Late second-half goals from captain Alvaro Morata and Oihan Sancet gave Spain a critical 2-0 win over group leaders Scotland in their UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying clash. After Scotland’s historic 2-0 victory earlier in the year they were in control of the group, heaping pressure on Spain coming into this game. Scotland had a goal ruled out and lost Andy Robertson to injury in a tense game.
Scotland will have to wait to book their place at Euro 2024, as their 100% start to the qualifying campaign came to an end after suffering a controversial 2-0 defeat to Spain in Seville.
La Roja dominated from the off, but after Ferran Torres and Alvaro Morata wasted two glorious openings, they generally found it tough to break down a visiting side who defended deep, often with 11 men behind the ball.
That meant Luis de la Fuente’s side had to be patient in their build-up, which they were in an attack that led to Mikel Merino rattling the woodwork just before half-time.
Things didn’t get any easier for Spain after the break, when they should have been hit by a suckerpunch when Scott McTominay’s sublime free-kick found the top corner, but it was harshly ruled out for a foul on the goalkeeper.
That seemed to give the hosts a lift, and they duly took the lead when Morata converted from Jesus Navas’ cross, before Ryan Porteous tackled Oihan Sancet in the area, only for the ball to hit the forward and bobble in.
TALKING POINT – SCOTLAND DON’T GET THE RUB OF THE GREEN
This was a night when a significant number of refereeing decisions went against Scotland, none more so than the goal that got disallowed on the hour mark.
The strike from Scott McTominay was worthy of winning any game, but the officials weren’t happy with it because Jack Hendry gently brushed up against goalkeeper Unai Simon, who barely even bothered to try and jump to stop the ball sailing over his head.
There was some confusion as to why the goal was ruled out; perhaps for offside, if not for a foul, but even so, If that’s the type of contact that counts as a foul now, we may as well pack it in.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH – RYAN PORTEOUS (SCOTLAND)
Spain may have won this game, but there’s no doubting that the most impressive performances came from the Scottish players, none more so than Ryan Porteous.
The 24-year old was near faultless as one of three central-defenders, putting in a huge shift to keep the likes Morata, Torres and Oyarzabal quiet.
He was also handy at the other end on the rare occasions that Steve Clarke’s side got forward, and who can forget his outstanding block to keep out Joselu’s strike late on?
PLAYER RATINGS
SPAIN: Simon 6; Carvajal 5, Le Normand 6, Laporte 6, Balde 6; Gavi 6, Rodri 5, Merino 6, Torres 6, Morata 7, Oyarzabal 6. Subs; Zaragoza 6, Fran Garcia 6, Sancet 6, Navas 7
SCOTLAND: Gunn 6; Hickey 7, Porteous 8, Hendry 8, McKenna 7, Robertson 6; McGinn 7, McTominay 7, McGregor 6, Christie 6, Dykes 6. Subs: Patterson, Armstrong n/a, Adams n/a, McLean n/a, Gilmour n/a
KEY MOMENTS
2’ WIDE FROM TORRES. It should be 1-0! Alvaro Morata plays in Ferran Torres, who’s through on goal and into the box. He only has the ‘keeper to beat, but clips his shot wide. That’s a very poor finish
31’ WOODWORK RATTLED. Spain had Scotland against the ropes there. A lovely ball releases Gavi, and after Orayzabal’s shot is deflected to the edge of the area, Mikel Merino’s stinging strike smashes into the woodwork, roles across the line and goes out of play
60’ GOAL RULED OUT. Scott McTominay curls a stunning free-kick into the top corner, but VAR ask the referee to look at it, and the strike gets ruled out for Jack Hendry fouling Unai Simon. The goalkeeper barely got touched!
74’ GOAL! SPAIN 1-0 SCOTLAND (Alvaro Morata). Deadlock broken! Jesus Navas picks out Morata with a whipped cross. The striker’s missed a catalogue of chances this evening, but on this occasion finally finds the target. Gutting for Scotland, truly gutting
86’ GOAL! SPAIN 2-0 SCOTLAND (Oihan Sancet). That is heartbreaking for Scotland. An error from Hickey on the left gifts Spain the opportunity to cross. Porteous is in the middle and has to make contact on the ball, but all he can do is fire against Sancet, with the ball bobbling in
Source: Euro Sport
