Spain 2-0 Scotland: Euro 2024 qualifying wait continues after Steve Clarke’s side suffer first defeat

Scotland’s wait for Euro 2024 qualification continues after Spain inflicted their first defeat of the campaign with a 2-0 victory in Seville.

After a perfect start, the Scots needed just a draw to secure their place in Germany next summer and looked to be on the right track after an impressive first-half defensive performance.

Scott McTominay thought he had given Scotland the lead only for VAR to rule out the goal for offside before Alvaro Morata then put the hosts ahead.

Ryan Porteous then forced Oihan Sancent’s ball over the line to compound Scotland’s woes as their wait to clinch back-to-back European Championships continues, for at least a few days.

Their fate could now fall to Spain. If they avoid defeat against Norway on Sunday, Steve Clarke’s men will fly to Germany.

Agony for Scotland

Spain made eight changes since their defeat at Hampden Park in March and Ferran Torres went close just two minutes later, one-on-one with Angus Gunn and he placed his shot past the post.

The Scots continued to live dangerously and Morata headed a header at the far post.

Scotland tried to push further as Aaron Hickey spotted McTominay in the box, but the ball was cleared right in front of him.

It then came down to defense as the hosts asserted themselves in the match as they sought revenge for the defeat at Hampden Park seven months ago.

Scotland faced this and claimed a free-kick on the edge of the box just before the half-hour mark when John McGinn was wiped out by a late challenge from Dani Carvajal, but the midfielder was asked to recover on foot.

Spain was then on the attack again. Aaron Hickey’s sliding challenge blocked Mikel Oyarzabal’s shot before Mikel Merino fired the rebound off the post.

Morata had the ball in the net soon after, but there was relief for the Tartan Army with the Atletico Madrid striker well offside.

Scotland then suffered a major blow just before half-time when captain Andy Robertson was forced off the field with a shoulder injury after a 50-50 challenge with Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon. Nathan Patterson was the player recruited to replace him.

Granada midfielder Bryan Zaragoza came on at the break for his Spain debut and wasted no time in showing his pace, beating Patterson and McTominay before firing a shot over the bar.

There was then an opening for Scotland when Lyndon Dykes sent a pass to McGinn on the edge of the Spanish penalty area, but instead of shooting his clumsy pass he found Ryan Christie, who could not control the ball.

Morata’s effort flew just over the bar before Scotland thought they had scored to send them to Germany as McTominay curled his free-kick beyond Simon only for VAR to rule it out severely for offside.

It was cruel and Morata then added to the disappointment when he headed in Jesus Navas’ cross and it looked like Clarke’s side would have to wait at least a few days to secure qualification.

They didn’t give up and Che Adams had the chance to equalize for Scotland minutes after coming off the bench, but his weak shot didn’t trouble Simon. Stuart Armstrong’s effort was then blocked by Robin Le Normand.

But there was another blow to come as Hickey slipped with Porteous then slid to clear, only to bundle the ball into his own net.

Clarke: We didn’t deserve to lose

Scotland coach Steve Clarke:

“Obviously the big moment of the game was probably the close decision on Scott McTominay’s goal, and that changes the mood a little bit.

“We can be happy with our performance, but the guys are really disappointed that we lost the game because we didn’t come here to lose.

“They called, so there’s no point in going on and on. I think there was a bit of confusion at one point, whether it was offside or whether it was because of a foul on the goalkeeper. I think if you Putting those two together Jack Hendry was slightly offside and I think when he goes towards the goalkeeper they interpreted that as if Jack then got involved in the game.

“But I’ll tell you, there’s not a chance in the world the goalkeeper was going to save that, no matter where Jack Hendry was.

“It’s a VAR decision that goes against you, you just have to move on. At that stage of the game everything was fine. The second goal gives Spain a bit of shine, I’m not sure that they deserve it because we have a good chance.

Marshall: I have no doubt about Scotland qualifying for the Euro

Former Scotland international David Marshall on SSN:

“Everyone would have clapped their hands for the position they are in now, it would have been great to get to Germany tonight, but I have no doubt Scotland will be there, whether it’s this weekend or the month next.

“Steve has built a great team, with great belief to come here and defend very well. They were unfortunate not to take the lead tonight and it would have been interesting to see how the game would have gone then .

“Lots of positives though and let’s see how Spain and Norway do this weekend…”

And after?

Scotland face the World Cup finalists France friendly in Lille on Tuesday; kick-off at 8 p.m.

Clarke’s side then return to action in November with two Euro 2024 qualifiers. Georgia on November 16 followed by a home match against Norway on November 19.

Spainas for them, are back in action on Sunday against Norway in Oslo during a crucial qualification for Euro 2024; kick-off at 7:45 p.m.