In all its history, Scotland has only managed to participate in two European Championship finals in a row once: it was in 1992 and 1996. Steve Clarke’s players seem on track to repeat this performance because, after taking part in Euro 2021, they are at the top of group A of qualifying for Euro 2024, after two days. The Chardon eleven, who had already beaten Cyprus (3-0) at Hampden Park on Saturday, won again in their lair on Tuesday evening against a much more prestigious opponent, whom they had not beaten since 1984: the ‘Spain.
This success owes a lot to Scott McTominay, author of two goals, he who had already scored twice at the end of the match against Cyprus (87th, 90 + 3rd) when he was not a starter. Facing La Roja, the Scottish midfielder was in the starting lineup this time, which rarely happens to him with Manchester United this season (only 7 times in the Premier League) and he therefore shone. The Red Devil first scored by taking a back pass from Andy Robertson (1-0, 6th), on an action where the Spanish side Pedro Porro had slipped. Then McTominay doubled the bet by receiving a cross from Kieran Tierney (2-0, 51st), who had previously dropped Dani Carvajal on a dazzling acceleration.
More generally, the victory of the Scots is well deserved, as they showed a fascinating abnegation, carried by a formidable public, which sang “Flowers of Scotland” several times in the second half. Robertson and his teammates could even have scored more goals, if Ryan Christie had not missed the target on a shot at the end of the race (14th), if Lyndon Dykes had won his face-to-face with Kepa Arrizabalaga (45 + 1st) and if John McGinn had had more luck, when his free kick hit the bar (57th).
Opposite the Spaniards, who remained on a hard-won success against Norway (3-0), delivered an overall rather disappointing performance, especially in the second half. Because before the break, they had been very close to equalizing, in particular via a header from Joselu which was pushed back by the bar (23rd), then via a powerful shot from Porro that Bryan Gunn hardly cleared with his fists (29th).
But little by little, La Roja, lacking benchmarks, collectively lost the thread, which can probably be explained by the fact that compared to the match against Norway, its starting lineup had been greatly modified. (only three players started the two meetings). A decision which the new Spanish coach, Luis De la Fuente will have to explain, he whose most choices, this Tuesday evening, proved disconcerting to say the least.