Spain on Friday won their Euro qualifiers match against Scotland at the Estadio Olímpico de Sevilla. Alvaro Morata and Oihan Sancet were on the scoresheet for La Roja. Spain consolidated their second position in Group A of Euro qualifiers with 12 points from 5 matches. Scotland has 15 points, having played a game more.
Spain had a score to settle after being unhappy with Scotland’s approach during the teams’ last meeting at Hampden Park. Manchester City’s treble-winning midfielder Rodri had accused the Scots of playing “rubbish” football after their 2-0 defeat – La Roja’s only reverse since Luis de la Fuente took charge last December. Spain’s starting lineup showed three changes to the team that began their last game – last month’s 6-0 thrashing of Cyprus. Lamine Yamal withdrew from the squad with a hip injury earlier this week, so the Barcelona youngster joins Nico Williams and Jose Gaya – who have also battled fitness issues in the last month – in dropping out. Balde, Ferran Torres and Oyarzabal took the trio’s place.
Scotland only needed a point to secure their place at next year’s tournament in Germany, with manager Steve Clarke on the brink of leading his nation to back-to-back European Championship finals appearances. Keeping that in mind, Clarke made three changes to the team beaten 3-1 by England in the last international break. McKenna took Kieran Tierney’s place in the back three as the latter was injured. Christie and Dykes were also summoned in for Adams and Gilmour, the latter being a surprise omission.
The La Roja dominated possession right from the get-go with midfielders Merino and Rodri seeing plenty of the ball. However, Spain failed to convert their possession into a goal. They came quite close to scoring the opener in the 34th minute when Merino’s low volley beat Gunn. But the ball bounced off the inside of his right-hand post and went away for a goal-kick.
Spain increased their intensity in the 2nd half. However, they survived a scare when Scott McTominay scored but the goal was ruled out for an off-side in the 60th minute.
La Roja broke the deadlock in the 73rd minute through skipper Alvaro Morata’s header. The captain headed the ball in from a beautiful whipped cross from Jesus Navas.
Spain doubled their lead in the 86th minute through Oihan Sancet. An Aaron Hickey slip near own penalty box resulted in Sancet bundling the ball in somehow past the goalkeeper.
Spain vs Scotland XI
Spain XI – Unai Simon; Dani Carvajal, Robin Le Normand, Aymeric Laporte, Alejandro Balde; Mikel Merino, Rodri, Gavi; Mikel Oyarzabal, Alvaro Morata, Ferran Torres.
Scotland XI – Angus Gunn; Ryan Porteous, Jack Hendry, Scott McKenna; Aaron Hickey, Ryan Christie, Callum McGregor, Andy Robertson; John McGinn, Scott McTominay; Lyndon Dykes.
