Scotland vs Spain. European Championship Qualifying Group A.
Hampden ParkAttendance47,976.
Match report as Scotland claim a shock win over Spain in Euro 2024 qualifying; Scott McTominay scored in each half to claim a famous Hampden Park victory; Steve Clarke's side top Group A after the opening two games
Wednesday 29 March 2023 09:38, UK
Scott McTominay scored a double as Scotland secured a famous victory over Spain to take control of their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign.
The Manchester United midfielder, who netted twice in Saturday's 3-0 victory over Cyprus, fired in the opener at Hampden Park after just seven minutes.
Stuart Armstrong, Ryan Christie and Lyndon Dykes all went close as Spain struggled to make their mark against Steve Clarke's much improved side.
McTominay volleyed home Kieran Tierney's deflected cross just after the break to secure Scotland's first victory over the Spaniards since 1984.
Steve Clarke's side top Group A with two wins from their opening two matches.
Scotland handed starts to three players who made an impact off the bench in Saturday's win against Cyprus for the visit of Spain.
McTominay was drafted in for Ryan Jack, Ryan Christie replaced Stuart Armstrong while Lyndon Dykes started in place of the injured Che Adams.
Spain made eight changes following their 3-0 victory over Norway, with former Stoke and Newcastle striker Joselu handed his first start following his debut double off the bench on Saturday.
Scotland started brightly and McTominay picked up where he left off as he fired in the opener from Andy Robertson's cutback after just seven minutes.
Hampden erupted.
Spain looked for an immediate response and Dani Ceballos threaded a pass through to Mikel Oyarzabal but he could not get the ball under control and it rolled out.
The hosts were then inches from a second in the 15th minute, John McGinn picked out Stuart Armstrong on the edge of the box but his shot went just wide of the post.
Goalkeeper Angus Gunn, on his Scotland second start, stood firm as Spain tried once again to level the game as he stopped Joselou's header before the Espanyol striker then cannoned another effort off the crossbar.
Porro fell to the ground after Robertson's shoulder bumped him with the Liverpool defender picking up the first booking of the match as boos and cries of 'cheat' rang around the National Stadium.
Rodri headed just over from the corner kick and Gunn pushed Porro's effort clear as Spain started to make a growing impact on the game.
Scotland responded and McTominay curled a pass towards Christie in the box but David Garcia lunged forward to clear the danger before Kepa was called into action to punch McGinn's ball over the bar.
As half time approached Dykes had a perfect opportunity to double Scotland's lead. He beat Garcia and lifted the ball over Kepa's head only for it to loop over the bar.
Scotland did find their second just after the restart as McTominay claimed another double.
Kieran Tierney burst down the flank and his ball dropped to the Manchester United midfielder who volleyed past Kepa.
The Tartan Army were in dreamland.
Spain again tried to respond but Ryan Porteous was resolute in defence as Pino tried to get a shot away in the 59th minute with Iago Aspas firing over soon after.
With Spain already ringing the changes Steve Clarke looked to his bench in the 75th minute with Kenny McLean and Liam Cooper coming on for Ryan Christie and Kieran Tierney, who picked up a knock.
Nathan Patterson and Lewis Ferguson then replaced Aaron Hickey and John McGinn as Scotland continued to look comfortable against the team ranked 10th in the world with Lawrence Shankland then replacing Lyndon Dykes.
As the clock ticked down, Flower of Scotland echoed around the National Stadium.
The perfect start to Euro 2024 qualifying and once again a nation dares to dream.
Former Scotland international David Marshall on Sky Sports News:
"It's a famous, famous win for Scotland.
"To go and beat a top nation like Spain is just incredible.
"It was no fluke. Scotland more than deserved the victory on the night and it could have been by more.
"It sums up Scotland's performance that Scott McTominay scored two goals, but you could easily give any of the other Scotland players player of the match.
"What a result and what a position it puts Scotland in for the rest of qualifying."
Clarke believes Scotland put their mark on their Euro 2024 qualifying group with a stunning 2-0 win over Spain at Hampden Park but cautioned against looking too far ahead.
The Scotland boss said: "You don't qualify with six points. There's a long way to go.
"We're really pleased with the performance - two good performances over the nine days we've been together.
"It was important to capitalise on the two home games as much as we could and we've managed to get maximum points.
"All the credit goes to the players. We had 16 players on the pitch and none of them let us down. The seven players in the stand were every bit as happy as everyone else was.
"We have a good group but we're working hard to get better and better and tonight was a chance to put our mark on the group.
"We wanted to be competitive against a top team and that's what we did. It certainly should give the players a bit more belief when we come up against these top seeds.
"That's the last two top seeds - Denmark (in World Cup qualifiers) and Spain - who have come to Hampden and left with no points. But it's very important we stay grounded because there's still a long way to go in the group."
Former Scotland international David Marshall on McTominay's performance:
"There were so many good performances from Scotland.
"But I'm happy for Scott. He works so hard and is an incredible athlete.
"He shown over the last two games that he's good for a goal as well. They were two incredible strikes with his left foot against Spain.
"He produced a brilliant performance and I'm sure people at Manchester United will be taking note ahead of the weekend."
It was a first defeat in his second game as Spain boss for Luis de la Fuente, but he was not too downhearted.
He said: "The game went how we thought it would. It was a difficult game. We had a plan and stuck to it.
"In the first half we had a couple of chances to score but in the end it came down to the small details.
"Overall I'm satisfied by what I saw on the pitch. I think there is hope for the future.
"It doesn't change our overall plan. There are six games left and we are going to go for it. There are no easy games in this group and we have to keep on working and improving.
"It's still too early to predict who is going to win the group. Scotland have a very powerful team, good individuals. There is a long way to go and anything can happen between now and the end. I am confident in my team."
Scotland's next Euro 2024 qualifiers are in June.
They are away to Norway on June 17 before a match against Georgia at Hampden Park on June 20.
