ATHENS :Scotland are one home win away from securing a place in next year's World Cup despite suffering a 3-2 defeat by Greece on Saturday, with Denmark's 2-2 draw with Belarus in the other Group C game offering a lifeline and setting up a blockbuster clash with the Danes on Tuesday.

Denmark top the group with 11 points after five games. Scotland, who could not find an equaliser even though they clawed back from three goals down, are second with 10 points after suffering their first defeat of the campaign.

While a first-place finish clinches an automatic spot in next year's finals in the United States, Mexico and Canada, Saturday's result guaranteed Scotland at least a qualifying playoff spot.

Already-eliminated Greece looked poised to hand their visitors a thorough thrashing with goals

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