McTominay scores brace as Scotland stun Spain in Euro 2024 qualifying

Glasgow, Scotland, Mar 28 (EFE).- Scott McTominay scored once early in the first half and completed his brace shortly after the intermission to lead Scotland to a 2-0 victory here Tuesday night over Spain in Euro 2024 qualifying.

In a match between teams that had each notched 3-0 victories in their opening Group A matches, the home team came out in gritty fashion at Hampden Park and refused to give Spain’s skillful attackers time or room to flourish.

And the Scots were opportunistic with the ball at their feet.

The opening goal came in the seventh minute after Spanish defender Pedro Porro slipped deep in his end of the field and allowed Andrew Robertson to gain possession.

The Scottish captain proceeded to send a pass into the area for McTominay, whose shot deflected off of Iñigo Martinez and into the goal past net minder Kepa Arrizabalaga.

The home side then nearly doubled their lead eight minutes later when Ryan Christie dribbled to the edge of the penalty area and fired a shot that went just wide of the right post.

Spain began settling into the match at that juncture though, dominating possession and nearly earning the equalizer in the 23rd minute when Joselu received a cross from Porro and headed a powerful shot off the crossbar.

Even so, Scotland had another golden opportunity in first-half stoppage time when Lyndon Dykes sailed a shot just over the bar in a one-on-one chance against Kepa.

After the break, Dani Carvajal, who had entered the game as a substitute at the start of the second half, got off to a rough start when Kieran Tierney eased past him on the left side and sent a cross into the area.

The deflection came to McTominay, who scored his fourth goal of Scotland’s first two Euro 2024 qualifying matches when he slammed a shot into the bottom left from the edge of the box.

Their backs against the wall, Spain repeatedly tried to get on the scoreboard, with Nico Williams and Jose Gaya leading the charge.

But despite a whopping 75-25 percent edge in time of possession, La Roja were unable to get on the scoreboard and now find themselves in second place in their group and three points behind first-place Scotland.

In other action Tuesday, Georgia and Norway played to a 1-1 draw, Croatia topped Turkey 2-0, Wales defeated Latvia 1-0, Switzerland defeated Israel 3-0, Romania beat Belarus 2-1 and Kosovo and Andorra played to a 1-1 draw.

EFE

er/mc