Scotland sent out a statement before their first men’s World Cup in 28 years with a scarcely-believable final friendly victory against Bolivia at a sweltering Sports Illustrated Stadium in New Jersey.
Four first-half goals had supporters gawping in disbelief – and perhaps even checking the date of the final – as Steve Clarke’s side ran riot a week before their Group C opener against Haiti on Sunday, 14 June (02:00 BST) – live on the BBC.
Following his two goals in the 4-1 Hampden send-off win against Curacao, Lawrence Shankland strengthened his case to start, heading in early on from captain Andy Robertson’s deep cross.
The new Rangers striker wasn’t the only forward to make his mark, with starting striking partner Che Adams twice finding the net. First, he tapped in a brilliant Ben Gannon-Doak ball before thundering in a low drive in a dream opening 45 minutes.
The returning Scott McTominay doubled the scoring, the classy midfielder leaving Bolivian goalkeeper Guillermo Viscarra flapping, before Adams got in on the act.
Though they did not add to the outstanding first-half tally, Scotland remained hungry, with Shankland’s miss at a clear sight of goal the closest of a bunch of near things.
Last Saturday’s win was met with tempered enthusiasm because of the Scots’ struggles before Curacao were reduced to 10 players, but there was no playing down this comfortable and commanding performance.
That’s probably what will please Clarke the most as he reflects on the game during his journey down to Scotland’s base camp in Charlotte, North Carolina on Sunday and in the build-up to their first World Cup finals appearance since 1998.
Scotland analysis: Clarke gets everything he wants
Where to start? A wee giggle of disbelief, perhaps?
This was the stuff of dreams for supporters, players and, crucially, Clarke. In his media conference on Friday, he lay out his priorities as “no injuries, performance and result”. Check. Check. And check.
When Shankland headed in early on, you could sense that familiar Scottish fear of ‘we’ve peaked too soon’. By the time Adams had scored his second, you could sense that brazen Scottish optimism of ‘we’re winning the World Cup’.
The reality was somewhere in between. But it cannot be underestimated how easy on the eye the Scots were against the world’s 77th best team in New Jersey.
Gannon-Doak was in dazzling form down the right, while Ryan Christie was equally creative on the opposite flank. It was just so much fun to watch.
In this 4-4-2 shape, goalscorer McTominay looked even better than usual, while both starting strikers getting on the scoresheet ought to please everyone.
While the second half lacked the same excitement, it did not disappoint in energy and enthusiasm as Clarke changed all 10 outfield players.
It largely goes unnoticed in a result like this, but the Scots’ stability at the back was formidable as a blunt Bolivia struggled. They had one touch in Angus Gunn’s box.
Two years ago, Scotland went into Euro 2024 squandering a two-goal lead at home to Finland. Things felt a bit flat.
That is not the case this time, though, with back-to-back four-goal wins getting the fans believing.
