Scotland claimed their first win in opposition to Spain in 39 years with a well-known 2-0 victory at Hampden Park on Tuesday evening.
A brace from Scott McTominay helped Steve Clarke’s males go high of their Euro 2024 qualifying group, securing two wins from their opening two video games.
Spain didn’t look cohesive in Luis de la Fuente’s second recreation in cost and have actual work to do in the event that they’re to succeed in the finals in Germany subsequent summer season, not to mention compete for the championship.
With seven minutes on the clock, Scotland took a shock lead with the sport’s first probability. Pedro Porro slipped whereas in possession and gave away the ball to Andy Robetson, who pulled it again for McTominay to fireplace house.
He’s at it once more 🙌
Scott McTominay together with his third aim in two video games to open the scoring in opposition to Spain. #SCOESP pic.twitter.com/QXZmvgYXGR
— Scotland Nationwide Workforce (@ScotlandNT) March 28, 2023
The hosts went near including a second quickly after. John McGinn managed to swivel and set Ryan Christie racing away by midfield, poking a shot simply vast of the close to submit.
Spain almost equalised when a Jose Gaya cross was headed goalwards by Joselu, however it was straight down the throat of Angus Gunn and Scotland survived.
Joselu once more rose highest to succeed in a teasing cross and this time he was solely denied by the crossbar, whereas Rodri headed simply excessive from a nook as Spain’s aerial bombardment continued.
Gunn was pressured right into a save when Porro let fly from 25 yards, pushing his swerving effort excessive, and Yeremy Pino’s half-volley sailed excessive into the stands from the ensuing nook.
La Roja have been livid that they weren’t awarded a penalty when Joselu went down underneath a problem from Grant Hanley – a choice which was reaffirmed following a VAR verify.
With the ultimate alternative of the primary half Lyndon Dykes ought to have doubled the Scots’ lead. Andy Robertson hoofed the ball upfield for the QPR striker to chase on the counter, however having raced away from the Spanish defence was unable to maintain his eventual strike down.
He can’t cease scoring ⚽️⚽️
Scott McTominay doubles our lead in opposition to Spain 🙌#SCOESP pic.twitter.com/0qIZveYtMv
— Scotland Nationwide Workforce (@ScotlandNT) March 28, 2023
Simply after the break, Scotland added a second. Kieran Tierney skipped away from Dani Carvajal and Spain have been unable to cope with his cross, permitting McTominay to lash within the free ball.
A free-kick from McGinn smashed in opposition to the crossbar as Scotland appeared to place the sport out of sight.
Substitutes Nico Williams and Iago Aspas mixed with Spain trying to mount a comeback – the Athletic Membership winger pulled the ball again for the Celta Vigo ahead, directing it narrowly excessive.
Spain did not carve out an opportunity within the recreation’s closing levels as Scotland held on to take three big factors.
GK: Angus Gunn – 7/10 – Made some key saves at essential occasions for Scotland.
CB: Ryan Porteous – 7/10 – Shut down Spain’s left aspect regardless of who was there.
CB: Grant Hanley – 7/10 – After Joselu made an early impression, Hanley did nicely to ease him out of the sport.
CB: Kieran Tierney – 8/10 – Excellent in that centre-back/full-back hybrid position. Will not get the help for the second aim however he undoubtedly ought to obtain credit score for his accountability within the transfer.
RM: Aaron Hickey – 7/10 – Labored nicely with Porteous in clamping Spain’s left flank down.
CM: Scott McTominay – 9/10 – The person of the second. Thundered his means into the opposition field and made them pay.
CM: Callum McGregor – 7/10 – Held his personal in what may have been a difficult midfield battle.
CM: John McGinn – 8/10 – Like McTominay was ready to make use of his physicality to fluster and overwhelm Spain.
LM: Andy Robertson – 8/10 – A pacesetter in each sense of the phrase. Gained the battle of the darkish arts with Porro.
AM: Ryan Christie – 6/10 – Extra of a contributor off the ball together with his urgent and motion than on it.
CF: Lyndon Dykes – 5/10 – A sloppy passer and missed an amazing probability on the finish of the primary half.
Substitutes
Kenny McLean (75′ for Christie) – N/A
Liam Cooper (75′ for Tierney) – N/A
Nathan Patterson (82′ for Hickey) – N/A
Lewis Ferguson (83′ for McGinn) – N/A
Lawrence Shankland (90′ for Dykes) – N/A
Supervisor
Steve Clarke – 9/10 – Such a consequence required some monster performances and Clarke received simply that out of his males. One other excellent show from Scotland.
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GK: Kepa Arrizabalaga – 4/10 – Did not precisely radiate confidence and his kicking was a little bit wayward.
RB: Pedro Porro – 4/10 – At fault for the opener. Tried his finest to get a foothold within the recreation after however was withdrawn on the break.
CB: David Garcia – 5/10 – Made a number of key interceptions however to little avail.
CB: Inigo Martinez – 5/10 – Equally positive for probably the most half however this wasn’t sufficient to save lots of Spain.
LB: Jose Gaya – 5/10 – Offered little or no down the left wing. The left-back spot must be Alejandro Balde’s to lose.
CM: Mikel Merino – 4/10 – Technically gifted in fact, however sunk within the midfield battle in opposition to Scotland’s powerhouses.
CM: Rodri – 5/10 – As calm as regular however was unable to raise these round him.
RM: Yeremy Pino – 4/10 – Performed on the fringes of the sport whether or not coming in from the appropriate or the left.
AM: Dani Ceballos – 4/10 – Began brightly together with his regular enthusiasm however this was rapidly nullified by Scotland’s personal dogged urgent.
LM: Mikel Oyarzabal – 4/10 – Discovered it exhausting to interrupt Scotland down and was hooked on the interval.
CF: Joselu – 5/10 – A menace within the first half however did not get his personal means when the going received robust.
Substitutes
Dani Carvajal (46′ for Porro) – 4/10 – Roasted by Tierney for Scotland’s second, so probably not an improve on the haphazard Porro.
Nico Williams (46′ for Oyarzabal) – 6/10 – Spain’s most harmful participant by far after approaching, showcasing his tempo and electrical energy in possession. Wanted extra assist to interrupt down a cussed defence.
Iago Aspas (57′ for Merino) – 5/10
Borja Iglesias (67′ for Joselu) – 5/10
Gavi (79′ for Ceballos) – N/A
Supervisor
Luis de la Fuente – 2/10 – Spain have been primarily put in a spin dryer by a pumped up Scotland aspect. The brand new supervisor’s group choice reeked of vanity after making 9 modifications.
Participant of the match – Scott McTominay (Scotland)