Scotland’s Scott McTominay grabbed one other brace of targets as they shocked a much-changed Spain aspect to earn a deserved 2-0 victory of their Euro 2024 qualifier at Hampden Park on Tuesday and preserve their excellent begin to the marketing campaign.
The win was a primary for the Scots over their Iberian opponents since 1984 and ensured they high Group A on six factors from two video games, whereas second-placed Spain have three.
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It was a primary defeat for Spain in a Euro qualifier since a loss in Slovakia in 2014 they usually had gained 17 of their 19 fixtures since then.
McTominay additionally scored twice off the bench in a 3-0 win over Cyprus on Saturday and was the catalyst for what is going to go down as a well-known win and additional entrench supervisor Steve Clarke’s view that they’re a staff very a lot on the up.
“We did actually, very well,” McTominay informed Viaplay. “We knew they’d have a lot of the ball, and the supervisor stated be scientific after we had the alternatives.
“Everybody was at it, diving round, making the sport gradual. It is troublesome, however generally that is the best way it is acquired to be. Once you’re profitable you have to do stuff like that.
“The supervisor stated that is our likelihood to create legacies as Scotland gamers and these are the nights in 20, 30 years that individuals keep in mind.”
New Spain coach Luis de la Fuente made eight modifications from the aspect that beat Norway 3-0 in Malaga on the weekend and it confirmed as they battled to get any sustained momentum within the recreation as their hosts harried and pressed them into quite a few errors.
“It is a painful defeat,” De la Fuente informed Teledeporte.
“Analysing the sport, I feel early on we now have completed issues effectively sufficient to alter the end result. I will maintain these positives, however there’s nonetheless quite a bit to enhance. I am pleased with the angle of the boys.
“At this excessive degree, any mistake prices you. However you should not blame the gamers. It serves as an expertise that any small incident tilts the stability of the match.”
McTominay profited from a Pedro Porro slip to attain his first aim, as Andy Robertson picked up possession within the field and performed the ball into his path, after which acquired on the top of a wonderful run and cross from Kieran Tierney for quantity two.
De la Fuente handed a primary begin to 33-year-old striker Joselu and he hit the crossbar with a header halfway via the opening interval on a irritating evening for the guests when tempers at occasions threatened to boil over.
Scotland may need had a 3rd aim had Lyndon Dykes not scooped his shot over the bar with simply goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga to beat. Ryan Christie additionally fired huge when effectively positioned within the first half.
The house aspect’s urgent was wonderful, forcing Spain into errors because the guests appeared decided to cross their manner out of bother however solely sank deeper into it.
“It’s clear that they performed an excellent recreation. We have now no excuses,” Spain midfielder Rodri informed Teledeporte. “We had possibilities, however must be simpler.
“[There are] no doubts, none in any respect. We do not need to begin speaking about doubts.
“Clearly in soccer the rating counts, however there have been particular errors which have value us. Right here all of us lose, it is a collective effort.”
Scotland boss Clarke urged his gamers to not get carried away regardless of the historic end result.
“I am delighted with the efficiency,” Clarke informed Viaplay. “I assumed the gamers have been excellent from first minute to final.
“The dynamic, enthusiasm and high quality of the staff did not change. It is a massive evening, it appears like a step ahead, nevertheless it’s solely six factors and you do not qualify with six factors. One dangerous recreation can set you again, so we keep targeted and maintain our ft on the bottom.
“I will have a few quiet days to relax, after which we begin getting ready for 2 massive video games, as a result of June might be a pivotal month for us.”
Third-placed Norway drew 1-1 away to Georgia, who have been enjoying their opener, in Tuesday’s different Group A recreation, with each groups on one level forward of Cyprus who don’t have any factors.