(Football news) Scott McTominay scored yet another brace as they stunned Spain to earn a 2-0 win in their Euro 2024 qualifier at Hampden Park as they maintained their perfect start to their qualifying campaign. The win was the first for the Scots over Spain since 1984 as they ensured that they are top of Group A on six points from two games, while Spain are in second with three points.
It was also the first defeat for Spain in a Euro qualifier since losing to Slovakia in 2014. Spain have gone on to win 17 of their 19 fixtures since then but McTominay had other ideas. The Manchester United midfielder also scored twice off the bench in a 3-0 win over Cyprus and was the main catalyst for what will go down as one of the most famous nights for Scotland and further emphasis on Steve Clarke’s view that they are a team very much on the up in International football.
Spain’s new head coach Luis de la Fuente made eight changes to the team which beat Norway 3-0 in Malaga. Spain tried to get any sustained momentum in the game as Scotland harried and pressed their opponents into numerous errors. McTominay finally profited that intense press as a Pedro Porro slip allowed Andy Robertson to pick up possession in the box and played the ball into Mctominay’s path who fired a shot with his left foot as it took a wicked deflection of Ingio Martinez. He subsequently got on the end of an excellent run and cross from Arsenal left back Kieran Tierney for his second goal of the night.
De la Fuente handed a first start to Joselu as he went the closest to score when he hit the crossbar with a header on what was very a frustrating night for the former 2010 World Cup winners. Scotland should have had a third goal as Lyndon Dykes scooped his shot over the bar while Ryan Christie also went extremely close to scoring another goal. In the other results, Norway drew 1-1 away to Georgia, who were playing their first Group A game on Tuesday as both teams are one point ahead of Cyprus who have no points.
“It is clear that they played a good game. We have no excuses,” Spain midfielder Rodri told Teledeporte. “We had chances, but have to be more effective. [There are] no doubts, none at all. We don’t want to start talking about doubts. Obviously in football the score counts, but there have been specific errors that have cost us. Here we all lose, it’s a collective effort.”
Scotland boss Clarke urged his players not to get carried away despite the historic result. “We did really, really well,” McTominay told Viaplay. “We knew they’d have lots of the ball, and the manager said be clinical when we had the opportunities. Everyone was at it, diving around, making the game slow. It’s difficult, but sometimes that’s the way it’s got to be. When you’re winning you’ve got to do stuff like that.
“The manager said this is our chance to create legacies as Scotland players and these are the nights in 20, 30 years that people remember. “It’s a painful defeat,” De la Fuente told Teledeporte. ” Analysing the game, I think early on we have done things well enough to change the result. I’ll keep those positives, but there’s still a lot to improve. I’m happy with the attitude of the boys. At this high level, any mistake costs you. But you shouldn’t blame the players. It serves as an experience that any small incident tilts the balance of the match.”
“I’m delighted with the performance,” Clarke told Viaplay. “I thought the players were outstanding from the first minute to last. “The dynamic, enthusiasm and quality of the team didn’t change. It’s a big night, it feels like a step forward, but it’s only six points and you don’t qualify with six points. One bad game can set you back, so we stay focused and keep our feet on the ground. I’ll have a couple of quiet days to calm down, and then we start preparing for two big games, because June could be a pivotal month for us.”
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