Tottenham centre-back Toby Alderweireld heaped more misery on Scotland last night when he scored one of the goals for Belgium in a 4-0 thrashing at Hampden.
Man City’s Kevin De Bruyne set up three of the goals and scored one himself as the defeat left Scotland nine points off second-placed Russia with just four games to go.
By contrast, this was Belgium’s sixth win from six in the group and they’re top, three points ahead of Russia who are eight points above Kazakhstan in third.
Alderweireld was expected to leave Tottenham over the summer with a release clause active after Spurs triggered a one-year extension to his contract last season.
However, he remained in north London and has played the full 90 minutes in all four Premier League games for Tottenham this season.
Talk of his future will start again soon – he’s out of contract in the summer and can agree a pre-contract deal on a free transfer as early as January.
However, for now, Spurs fans – and fans from other clubs – were appreciating a rare goal from the 30-year-old.
Here are the best reactions on Twitter:
still can’t believe no one paid the 25m release clause for alderweireld what a player
— Adam Hodge (@adam_hodge) September 9, 2019
Alderweireld’s release clause was set at £25m and it was one of the biggest surprises of the summer that no club came in and triggered it.
He might be 30, but Alderweireld is still one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League and a rock at the back for Belgium, one of the best sides on the world stage.
According to WyScout, his 19/20 numbers show him boasting an 80% success rate on an average of 81 total actions per 90 minutes, with an 89% pass completion rate.
https://twitter.com/Lissa_VL/status/1171140991983783936
MY MAN!! TOBY ALDERWEIRELD ?????? pic.twitter.com/pqSS3KJJH7
— Trevor Bissouma (@Trevorlloyd92) September 9, 2019
Alderweireld has been brilliant for Belgium so far. Looks so comfortable with a good cb next to him ?? pic.twitter.com/E7foNwI5az
— Trevor Bissouma (@Trevorlloyd92) September 9, 2019
https://twitter.com/LastWordOnSpurs/status/1171144543712030720
Alderweireld doesn’t score many goals. As this fan pointed out, this was his first after a run of 101 games without a goal for club or country.
His last goal came in a 7-1 Tottenham win over Hull in May 2017 and, incredibly, it was against the same goalkeeper as last night, David Marshall.
Great game Toby! Looking forward to having you back home at @SpursOfficial! #COYS #THFC
— Yellow Card Queen (@LadyCP1851) September 10, 2019
https://twitter.com/GelasMichelle/status/1171141772325654529
#InternationalWatch | Alderweireld scores for Belgium! Good to get a goal on his name????
— The Spurs Web (@thespursweb) September 9, 2019
Take him off now, need him fit for Saturday ?
— Kris Morgan-Jones (@kmoggy73) September 9, 2019
A few Spurs fans were saying the same thing when he scored – get him off and keep him fit for Saturday. Tottenham play Crystal Palace in the Premier League and will be looking to get their season back on track after recording just one win in four games so far.
Palace have had a great start to the season and sit in fourth spot at the moment, five places above Tottenham.