Scotland’s Scott McTominay celebrates after the match. Photo: Action Images through Reuters
Scott McTominay scored twice as Scotland claimed a well-known 2-0 victory over Spain at Hampden Park in Euro 2024 qualifying on Tuesday, whereas Croatia gained in Turkey.
Steve Clarke’s Scotland gained their opening match in Group A 3-0 in opposition to Cyprus on Saturday however usurped that consequence with a surprising efficiency in opposition to three-time European champions Spain.
It was their first victory over Spain since 1984 and possibly their greatest consequence since beating France in 2007.
“The manager said before getting on the bus for the stadium: ‘This is your chance to create a legacy as a Scotland player’,” mentioned McTominay.
“These are the sort of nights in 20-30 years you remember as a player. When you watch back the game you say I was there. It’s what the game is about.”
Manchester United midfielder McTominay gave the hosts a dream begin by slotting dwelling Andrew Robertson’s cutback within the seventh minute.
Ryan Christie went near a second earlier than Joselu, who scored twice on his debut in opposition to Norway on the weekend, hit the crossbar for Spain.
Lyndon Dykes missed a golden likelihood to double the Scots’ benefit in first-half added time, however dinked the ball over the bar after racing via on aim.
McTominay made no such mistake six minutes after the restart, although, drilling dwelling a high quality left-footed volley after wonderful work from Kieran Tierney.
Spain piled on late strain however didn’t create many clear-cut possibilities as Scotland held on to the delight of a raucous crowd in Glasgow.
The loss is a critical early setback for brand new Spain coach Luis de la Fuente who took over from Luis Enrique following a World Cup last-16 exit to Morocco.
“It’s clear that the two chances they had they put away and we tried, we hit the woodwork twice, we had a lot of chances, above all in the first half,” Spain midfielder Rodri instructed Teledeporte.
“We have to improve these lapses, and these things that cost us against these teams.”
Scotland are prime of a tough Group A that additionally contains Erling Haaland’s Norway and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s Georgia.
The Georgians performed out a 1-1 draw with Norway within the different Group A sport in Batumi.
The Scandinavians took the lead via Alexander Sorloth, taking part in instead of the injured Haaland, within the fifteenth minute.
But Metz ahead Georges Mikautadze equalised on the hour mark to make sure Georgia didn’t begin their bid to qualify for a primary main match with a defeat.
“It would have been worse if we had stood here and not created chances. We had some incredible chances today. That’s life,” mentioned Norway coach Stale Solbakken.
– Croatia beat Turkey –
World Cup semi-finalists Croatia eased to a powerful 2-0 win in Turkey to kickstart their Group D marketing campaign after a gap draw with Wales.
Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic netted a first-half double with each targets coming from Mario Pasalic assists.
Croatia are degree on 4 factors with Wales after Rob Page’s aspect beat Latvia 1-0 for his or her first win because the retirement of Gareth Bale.
Striker Kieffer Moore headed dwelling the successful aim for a dominant Wales within the forty first minute.
Switzerland made it two wins from two video games in Group I with a cushty 3-0 success in opposition to Israel.
Goals from Ruben Vargas, Zeki Amdouni and Silvan Widmer helped the Swiss comply with up a 5-0 thrashing of Belarus in fashion.
Romania additionally boast a 100% document within the group after edging out Belarus 2-1, whereas Kosovo have two factors from as many matches after a 1-1 draw with Andorra.
Source web site: www.thehindu.com
