{"id":294443,"date":"2023-10-12T21:24:07","date_gmt":"2023-10-12T21:24:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/allmysportsnews.com\/?p=294443"},"modified":"2023-10-12T21:24:07","modified_gmt":"2023-10-12T21:24:07","slug":"spain-2-0-scotland-spaniards-strike-late-in-tough-loss-for-scots","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/allmysportsnews.com\/soccer\/spain-2-0-scotland-spaniards-strike-late-in-tough-loss-for-scots\/","title":{"rendered":"Spain 2-0 Scotland: Spaniards strike late in tough loss for Scots"},"content":{"rendered":"
It is a city famous for its oranges, but Scotland were left to suck on the bitterest of lemons here in Seville.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s side ahead direct from a free-kick.<\/p>\n
But suddenly Scotland\u2019s Premier League\u00a0stars 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.<\/p>\n
Later, UEFA communicated that the player was offside. It all felt like a confused mess – nothing new there.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Scotland suffered a 2-0 defeat against Spain during Thursday night’s Euro 2024 qualifying match<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Andy Robertson (right) was substituted after he suffered a nasty shoulder injury in an aerial collision with Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Alvaro Morata continued his fine vein of form scoring his 12th goal of the season\u00a0<\/p>\n
Your browser does not support iframes.<\/p>\n
Scotland\u2019s 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.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
His team came to the \u2018frying pan of Europe\u2019 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\u2019t here to be \u2018fed to the dogs\u2019, at the notoriously intimidating Estadio La Cartuja. They showed there is bite to justify the bark.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Wilt amid the pressure-cooker? They grew in stature and the sight of Brentford\u2019s Aaron Hickey throwing his body on the line to block a Mikel Oyarzabal blast captured their courage.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
It was heartbreak for Scotland after Ryan Porteous conceded an own goal late on\u00a0<\/p>\n
Spain XI: <\/span>(4-3-3) Simon, Carvajal, Le Normand Laporte, Balde, Gavi, Rodri, Merino, F Torres, Morata, Oyrarabal.<\/p>\n Substitutes:<\/span>\u00a0Arrizabalaga, Raya, Sancet, Pau Torres, Fabian Ruiz, Zaragoza, Joselu, Fati, Garcia, Zubimendi, Fran Garcia, Navas.<\/p>\n Manager:<\/span>\u00a0Luis de la Fuente<\/p>\n Goals:<\/span>\u00a0Morata 73′, Porteous (OG) 86′<\/p>\n Yellow cards:<\/span> Merino, Carvajal, Simon.\u00a0<\/p>\n Scotland XI:<\/span>\u00a0(5-4-1) Gunn, Hickey, Hendry, Porteous, McKenna, Robertson, McGregor, McTominay, McGinn, Christie, Dykes.<\/p>\n Substitutes:<\/span>\u00a0Kelly, Clark, Souttar, Cooper, Adams, Gilmour. Armstrong, Brown, Ferguson, Taylor, Patterson, McLean.<\/p>\n Manager:<\/span>\u00a0Steve Clarke\u00a0<\/p>\n Goals:<\/span>\u00a0None<\/p>\n Yellow cards:<\/span> Dykes, Patterson, Hendry.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Rodri returned to play after the Man City midfielder had been suspended for three matches\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n But it was a tough evening for Steve Clarke’s side who still remain top of the group\u00a0<\/p>\n It’s All Kicking Off is an exciting new podcast from Mail Sport that promises a different take on Premier League football.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n It is available on MailOnline, Mail+, YouTube, Apple Music and Spotify.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Your browser does not support iframes.<\/p>\nIT’S ALL KICKING OFF!\u00a0<\/h3>\n