Spain win delays Scotland Euro 2024 qualification

Updated: Oct 12, 2023, 05:53 pm

Álvaro Morata and Oihan Sancet scored second-half goals as Spain ensured their would be no Scottish party with a 2-0 victory in their Euro 2024 Group A encounter on Thursday, leaving a frustrated Scotland waiting to book a finals place.

Scotland lead the group with 15 points from their six games having endured defeat for the first time in the campaign, while Spain have 12 points from five matches and Norway 10 from six.

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Scotland will qualify if Norway fail to win at home to Spain on Sunday.

The victory extends Spain's winning run in home Euro qualifiers to 25 matches dating back to 2003, but they were kept at bay for much of the night by some brave Scottish defence, though the loss after 44 minutes of captain Andy Robertson to injury was a blow for the visitors.

Spain players celebrate after scoring a goal against Scotland in a European Championship qualifier.
Spain players celebrate after scoring a goal against Scotland in a European Championship qualifier.
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Scotland thought they had scored the opener midway through the second half when Scott McTominay netted from a free-kick, but the goal was ruled out for offside.

"The big moments went against us," midfielder John McGinn told Viaplay. "It's a sore blow losing Robbo early, then thinking we're ahead, we regroup and then they score."

Ferran Torres found himself one-on-one with visiting goalkeeper Angus Gunn in the first minute but put his shot wide, and the hosts went closer when Mikel Merino's shot from the edge of the box crashed into the post.

McTominay's free-kick from a tight angle squeezed in at the far post, but a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) check adjudged defender Jack Hendry to have been offside, before Spain finally made their possession count as Morata stooped to head home Jesús Navas' inviting cross.

The points were safe when Aaron Hickey's slip under no pressure allowed Sancet to score from a Joselu cross, though it did appear the last touch came off defender Ryan Porteous.

"It was tough today, at the end we take the three points and we're very happy with that," Morata told BBC.

"They [Scotland] defended good and they are very dangerous in counter-attacks. When they have this spirit, they are a good team."

Norway cruised to victory in the other game in the group as Erling Haaland scored twice in a 4-0 win in Cyprus.