Spain defeated Scotland 2-0 in a contentious qualifying match to go to the Euro 2024 tournament

Spain defeated Scotland 2-0 on Thursday in crucial Euro 2024 qualification, with to goals from Alvaro Morata and Oihan Sancet.

Steve Clarke’s team was incensed after Scott McTominay put Scotland ahead with a spectacular free kick, but the goal was overturned for interference with Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon.

La Roja’s triumph, which puts Spain on the edge of Euro 2024, was sealed by Sancet after he collided with defender Ryan Porteous after Morata had opened the scoring after 73 minutes.

“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 said Spanish television station TVE.

Our greatest quality was patience; as the minutes passed and we became weary, space started to materialize.

With a point in Seville, Group A leaders Scotland would have guaranteed their place at the championship in Germany the following summer.

If Spain, who are currently in second position, defeats third-placed Norway on Sunday, Clarke’s squad will advance to back-to-back European Championships.

Spain can secure their own qualifying if they defeat Norway, who destroyed Cyprus 4-0 on Thursday. Spain is three points behind Scotland in the standings.

Scotland had a spotless record in their five previous qualifiers, including a 2-0 victory against Spain in Glasgow in March. They came in Andalucia with that record.

In his second game in charge, Spain coach Luis de la Fuente stated his squad was in much better form for the rematch, and it turned out to be true.

Spain and Rodri controlled the ball and the game, with Ferran Torres missing a goal opportunity in the opening minute while Mikel Merino hit the post and Morata had a goal disallowed for offside.

British left-back Andy Robertson was in the top 10 of the country after earning his 67th international cap, but his night was cut short when he was forced off the field with a shoulder injury after colliding with Simon.

At halftime, Spain substituted winger Bryan Zaragoza, who immediately caught the eye with a barely missed shot after a wild move.

McTominay, who scored both of Scotland’s goals against Spain in Glasgow, believed he had scored when his stinging free-kick from an absurdly tight angle burst into the far top corner, setting up frenzied celebrations.

Even though there was hardly any contact, the referee disallowed the goal when VAR told him to see a video, ostensibly for a foul by Jack Hendry on Simon.

Despite signaling a foul, the referee subsequently reportedly told the team that Hendry had been penalized for offside.

Scotland midfielder John McGinn told Viaplay, “From a Scotland point of view, everyone watching that game tonight, 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.”

“Will he be able to salvage it? None at all. There is no goalie in the world who can stop that. At one point, the referee first called it a foul but then realized he made a mistake and changed it to offside.

Clarke said he had no idea why the goal had been disallowed.

If it was an offside or a foul, I’m not sure what he gave it for, to be honest. “The game turned on a small margin,” remarked Clarke.

You may reiterate the objective as much as you want, but because we won’t achieve it, we must go on.

When La Roja broke the tie, Jesus Navas crossed for Morata to wonderfully head home, Scotland were still on edge.

Sancet just out-distanced Porteous to score Spain’s second goal after the usually excellent Aaron Hickey stumbled and allowed Joselu to glide the ball across the area.

De la Fuente said with satisfaction, “We had this Plan B and we were mature, we knew how to compete.”

To clarify what he had said, Rodri remarked, “I don’t think my words were well-interpreted. I always respect the opponent, and I’ll never criticize an opponent’s football,” alluding to his criticism of Scotland in March when he was not as composed.