Spain vs Scotland LIVE: Euro 2024 qualifier result after Scott McTominay goal controversially ruled out
Spain 2-0 Scotand: McTominay’s strike was disallowed with the Euro 2024 qualifier goalless, before Alvaro Morata and a Ryan Porteous own goal gave the hosts a controversial win
Scotland suffered their first Euro 2024 qualifying defeat with a 2-0 loss in Spain but qualification hopes remain alive.
The Scots had won their first five Group A qualifiers including a 2-0 win over the Spanish at Hampden Park in March and needed to take something from the return game in Seville or Norway fail to beat Cyprus, to qualify on the night.
In a stifling warm evening, the Scots survived some heavy first-half pressure to go in at the break goalless before Scott McTominay, who scored both goals against Spain in Glasgow, fired in a wonderful free-kick in the 59th minute only to see it ruled out after a VAR check for a Jack Hendry infringement.
Alvaro Morata headed in after 73 minutes and substitute Oihan Sancet and Scotland defender Ryan Porteous clashed together for the second in the 86th minute and with Norway beating Cyprus, Steve Clarke’s men move on to the second October fixture.
Follow all the action as Spain host Scotland in the Euro 2024 qualifiers plus get all the latest odds and tips right here:
Spain 0-0 Scotland
2 mins: CHANCE! Spain should be ahead - that is a major let off for Scotland! Ferran Torres is slipped through, with Scotland’s backline all over the place, but the Spain forward puts it wide! What a miss!
Spain are dominating the opening stages.
KICK-OFF! Spain 0-0 Scotland
Underway in Seville! Can Scotland get the job done tonight? Spain are starting with just three players who began at Hampden in March - they are a different side and a much tougher test for Steve Clarke’s men.
But a draw would do - can Scotland secure it?
Spain vs Scotland: Kick-off is next!
The players are out at La Cartuja and it’s time for the anthems!
Scotland have not won in Spain since 1963 - victory tonight would not only be historic, but would secure qualification for Euro 2024.
It’s a big one - and that’s a Flower of Scotland to reflect it.
Spain respond with a rousing rendition of their own - the hosts are desperate to get their own back tonight.
Spain vs Scotland: More McSauce?
Scott McTominay was Scotland’s hero last time out against Spain with both goals at Hampden. Only Romelu Lukaku has scored more than the Manchester United midfielder during Euro 2024 qualifying. With six, he has more than the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Harry Kane and Robert Lewandowski.
Spain vs Scotland: Steve Clarke says Scots won’t ‘defend all night’
Steve Clarke on how Scotland can repeat their upset of Spain tonight: “I think we have been constantly improving over my tenure as head coach.
“We are improving all the time, we are striving to improve, trying to add little bits to our game that will make us more competitive against the top teams but we understand we still have a bit to go.”
“But we don’t come here thinking that we have to sit in and defend all night.
“We have to be as effective with the ball as we were at Hampden. We want to get the job done as quickly as possible.
“If we are good enough to get it done tomorrow night that would be great. If not we have two more chances in November and we have those chances because we started the group so well.
“We have 15 points from five games, that is a good start.
“We know we have to get more points to get over the line. Do I think this team will finish the group on 15 points? No, I think we will get more points. Whether that is tomorrow or in November.”
Spain vs Scotland: McGinn calls on Rodri to be shown ‘respect’
John McGinn on facing Rodri after the Spain captain called Scotland “rubbish” following the 2-0 defeat in Glasgow:
“It doesn’t matter anymore. I’ve probably lost count of the amount of trophies he’s won since that game.
“There’s not much we can say to him. He’ll have said things in the heat of the moment, but it’s gone now.
“He’s a world-class player who we all respect as a squad, and I think the country should follow.”
Spain vs Scotland: ‘We need to be better’, insists John McGinn
John McGinn ahead of Scotland’s trip to Spain and why it’s an exciting time for the national team: “There’s plenty more to come. We’re all at a good age. We’re getting more and more experience of these games.
“The great thing for us is there’s a couple of great young players bubbling away in the background that could come and improve us.
“It’s a really exciting time to be a Scotland player. The fans are here regardless of the results, but we’re now giving them some success which we’re enjoying. Hopefully we can carry that on.
“When you come back up the road you hear about the positive impact you’re having on the whole country. Everyone is behind the team again.
“We need to be better (than the win over Spain). We’re away from home, a team is stronger at home. It wasn’t as hot in Glasgow in March.
“We need to be aggressive, it’s in our nature as a country. Hard working, determined, we’ll fight for every ball.
“We need to get the balance right. We need to be physical and aggressive, but we’ve got some great players as well. At the Spain game, we showed good moments of quality.”
Spain vs Scotland: How the Scots became the one team Rodri could not defeat
There was the Champions League in Istanbul. The FA Cup at Wembley. A third Premier League title in a row in Manchester. The treble was followed by the Nations League in the Netherlands and the Super Cup in Greece. Yet if the list of trophies won by Rodri with club and country in 2023 can only be matched by Aymeric Laporte, the Spaniard’s compatriot and former Manchester City teammate can hardly rival his influence: it was Rodri who scored the winning goal against Inter Milan in June’s Champions League final, Rodri who was named player of the finals as Spain defeated Croatia to win the Nations League.
It is tempting to brand 2023 as the year of Rodri; individual awards do not tend to favour defensive midfielders, but he may have a case for winning the Ballon d’Or. Yet an outstanding campaign has featured just the one dark night: at Hampden in March, Rodri and Spain were humbled by Scotland, beaten 2-0 in the swirling rain.
Yet Scotland would be wise to look ahead to their trip to La Cartuja with a certain amount of trepidation: Spain are seeking revenge and, in Rodri, Scotland have managed to make a nemesis out of a player whose powers have never felt greater.
Spain vs Scotland preview
How Scotland became the one team Rodri could not defeat
As Spain and Scotland meet in Seville tonight, the Manchester City midfielder will be out for revenge after March’s defeat at Hampden
Spain vs Scotland: Team news!
The big question facing Steve Clarke this week was how he was going to replace the injured Kieran Tierney - and the Scotland boss has gone with Scott McKenna in a move that suggests he is sticking with his back three.
Scott McTominay, Callum McGregor and John McGinn form the midfield three, with Lyndon Dykes selected ahead of Che Adams to lead the line. He will need some support from Ryan Christie, who also starts in attack.
Spain are much stronger than they were at Hampden. Alvaro Morata starts along with Gavi, with Ferran Torres and Mikel Oyarzabal completing the front three. Oh, someone called Rodri is playing too.
Spain XI: Simon; Carvajal, Le Normand, Laporte, Balde; Merino, Rodri, Gavi; Torres, Morata, Oyarzabal
Scotland XI: Gunn; Porteous, Hendry, McKenna; Hickey, McTominay, McGregor, Robertson; Christie, McGinn; Dykes
Spain vs Scotland: What do Scotland need to qualify for Euro 2024?
Scotland are currently six points ahead of Spain, who have a game in hand, and still have Georgia and Norway to face in November to complete the Euro qualifiers.
If Scotland draw or win against Spain, they will qualify for Euro 2024. However, they can also qualify with some help from the other Pool A match between Norway and Cyprus.
If Norway lose or draw to beat Cyprus, then Scotland will also qualify regardless of their result against Spain.
It’s that simple, right?
What do Scotland need to qualify for Euro 2024?
Here’s how Scotland can become the first team to join Germany at Euro 2024
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