MY ACCOUNT
Scott McTominay scored twice to fire Scotland to a memorable 2-0 victory over Spain at a jubilant Hampden Park, maintaining the hosts’ perfect start to Euro 2024 qualifying.
The Manchester United midfielder – who also grabbed a brace in Saturday’s 3-0 win over Cyprus – got Scotland off to a flying start as his early strike deflected in off visiting defender Inigo Martinez.
While Spain enjoyed plenty of possession, Luis de la Fuente’s visitors were unable to respond after McTominay doubled Scotland’s lead, lashing home following excellent work from Kieran Tierney.
The result moves Scotland three points clear of Spain at the top of Group A, while De la Fuente has plenty of work to do following his first defeat since replacing Luis Enrique after the World Cup.
Scotland sent the home crowd into raptures seven minutes in as Andy Robertson capitalised on Pedro Porro’s slip to find McTominay, who saw his left-footed effort deflect past Kepa Arrizabalaga.
The hosts almost scored a second as Ryan Christie prodded wide from the edge of the area, though they soon had the woodwork to thank as Joselu’s header rattled the crossbar at the other end.
Rodri nodded narrowly over as Spain dominated possession, but Lyndon Dykes missed a great chance to double Scotland’s lead when he chipped over on the stroke of half-time.
The hosts did not need long to score a second after the interval, however, McTominay firing into the bottom-left corner after David Garcia failed to cut out Tierney’s left-wing cross 51 minutes in.
Substitute Iago Aspas lifted over from Nico Williams’ driven cross as the agitated visitors threw men forwards, with Scotland holding firm to record a statement result in the battle to reach next year’s tournament in Germany.
What does it mean? Scotland stay perfect as Spanish run ends
Although Scotland missed out on last year’s World Cup, they approached this qualification cycle in good spirits after winning promotion to the top tier of the Nations League last year.
Clarke – who penned a new contract last week – will now be supremely confident of leading Scotland to successive European Championships, with the Tartan Army winning their first two games of a World Cup/Euros qualifying campaign for the first time since September 2006.
Spain, meanwhile, have a fight on their hands after suffering their first European Championship qualifying defeat since October 2014 (v Slovakia).
Great Scott doubles up
McTominay’s international career had not exactly been defined by his goalscoring feats – until the last three days.
Having scored just once in his first 37 caps, McTominay has hit the net four times in his last two international games, while he is the first Scotland player to net a brace against Spain since Mo Johnston did so in a World Cup qualifier in 1984.
Home comforts key for Scotland
Excluding play-offs, Scotland are now unbeaten in eight qualification matches, though it is at Hampden Park where Clarke’s men have recorded their standout results.
Scotland have won six successive home qualifiers, going unbeaten through nine such games on their own turf (W8 D1).
What’s next?
Scotland visit Norway in their next Euro 2024 qualifier on June 17. Spain, meanwhile, are in Nations League action in the next international break, facing Italy in the semi-finals on June 15.
