There are nights that define a player. Special performances that stand out to fans for years or even decades to come.
Tuesday, without a doubt, was one of those nights. For Scott McTominay, March 28, 2023 now stands as a brilliant achievement.
Maybe it won’t always be the highest. Perhaps the Manchester United midfielder will one day do something even more remarkable than bring Spain to its knees, elevating a brilliantly cheerful Hampden in the process. Maybe.
At 26, he has time. However, what she did here was a feat for history. And it will resonate as such from now on.
In the distant future, once the boots have been put away for good, the Scots will still stop McTominay and find him, on a Cheshire street, in a Manchester restaurant, and ask him for memories of how he felt.
Scott McTominay scored a brace on Tuesday as Scotland beat Spain 2-0
The 26-year-old’s performance will be remembered by Scottish fans for years to come.
Not that his presence is necessarily necessary. Mention his name in a pub after a few pints have been drunk and memories will unfurl among those gathered to discuss football.
Where they sat in Hampden. The hoarseness and bruises sustained in celebration. Lost wallets and keys. The friends with whom they traveled and who are no longer there. Such is the power of a result as famous as this. It can act as a unifying time machine, taking everyone back to exactly when McTominay ruled supreme.
It wasn’t just his two goals, absolutely wonderful as they were. It was all that came with them.
Confidence, aggressiveness, that little twist outside his own penalty area when the first half pressure was building. All the details add extra sparkle to a jewel of a display that capped Scotland’s biggest victory at Hampden since France said goodbye in 2006.
Of course, we didn’t actually qualify for the European Championship back then. This time, the exceptional momentum provided a six-point start that should propel the national team all the way to Germany next summer.
Based on recent evidence, McTominay appears to have made it his personal mission. Coming off the bench on Saturday to score a brace against Cyprus was merely the warm-up act for his breakout performance. The only thing missing on Tuesday night was a mic drop before strutting down the tunnel.
On Monday night, Spain midfielder Rodri spoke about renewing a rivalry formed on opposite sides of the Manchester derby gap. However, it rarely feels that way for him in the colors of the city. Second best. Bowed in defeat.
Wearing the captain’s armband, Rodri led Spain’s players to acknowledge their supporters as the other 90 per cent of Hampden jumped in unison. McTominay was first in Scotland’s lap of honor.
His smile shone brighter than the spotlights illuminating the rain. Of course she rained. Just how it should be. Perfect. From the beginning.
The win gives Steve Clarke’s side an excellent chance to qualify for Euro 2024
Spain now sits second in the qualifying group with three points after beating Norway
Scotland’s opening to the match almost felt like a rebuke to reality. John McGinn’s shield, Ryan Christie’s run, Callum McGregor’s check, and most importantly, McTominay’s deflected finish sent a wave of pure jubilation around Hampden. Spain seemed lost. A supposed superpower lacking in authority against intrepid upstarts.
When, after 14 minutes, Christie stepped up to finish with his left foot just wide of the goal, the stadium crackled with chances few would have soberly predicted before kick-off. The visitors, bluntly, looked for the shot there.
Like all truly great teams, there came a time when even those with a moderate interest in soccer might be able to shell out Spain’s starting line-up.
Heavily infused with the ball-holding brilliance of Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona, it was a list made up of the best players in the game. From Iker Casillas in goal to David Villa up front, with midfield luminaries Xavi, Andrés Iniesta and Sergio Busquets in between, there was instant recognition far beyond Madrid or Málaga.
This was the version from Spain that last performed at Hampden in October 2010. World and European Champions. The undisputed bosses of the planet’s favorite sport.
It’s a little different now. While new manager Luis de la Fuente, 61, could probably walk down Argyle Street without needing to dress up, having previously thrived leading Spain’s age group teams, the team under him doesn’t have the same dynamism than that of La Roja. glory years.
After a punishing World Cup elimination to Morocco, they are a footballing nation looking for a new way forward.
De la Fuente’s selection demonstrated this. He made no fewer than eight changes since Saturday’s 3-0 win over Norway, which could be read as dissatisfaction with that performance, an acknowledgment that Scotland somehow presented a very different challenge, or a sign of a manager willing to Experiment to find the correct formula. .
None of the above should detract from Scotland’s achievement. In the least. There is still plenty of Spanish talent to turn to.
Joselu tested Angus Gunn and then dropped to the ground in an attempt to win a penalty. As a breathless first half progressed, Gunn also had to grab a shot from Pedro Porro.
Angus Gunn was forced to make some good saves as Scotland held on for victory.
Pedro Porro was at fault for Scotland’s first goal and was replaced by Dani Carvajal at halftime
The Spanish right-back, currently on loan at Tottenham, was the villain of the piece. For both sides.
Having slipped in the build-up to McTominay’s opener, Porro took every opportunity to reacquaint himself with the Hampden turf. Andy Robertson was a fool when he turned his back but oh my gosh, Porro milked the incident in an attempt to turn a yellow card into a red.
The boos followed him from then on, at least until he was hooked by Dani Carvajal from Real Madrid at halftime. At this point, the fear was that the Spanish force at depth would prove critical.
It turned out weaker than the Scottish strength of character. With a strike from his left boot, McTominay’s second goal sealed his indelible place in the Tartan Army’s collective memory.