45 mins

    An early header from Christophe Berra gave Scotland the perfect start but the hosts have been unable to add to their lead at a rather subdued Hampden.

    England are level at 1-1 with Slovakia and Slovenia lead Lithuania 1-0.

  10. Postpublished at 43 mins

    Scotland 1-0 Malta

    Matt Phillips cuts inside from the left and has a shot with his right. It's pretty far out but it's dipping and keeper Andrew Hogg is at full-stretch before gathering at the second attempt.

  11. Postpublished at 20:26 British Summer Time 4 September 2017

    Scotland 1-0 Malta

    Tom English
    Chief sports writer, BBC Scotland at Hampden

    Scotland fans find their voice within seconds of that England equaliser. It's been pretty tame stuff since Berra's goal. Scotland controlling it but not creating really good chances to add a second. Malta have adopted their 'sticky opponent' guise. They're defending better now, but that's really all they are doing.

  12. Postpublished at 38 mins

    Scotland 1-0 Malta

    Matt Phillips is on to a long ball over the top and has a great chance to double Scotland's lead before the referee blows for a very soft foul. Shoulder to shoulder all the way, with very little oomph. A really poor decision.

  13. goal

    GOAL England 1-1 Slovakiapublished at 20:22 British Summer Time 4 September 2017

    Eric Dier

    A cheer at Hampden for an England goal... Eric Dier does the business, with neat flick.

  14. Postpublished at 35 mins

    Scotland 1-0 Malta

    Malta continue to sit deep, challenging Scotland to find a way through. The zip and aggression from Friday's win in Lithuania is not quite there for Gordon Strachan's men.

  15. Postpublished at 32 mins

    Scotland 1-0 Malta

    Kieran Tierney is a leftie at right-back and he cuts inside to his stronger foot to have a pop at goal. No trouble for goalkeeper Andrew Hogg.

  16. Something lacking at Hampdenpublished at 20:17 British Summer Time 4 September 2017

    Scotland 1-0 Malta

    Alasdair Lamont
    BBC Sport Scotland at Hampden

    The atmosphere is ever-so-slightly flat inside Hampden at the moment, but with each Scotland attack, the crowd get back involved. A second goal could do the world of good, but maybe a couple of changes to the starting line-up, just to ensure the tempo was as high as possible, might have been worthwhile.

  17. Postpublished at 30 mins

    Scotland 1-0 Malta

    Leigh Griffiths is over a long-range free kick. Can he do what he did twice to England? No, it sails high over the target.

  18. Postpublished at 28 mins

    Scotland 1-0 Malta

    Matt Phillips does well to drive a low ball across goal from the left but there is no one in blue shirt to profit, with centre forward Leigh Griffiths still deep after starting the move.

  19. goal

    GOAL Slovenia 1-0 Lithuaniapublished at 25 mins

    Josep Ilicic

    Slovenia convert a penalty, which keeps them level on points with Scotland for now.

  20. Postpublished at 20:10 British Summer Time 4 September 2017

    Scotland 1-0 Malta

    Willie Miller
    Former Scotland defender on BBC Sportsound

    Quote Message

    Malta have done quite well in the last five or 10 minutes. They put us under a bit of pressure. There's no doubt, they're well organised.