Spain 2-0 Scotland: Spaniards strike twice late on to make Scots wait to qualify after Scott McTominay stunner was harshly ruled out… with Andy Robertson suffering nasty shoulder injury
- Scotland suffered a tough 2-0 defeat against Spain on Thursday in Seville
- Steve Clarke’s side lost Andy Robertson before half-time with a shoulder injury
- Alvaro Morata broke the deadlock before an own goal saw Spain secure the win
It is a city famous for its oranges, but Scotland were left to suck on the bitterest of lemons here in Seville.
After an hour of stubborn resistance and needing only a draw to become the first nation qualified for Euro 2024, Scott McTominay thought he had fired Steve Clarke’s side ahead direct from a free-kick.
But suddenly Scotland’s Premier League stars felt right at home in the south of Spain, with celebrations cut short for a VAR review. Jack Hendry, we were told, had impeded goalkeeper Unai Simon and the goal was scrubbed off. It looked soft.
Later, UEFA communicated that the player was offside. It all felt like a confused mess – nothing new there.
By then, though, Alvaro Morata had headed Spain into the lead and a late Ryan Porteous own goal sealed a win that was barely deserved.
Scotland suffered a 2-0 defeat against Spain during Thursday night’s Euro 2024 qualifying match
Andy Robertson (right) was substituted after he suffered a nasty shoulder injury in an aerial collision with Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon
Alvaro Morata continued his fine vein of form scoring his 12th goal of the season
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Scotland’s wait for a place in Germany goes on, but that could come as soon as Sunday night should Spain take points off Norway in Oslo.
It remains almost certain that they will make it back-to-back Euro qualifications, but Clarke will leave here believing it should already be confirmed.
His team came to the ‘frying pan of Europe’ and poured cold water on the notion that Spain always sizzle in Seville. John McGinn said on the eve of the match that Scotland weren’t here to be ‘fed to the dogs’, at the notoriously intimidating Estadio La Cartuja. They showed there is bite to justify the bark.
Spain did their usual in the first half, possession being nine tenths of the bore. Come half-time, Angus Gunn had not made a save, although a Mikel Merino strike that cracked the inside of the post was a let-off.
Spain have never lost a competitive match in Seville, but this was one they really needed to win. The last opponent you want to face in that scenario is Scotland. It was 27C at kick-off, yet the heat did not stifle the visitors.
Wilt amid the pressure-cooker? They grew in stature and the sight of Brentford’s Aaron Hickey throwing his body on the line to block a Mikel Oyarzabal blast captured their courage.
But that spirit was broken by VAR and, on 74 minutes, Morata glanced home from a Jesus Navas centre. Porteous then turned into his own net in the 81st minute after Joselu had slid the ball into the goalmouth.
It was heartbreak for Scotland after Ryan Porteous conceded an own goal late on
Match Facts
Spain XI: (4-3-3) Simon, Carvajal, Le Normand Laporte, Balde, Gavi, Rodri, Merino, F Torres, Morata, Oyrarabal.
Substitutes: Arrizabalaga, Raya, Sancet, Pau Torres, Fabian Ruiz, Zaragoza, Joselu, Fati, Garcia, Zubimendi, Fran Garcia, Navas.
Manager: Luis de la Fuente
Goals: Morata 73′, Porteous (OG) 86′
Yellow cards: Merino, Carvajal, Simon.
Scotland XI: (5-4-1) Gunn, Hickey, Hendry, Porteous, McKenna, Robertson, McGregor, McTominay, McGinn, Christie, Dykes.
Substitutes: Kelly, Clark, Souttar, Cooper, Adams, Gilmour. Armstrong, Brown, Ferguson, Taylor, Patterson, McLean.
Manager: Steve Clarke
Goals: None
Yellow cards: Dykes, Patterson, Hendry.
Rodri returned to play after the Man City midfielder had been suspended for three matches
But it was a tough evening for Steve Clarke’s side who still remain top of the group
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