SEVILLE: Alvaro Morata’s diving header and a scrappy Oihan Sancet goal earned Spain an important 2-0 win over Scotland in Euro 2024 qualifying on Thursday.
Steve Clarke’s side were left furious after Scott McTominay scored a brilliant free-kick to put Scotland ahead but the goal was disallowed for interfering with Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon.
Morata broke the deadlock after 73 minutes and Sancet bundled home as he tangled with defender Ryan Porteous to seal La Roja’s victory, which puts them on the verge of Euro 2024.
“We knew their level, they are a tough opponent, for how hard they work, how tight they keep their lines, they are well-drilled, that’s why they’re first in the group,” Rodri told Spanish broadcasters TVE.
“Our biggest virtue was patience … with the minutes going by and the tiredness, space appeared.”
Group A leaders Scotland would have sealed qualification for the tournament in Germany next summer with a point in Seville.
Should second-placed Spain avoid defeat against Norway, third, on Sunday, Clarke’s team will reach consecutive European Championships.
Spain, three points behind Scotland, can wrap up their own qualification if they beat Norway, who thrashed Cyprus 4-0 on Thursday.
Scotland arrived in Andalucia with an immaculate record from their five previous qualifiers, including a 2-0 win over Spain in Glasgow in March.
It was Spain coach Luis de la Fuente’s second game in charge and he insisted his team were in far better shape ahead of the rematch, and so it proved.
Thousands of visiting fans jeered Spain midfielder Rodri Hernandez, who had labelled Scotland’s tactics and approach at Hampden Park “rubbish”.
Rodri and Spain dominated possession and the game, with Ferran Torres firing wide in the first minute when he should have scored, while Mikel Merino struck the post and Morata had a goal ruled out for offside.
Scotland left-back Andy Robertson was celebrating winning his 67th international cap, taking him into the country’s top 10, but his night ended in disappointment when he was taken off with a shoulder injury following a collision with Simon.
Spain threw on winger Bryan Zaragoza for his debut at half-time and he instantly caught the eye, firing narrowly over after a mazy dribble.
Controversial moment
McTominay, who netted both of Scotland’s goals against Spain in Glasgow, thought he had struck again when his stinging free-kick from an impossibly tight angle ripped into the far top corner, sparking wild celebrations.
However, the referee ruled out the goal after VAR instructed him to watch a replay, apparently for a foul by Jack Hendry on Simon, even though very little contact was made.
Despite indicating a foul, later the official apparently explained to players it was disallowed for offside against Hendry.
“Everyone watching that game tonight from a Scotland point of view, wherever you were, it just felt like we weren’t getting any 50-50 decision – it made it very difficult against a world-class team,” Scotland midfielder John McGinn told Viaplay.
“Is he going to save it? No chance. No goalkeeper in the world is going to save that. However, at one point (the referee) said it’s a foul, realises it isn’t a foul, so changes it to offside.”
Clarke said he did not know why the referee had ruled out the goal.
“You can show the goal as many times as you like, we’re not getting it, we have to move on.”
Scotland were still seething when La Roja broke the deadlock, Jesus Navas crossing for Morata to head home brilliantly.
Spain’s second came when the otherwise superb Aaron Hickey slipped, allowing Joselu to slide the ball across the box and Sancet just beat Porteous to it.
“We had this Plan B and we were mature, we knew how to compete,” said a happy De la Fuente.
“I want to clear up what I said, I don’t think my words were well-interpreted – I always respect the opponent, I’ll never criticise the football of an opponent,” added a satisfied Rodri, referring to his rebuke of Scotland in March when he was not as calm.
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