Euro 2024 Qualifiers: McTominay scores twice again, Scotland defeats Spain
GLASGOW, Scotland (AP) — With one other brace by Scott McTominay, Scotland earned its first win towards Spain in practically 4 many years.
McTominay continued his good scoring kind by netting twice for the second straight recreation to present the hosts a stunning 2-0 win over Spain on Tuesday in qualifying for the 2024 European Championship.
The Manchester United midfielder discovered the web as soon as in every half to assist Scotland defeat La Roja for the primary time since a 3-1 win in World Cup qualifying in 1984.
“The manager (Steve Clarke) said this is our chance to create legacies as Scotland players and these are the nights in 20, 30 years that people remember,” McTominay stated. “We did really, really well. We knew they’d have lots of the ball and the manager said to be clinical when we had the opportunities.”
The end result additionally prolonged Scotland’s unbeaten streak in European qualifying to seven video games and handed it the early lead in Group A with six factors from two matches, three greater than Spain.
Spain had not been overwhelmed in Euro qualifying in 20 matches since 2014, when it misplaced 2-1 at Slovakia forward of the 2016 event in France. La Roja had received 34 of its final 38 European qualifying matches, with three attracts.
“It was a tough night for us,” Spain midfielder Mikel Merino stated. “We couldn’t take advantage of our chances and they got the goals in transitions.”
It was an eighth win for Scotland in its final 10 residence matches, with a draw and a loss.
After opening qualifying with a 3-0 win over Norway, Spain dominated possession however wasn’t capable of threaten a lot at a loud Hampden Park. McTominay opened the scoring within the seventh minute with a shot from inside the realm after Spain proper again Pedro Porro slipped and misplaced possession simply exterior the field. The Man United participant then sealed the victory with a 51st-minute volley after Spanish defenders did not clear a cross in entrance of the web.
McTominay had not began in Scotland’s 3-0 win over Cyprus on Saturday however got here off the bench to attain two late targets.
Norway drew 1-1 at Georgia within the different Group A match.
It was a disappointing second recreation for Spain beneath coach Luis de La Fuente, who changed Luis Enrique after the World Cup in Qatar final yr. He made eight modifications to the squad that defeated Norway at residence. Spain had additionally struggled in that match, needing two late targets by substitute Joselu to safe the victory. Joselu was amongst these incomes a beginning spot on Tuesday, as was Osasuna defender David Garcia who made his debut for the nationwide workforce.
Joselu had the most effective probabilities for Spain, hitting the crossbar with a header within the first half.
“It was a very complicated and complex match due to the characteristics of our opponents,” stated De la Fuente, who was already receiving criticism again residence. “We generated chances but two small details cost us.”
Scotland visits Norway within the subsequent spherical in June. Spain’s subsequent qualifying match isn’t till September, when it visits Georgia. La Roja will play Italy within the semifinals of the Nations League in June.
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