Scott McTominay’s two goals helped Scotland create a surprise when defeating Spain 2-0 in the EURO 2024 qualifier on the morning of March 29
Final result Scotland vs Spain (2-0)
Score: McTominay 7, 51
McTominay scored four goals in just the last two games, helping Scotland win all and top Group A. They only kept the ball 25% of the time against Spain, but created more chances and the Man Utd midfielder took advantage of those opportunities. The visitors’ mistake to bring home three important points for Scotland. This is the first time Scotland has won against Spain in 39 years.
New Spain coach Luis de la Fuente only called four players from Barca and Real Madrid in this gathering, in which only midfielder Dani Ceballos started before Scotland. Mr. Fuente changed to eight positions compared to the win over Norway three days earlier, and only goalkeeper Kepa, midfielder Rodri and Mikel Merino still started.
Scotland are highly rated on the left wing, as they have Kieran Tierney and Andrew Robertson. Both of the hosts’ goals came from this direction, and Arsenal and Liverpool defenders both contributed.
Scotland surprised when they opened the scoring in the seventh minute, when away right-back Pedro Porro slipped and gave the ball to Robertson. The Scotland captain’s defender passed to fix the back of the away team’s defense for McTominay to shoot the ball and hit the Spaniard who changed direction into the net.
Porro blamed the pitch for being too slippery for him to stumble, but the Tottenham defender’s performance was also unimpressive and he was substituted at half-time. Dani Carvajal took the place of Porro, but let Tierney pass the ball in the second goal. Tierney’s cross was saved, but McTominay volleyed his left foot beautifully into the low corner to make it 2-0.
Both goals of the Man Utd midfielder have the look of a real striker. When he was young, he also often played as a striker. Even McTominay is sometimes promoted to play as a striker for Man Utd when there is a shortage of people.
The Spanish striker was not so fortunate to score, when Joselu missed a good opportunity in the 23rd minute when he headed unchallenged but the ball hit the crossbar. Outside of this situation, the away team did not create many remarkable chances. They only finished eight times in the game, less than the home team.
The Hampden Park bridge exploded after the final whistle of referee Sandro Scharer, as Scotland beat their first major opponent since three points against France in Euro 2008 qualifying. Scotland was filled with chances to qualify for Euro 2024 after winning two matches. the beginning of the qualifying round. The next two games will be important when they meet Norway and Georgia respectively. And Spain will have to be cautious in the coming matches to avoid the risk of being eliminated.
Scotland vs Spain match list
Scotland: Gunn, Hickey (Patterson 82), Porteous, Hanley, Tierney (Cooper 76), Robertson, McGinn (Ferguson 83), McTominay, McGregor, Christie (McLean 75), Dykes (Shankland 89).
Spain: Kepa, Porro (Carvajal 46), Garcia, Martinez, Gaya, Rodri, Merino (Aspas 57), Pino, Ceballos (Gavi 79), Oyarzabal (Williams 46), Joselu (Iglesias 66).