Good evening! Thank you very much for joining us here at Sports Mole for an intriguing match between Scotland and Belgium in Group A of the 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign. Let's get straight down to business, shall we?

We'll start, as ever, by looking at our hosts for tonight's game. Scotland's hopes of qualifying for the Brazil World Cup have long since passed, but manager Gordon Strachan will be keen to build on a promising start to life as manager of the national side.

The diminutive former midfielder took over as Scotland boss back in January and has since guided the team to two victories in five matches. The fact that they have lost the other three matches will not be seen as too big a negative considering how they have performed in those fixtures.

The last two matches, in particular, will give Scottish fans a lot of confidence going into this match. Their last outing ended in defeat against the 'auld enemy' England, but their performance will have pleased Strachan. They were England's equals for much of the match and can consider themselves a tad unlucky at having come away with a 3-2 defeat. Rewind to June, however, and you have one of the best results in Scotland's recent history. They shocked Croatia by pulling off a famous 1-0 away win, denting the Croats' hopes of automatic qualification in the process.

That win was made even more remarkable by the fact that it was Scotland's first of the qualifying campaign. It is safe to say that they are not exactly slugging it out with the big boys of world football at the top of the group - instead they seem to be embroiled in a battle with Macedonia to avoid bottom spot.

As things stand before the start of play today, Scotland were one point ahead of the Macedonians, although they have played a game more. Scotland have amassed just four points from their seven games so far, and they will need to pull off another shock result to add to that tally tonight.

Their qualification campaign kicked off with a 0-0 draw against Serbia before a 1-1 draw against Macedonia ensured a solid, if not spectacular, start to the campaign. However, back-to-back defeats against Wales (twice), Belgium and Serbia ended any faint hopes of challenging for a top-two spot and left them without a win in their first six games.

That win against Croatia has certainly brightened their outlook in the group a bit, but Scotland will be desperate to show that it was no fluke by backing it up with another win tonight. To do that, however, they will need to improve all over the pitch from the majority of performances in the current campaign. Scotland have the second worst attack in the group with four goals scored (Macedonia have netted just three times), while their nine goals conceded is second only to Wales for the worst defence.

However, they do have home advantage, and few places can match the atmosphere from a packed Hampden Park. It is a stadium steeped in tradition and history and, while it may not attract regular attendances of more than 100,000 people like it once did, it can still be an intimidating place to come. The famous 'Hampden Roar' tumbles down from all sides of the ground and many an opposition player has admitted to it sending chills down their spine. With Scotland likely to be up against it on the field today, the '12th man' could play a big role.

Their home record has been very good recently. They have lost just once in their last nine home games - to Wales in their last outing at Hampden Park. Going further back, and ignoring that Wales match briefly, they have not lost against a team who would be considered outside the world's elite at home since Switzerland won in 2006. Since then, only Italy (while world champions), Argentina, Netherlands and Spain (also while world champions) have won here.

Belgium may not yet be considered among those giants of world football, but they are certainly on their way. Marc Wilmot's side are enjoying a growing reputation around the world, and their strength is demonstrated by the sheer number of top Premier League stars that they can call upon. What would most other country's do to have the likes of Lukaku, Hazard and Benteke up front with Kompany, Vertonghen and Vermaelen at the other end?

Quite frankly, Belgium have an embarrassment of riches at the moment, and they are on the verge of a golden period in the national team's history. They already occupy 10th place in the FIFA World Rankings (for what they're worth), and they could shoot up the list if they continue on the same path.

It is looking increasingly likely that Belgium will be at Brazil 2014, and they will be many people's dark horses to do well. They may not yet be ready to win it, but even at this early stage I'd expect them to get to the latter stages. Still, that is a long way away at the moment, and Wilmots will be stressing to his side that they have not qualified for anything yet.

They currently lead Group A by three points after Scotland did them a massive favour by beating Croatia. They have picked up 19 points from their seven matches so far, winning six and only dropping points against Croatia so far.

Belgium opened their campaign with a 2-0 win over Wales before that draw with Croatia. Since then, they have been faultless, beating Serbia twice (3-0, 2-1), Scotland (2-0) and Macedonia twice (2-0, 1-0). A win tonight would put them potentially one game away from booking their place on the plane to Brazil as their next match comes against Croatia. That is sure to be a big one!

Croatia are in action away to Serbia tonight, which is not any easy game by any means. Should they lose and Belgium win, then Belgium would be all-but through due to their superior goal difference. Marc Wilmot's side have conceded just twice in the qualifying campaign so far - the best defensive record in the group - while their 13 goals scored is also the most in Group A.

If we take friendlies into account, Belgium are still in sparkling form. They have won five and drawn one of their last six games, the draw coming in their last outing against France (0-0). Their last defeat came in November last year when they were beaten by Romania, and you would have to go all the way back to October 2011 to find their last defeat in a competitive match - 3-1 vs. Germany.

Perhaps unsurprisingly with such attacking prowess at their fingertips, Belgium have not struggled to find the net either. They have scored in each of their last eight competitive away games and, before their most recent goalless draw with France, last failed to score in November 2011 - another 0-0 draw with France.

TEAM NEWS: Okay, I think it is about time for some team news. The big news from the Scottish camp is that Leigh Griffiths has earned himself a starting role ahead of Jordan Rhodes. Robert Snodgrass, who scored the winner against Croatia, also gets a start for the hosts. For Belgium, meanwhile, Hazard, Mirallas and Lukaku are all left on the bench, while Vertonghen, Chadli and Witsel have all recovered from slight injury concerns in time to start the match. Full team news for both sides coming up.

SCOTLAND STARTING XI: Marshall; Hutton, Hanley, Martin, Whittaker; Mulgrew, Brown; Snodgrass, Forrest, Maloney; Griffiths

BELGIUM STARTING XI: Courtois; Alderweireld, Van Buyten, Lombaerts, Vertonghen; Witsel, Chadli, Fellaini, De Bruyne, Defour; Benteke

What can we make of those teams then? Well, from Scotland's point of view it is interesting that they have chosen Griffiths ahead of Rhodes. The 23-year-old did impress at Hibernian last season and has continued his good scoring form for Wolves in the current campaign, netting four times in six matches, so I guess he has earned his place in the side. However, Rhodes is currently plying his trade at a higher level and has more international experience than Griffiths.

Scotland will be breathing a sigh of relief that Eden Hazard isn't starting today. He picked up a knock in training which is why he can only make the bench. However, there is plenty of quality elsewhere in the Belgian side.

The main threat to the Scottish defence will be the man-mountain that is Benteke. He has been in fine form already this season, picking up where he left off last season. He has pace, power and can get a goal out of absolutely nothing. Should Benteke not be firing on all cylinders, however, they have Lukaku in reserve. He is another player with all the attributes to become something special and I must say that I was surprised that Chelsea let him leave on loan on transfer deadline day.

Elsewhere, Premier League fans will be fully aware of the quality of the likes of Marouane Fellaini, Kevin de Bruyne and Nacer Chadli. The latter two are recent additions to the English top flight but they have settled down quickly at Chelsea and Tottenham respectively. Fellaini, meanwhile, will not have had time to settle down at his new club yet, having joined Manchester United at the last second of a tumultuous transfer deadline day that saw the midfielder hand in a late transfer request.

In defence, there are the notable absences of Vincent Kompany and Thomas Vermaelen, both of whom miss out through injury, so the visitors will not necessarily be as strong at the back as usual, which could give Scotland a glimmer of hope. Still, it is a very capable defence that Marc Wilmots has named, and in Courtois they have one of the brightest young goalkeepers in Europe.

PREDICTION: We're 10 minutes from kickoff at Hampden Park, which means that it is time for a prediction! Scotland's home record is very impressive in recent years and the Hampden Park crowd will not make it easy for the visitors tonight. Couple that with the fact that Gordon Strachan will want his side to prove that the Croatia win was no fluke and we have a very intriguing match on our hands. Overall, though, I think the superior quality of the Belgian side will shine through. They have plenty of weapons in the starting lineup and, if things aren't going their way, have an arsenal almost as strong on the bench to replace them with. I'm going to go for a 2-1 win to Belgium.

The last meeting between these two sides ended 2-0 to Belgium earlier in this qualifying campaign, with Benteke and Kompany on the scoresheet. However, they have not met at Hampden Park since a 2-2 draw in 2001 and Belgium have not won here since 1979.

In that 1979 match, a Scotland team including the likes of Kenny Dalglish found themselves 3-0 down within half an hour, thanks largely to a brace by Belgium's Francois van der Elst. They managed to pull a goal back, but it was not enough as Belgium ran out comfortable winners.

I have already mentioned that Belgium won 2-0 last time these two teams met, but it was a particularly significant occasion for former manager Craig Levein. The defeat proved to be the final straw for the Scottish FA as they sacked him after that match, eventually replacing him with Strachan.

There are 40 places separating these two sides in the current FIFA rankings, with Scotland occupying 50th to Belgium's 10th. Incidentally, Belgium's current ranking is the highest in their history.

Interestingly, only two Scotland players - Alan Hutton and Shaun Maloney - in the starting lineup for tonight's match featured in the meeting between these two sides. That is some indication of how bug an impact Strachan has had on the squad already.

KICKOFF: The hosts get us underway in this match as they look to spring a second consecutive competitive shock.

Chadli and De Bruyne link up early on and the latter sends a cross into the box that needs to be nodded behind for a corner. The ball flashes right across the six yard box, and David Marshall looks mighty relieved to see it go behind for a goal kick.

Belgium have settled into their rhythm pretty quickly here and they are dominating these early stages. Scotland have been forced to defend a number of high balls so far as the visitors look to bring Benteke into the game.

It is quite an inexperienced Scotland side on show this evening. Their most capped player on the field - and indeed in the squad - is Alan Hutton, who has 33 caps to his name. Kenny Miller, who was the most experienced player in the side for a long time, retired from international duty following the 3-2 defeat to England.

Witsel slides the ball into De Bruyne, who has got the wrong side of Whittaker. He sends a good, early low ball into a dangerous area but there is not another red shirt on hand to tap it in.

CHANCE! Belgium look really dangerous as the moment. Defour cuts inside his man and stands a cross up towards the far post that the likes of Fellaini are always going to be favourites to win. Sure enough, the new United man is there, but he can't squeeze his header on target from a tight angle.

YELLOW CARD! Robert Snodgrass rules himself out of the match against Macedonia on Tuesday with an early yellow card. He went up with Witsel to challenge for a header but led with his arm and was booked for doing so.

Scotland have a free kick in a good crossing position after a foul on Snodgrass. Maloney floats the ball in, but this Belgian team is one of the tallest around at the moment and deal with it comfortably.

YELLOW CARD! It is an obligatory yellow card for Fellaini, the only question before the match seems to be what minute it will come in! In truth, he can feel quite harshly done by with this one as he looked to have got a toe to the ball while challenging Maloney, but the referee thought otherwise and produced his card for the second time this evening.

Scotland have stemmed the tide a little now after a bright start from Belgium. Their attacking players aren't finding as much space down the wings, which is stopping Belgium's supply chain.

Indeed, the hosts are now stroking the ball around quite nicely. They took a little longer to settle than their opponents, but they are now looking quite comfortable.

Maloney plays a clever free kick to Snodgrass inside the box, but the Norwich man can't make the most of it as he loses out to Benteke. The Villa striker had to be careful there as he could have easily given away a penalty.

Chadli makes a bright run down the left flank, which is where Belgium have had most of their joy so far, but his eventually cross is put behind for a corner. De Bruyne's delivery is dreadful, but he gets a second attempt and eventually wins another corner.

It is a better delivery from De Bruyne this time and the ball comes loose in a dangerous position, but Brown is quickest to react to put it behind for what should be another corner, but is instead given as a goal kick.

Those last two deliveries were both fizzed into the box low by De Bruyne, and I'm not quite sure why. Belgium have the height advantage on Scotland, and they have plenty of players capable of causing Scotland problems in the air.

SAVE! De Bruyne picks up a loose ball in the middle of the park and drives at a Scotland defence that has been left thin by Hanley's charge upfield. The Chelsea man has Fellaini on his outside but chooses to go for goal himself, skimming a low effort straight at Marshall.

De Bruyne was caught in two minds there. He gets a lucky break as Hutton slips while trying to intercept a pass, but the Chelsea man was unsure whether to pass it into the area or go for goal himself. In the end, he passes it towards the back post, and it is easy for Marshall to save.

It is pouring down in Hampden Park at the moment, which will make things tougher for either keeper. Belgium's slick passing may also be affected by the conditions, but they are more than capable of playing long-ball tactics with the players at their disposal too.

Benteke has been kept relatively quiet in the opening half an hour by this Scotland defence. The Aston Villa man has held the ball up well but has had very little in terms of sights of goal, when he is at his most dangerous.

CLOSE! Whoosh! A brilliant effort from Scott Brown whizzes past the post, which really gets the fans shouting. A Defour clearance only fell as far as Mulgrew, who gave the ball square to Brown. The midfielder struck it sweetly, but it flew narrowly past the post. That is the closest either side have come.

SAVE! At the other end, Witsel fires an equally impressive effort towards goal. The ball dropped to the Zenit man around 25 yards from goal and his first-time volley was well hit but straight at Marshall.

Forrest bursts past three challenges but his change of pace seems to surprise even him as he falls over inside the box. No chance of a penalty, he just lost his balance.

Lovely finish from Defour! Alderweireld has been bombing down that right flank tirelessly in this first half, and his crosses have already caused plenty of problems. This time he sends a low one into the box and Defour is on hand to sweep it just inside the half corner with the inside of his foot. He made it look easy but, running in at pace, it was anything but. Very good, controlled finish from the Porto man.

That has got the Belgian fans shouting! Their side deserve the lead on the whole, but that was their first real chance of the match. Fellaini had a decent sight of goal earlier, but on the whole Scotland had coped well in defence until then.

Scotland have responded will to that goal, immediately setting about trying to find the equaliser. Forrest picks up the ball after a decent move from the hosts, but his shot curls harmlessly over the bar.

The irony is that Defour probably wouldn't have started this match had Hazard been fit. What at first looked to be a blessing for Scotland has now turned into a curse. It also goes to show the depth that this Belgian side have as that was a finish that Hazard himself would have been delighted with.

There will be just the one minute of added time at the end of this half.

The referee brings an end to a good half from Belgium's point of view. They go into the break with a 1-0 lead over the Scots courtesy of Steven Defour's classy finish, and they have enjoyed the better of the match so far on the whole.

They haven't had it all their own way, however. As expected, Scotland have not made things easy for the visitors, and the likes of Benteke haven't had much joy up front. Scotland have limited Belgium's chances and created a couple of half-chances themselves.

Belgium have experienced their best moments courtesy of the men behind Benteke. De Bruyne has looked very sharp and the Scotland defence struggled to deal with him early on. Chadli has also looked bright, while Defour is the man whose goal currently separates the sides. Toby Alderweireld also deserves a mention for his runs down the right flank, which have caused the host plenty of problems.

Apart from the goal, Scotland have defended the middle of the pitch very well on the whole today. It is the wide areas where they have been outplayed by Belgium. The full-backs have been given license to get forward due to Witsel's willingness to sit back, and the hosts are yet to find an answer to that.

Scotland haven't provided too much in an attacking sense so far, but they did come close to taking the lead when Scott Brown flashed a powerful effort just wide. Leigh Griffiths has been isolated up top for most of the match, and it may not be long before we see Jordan Rhodes either join him or replace him up front.

As things stand, Scotland will be ending the day rock bottom of their World Cup qualifying group. That is because Macedonia beat Wales 2-1 earlier today to leapfrog Strachan's side. Elsewhere in this group - and of particular interest to Belgium - Serbia are currently drawing 0-0 with Croatia. If everything stays the same then Belgium would be five points clear with two games to play.

As far as the other home nations are concerned, England are beating Moldova 3-0 and Northern Ireland are on the brink of a major shock as they lead Portugal - Cristiano Ronaldo and all - 2-1.

KICKOFF: Belgium get us back underway for the second half. Can they hold out to move one step closer to the World Cup next year, or will Scotland fight back?

UPDATE: Some bad news for Belgium coming up - Croatia have just taken the lead against Serbia. Things are still in the Belgians' hands, but a Croatia win would make a Belgian victory here even more important.

If that has upset any Belgium fans, let me cheer you up a little with an image of Defour celebrating the only goal in this match so far:

© Getty Images

Scott Brown is quite lucky to get away with that one. Benteke just nipped in ahead of the Scotland skipper inside the box, and his challenge certainly caught the Aston Villa striker's ankle. On first view I was in agreement with the ref that it was no penalty, but the replay has made me question it.

Chadli brushes off a challenge from Brown and cuts inside until he is around 25 yards from goal. De Bruyne and Benteke make the same run, which means that Chadli has no choice but to shoot really, and his effort is straight at the keeper.

Benteke turns Hanley well and manages to squeeze a shot in from the edge of the box. It takes a nick on its way through that takes what little power it had on it off, before trickling past the post for a corner.

SHOT! Belgium are very slow to close Whittaker down there, but the Scotland man can't take advantage. He never really looked comfortable running up to that ball, and his low effort does not trouble the keeper.

PENALTY SHOUT! The famous Hampden roar asks for a penalty from the ref, but he is unmoved. It was Chadli's tackle on Hutton, but the referee made the right decision in waving away the claims.

YELLOW CARD! Lombaerts can have no complaints with this one. Griffiths uses his body really well to spin away from a lunging tackle from the defender, who brings his man down and is promptly booked.

SCOTLAND SUB: The first change of the day is made by the hosts, who take off Robert Snodgrass to be replaced by Ikechi Anya, who is making his international debut. What a moment for the Watford man.

Whittaker makes a bright run into the box but is eventually crowded out and Belgium immediately break. De Bruyne is brought down on the edge of the box and his subsequent tumble into the area prompts calls for the penalty. The referee gives neither a free kick or a spot kick, though.

Witsel has had a quietly effective game so far today, but he tries to get his name in the headlines with a long-range strike that skims along the floor and a couple of yards past the post.

UPDATE: Good news for Belgium as Serbia have equalised against Croatia. As things stand, the Belgians will be five points clear with two games left, but they have to see this one out first.

De Bruyne floats a clever ball into the box that Fellaini looks very interested in. The United man just can't get to it, but it was a clever piece of play from De Bruyne to spot the run.

CLOSE! Anya has not been too involved since coming on, but that is very bright play from the sub. He turns his man sharply before racing down the left and pulling the ball back to Maloney, who lifted an effort just over the bar.

SCOTLAND SUB: It has been a lonely shift from Griffiths for much of tonight, but he will have no further part to play. He makes way for Jordan Rhodes, who will be looking to show Strachan that he should have been in from the start.

BELGIUM SUB: Belgium also make a change, and Manchester United new boy Marouane Fellaini is the man to make way. There is a smattering of boos as he trots off the field to be replaced by his now former Everton teammate Kevin Mirallas.

UPDATE: Northern Ireland's evening has gone from potentially brilliant to terrible. They are now down to nine men and trail Portugal 4-2. Serbia remain locked at 1-1 with Croatia in this group, but the hosts have been reduced to 10 men.

Benteke hasn't really threatened the Scotland goal much in this match. He has held up the ball well but hasn't had a chance to show his deadly finishing. Could it be Lukaku time soon?

OUCH! That looks like a painful one! Lombaerts goes up for a header with Rhodes, but lands very awkwardly on his ankle on the way down. He immediately collapses to the floor, and he may not be able to continue here.

BELGIUM SUB: Indeed, Lombaerts is helped off the field by the physios and on comes Pocognoli in his place. Belgium are getting pretty light in defence with all these injuries.

This match has quietened down in the last 10 minutes or so. Belgium, understandably, are unwilling to commit too many men forward with such a slender lead, while Scotland also know that it isn't all-out attack time just yet. Should the hosts go too early, there is every chance that Belgium could pick them off on the break.

Very good defending from Vertonghen. Brown plays a low ball towards the near post where he knows Rhodes will be attacking, but the Tottenham man slides in to get there first and put it behind for a corner.

This one is by no means over, so these Belgian players will need to ensure that they don't get complacent here. Scotland look capable of creating something in the closing stages and while it remains just 1-0 Scotland still stand a chance.

CLOSE! De Bruyne whips a free kick towards the back post and almost catches Marshall out. The Scotland keeper is expecting a cross, and it may very well have been an over-hit one, but he needed to tip it over.

SAVE! De Bruyne again test Marshall, but again the Scotland keeper is equal to it. Again the shot - and this time it is definitely a shot - is from range and forces Marshal to scramble across to tip it wide.

SCOTLAND SUB: Scotland's third and final change of the night sees James Morrison replaced by Ross McCormack, who will win his first cap for over a year.

BELGIUM SUB: The visitors make their final change shortly afterwards as Moussa Dembele replaces the man whose goal separates the two sides at the moment. Steven Defour gets a big cheer from the away fans as he trots off the park.

Game over. Benteke plays a lovely pass around the corner that completely takes Hanley out of the game. Mirallas takes the ball in his stride which puts him one-on-one with the keeper, and the Everton man makes no mistake as he strokes the ball past Marshall. Belgium edge ever closer to World Cup qualification!

There will be a minimum of three additional minutes at the end of this one. It could have been an exciting three minutes for Scotland but for that Mirallas goal.

The Belgian fans are now leading a dance around the stadium, and they are making a lot of noise while doing so. They are revelling in this golden generation, and there is a lot more where that came from! This team will be a force to be reckoned with over the coming years.

Right on cue, the referee brings an end to a match that sends Belgium within one game of qualification for the World Cup in Brazil next year. Steven Defour and Kevin Mirallas got the goals for the visitors, who maintain their unbeaten record in Group A and, courtesy of Serbia's draw with Croatia, move five points clear at the top with just two games left to play.

It was a fairly comfortable win for the Belgians in the end. They were in control for most of the match without troubling the Scotland defence on too many occasions. It stayed at 1-0 for quite a long time, which would have worried manager Marc Wilmots in the closing stages, but Mirallas' goal having been found by a quiet Benteke put the result beyond doubt with one minute of normal time to play.

As far as Scotland are concerned, they can have no shame in being beaten by this Belgium team. They held their own in the match and there were plenty of positives for Gordon Strachan to take into Tuesday's match against Macedonia, which could ultimately decide who finishes bottom of Group A. At the moment it is Scotland who occupy that position, but their fans will not feel too down after this one.

Right, that is all we have time for this evening! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for tonight's game as Belgium edge closer to the World Cup with a 2-0 win. I will leave you with our match report, and be sure to stick around for reaction from this match, and the other international fixtures that went on tonight. Scotland are back in action on Tuesday, and we will be covering that match live too. Until then, goodbye!