Scotland record FAMOUS 2-0 win over Spain as Scott McTominay scores twice at Hampden Park, taking his tally to four in just two games, to place Steve Clarke’s side top of the Euro qualifying group .
Here was Pamplona upside down. Spanish bulls on the run, chased from Glasgow by the intrepid locals.
It could well be a charge taking Scotland all the way to Germany for next summer’s European Championship after a famous night in which standout Scott McTominay scored twice.
As for the midfielder, the Manchester United man took his tally to four goals in an hour of international football following his late brace in Saturday’s 3-0 win over Cyprus.
With third-seeded Norway tied at Georgia at teatime, these back-to-back wins have put Steve Clarke’s side firmly in control of Group A.
It’s a trip to Oslo next June, by which time the hosts hope to have Erling Haaland available.
Scott McTominay opened the scoring after seven minutes for his third goal in two games
The Manchester United midfielder then made two just after the break for a fourth in two outings.
McTominay’s goals ensured Scotland sealed a memorable first win over Spain since 1984
That said, he’s not even the best shot in Manchester at the moment – that label belongs to McTominay.
Clarke had told his players on the eve of this game to get rid of their underdog mentality. Turns out they have even more bite when on the prowl like the best dogs.
And so it was that, for the first time since 2006 by defeating France, Scotland brought blood to the nose of what would be considered one of the leading nations in the game, at least in historical terms.
The Spain team sheet used to read like a ‘Who’s who’ of the best footballers in the world. ‘WHO?’ it would be more appropriate with this XI.
Only two of its starters had more than 20 appearances and defenseman David García, at 29, was making his debut. You better appreciate that cap in this evidence, because it was hideous.
The striker Joselu also made his debut as a starter, three days after scoring twice in his international arc.
Rodri’s side lacked clinical touch in attack and struggled to find a way through the banks of the Scottish defence.
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David Garcia won his first cap for Spain on Tuesday night, but had a torrid night in defense
Pedro Porro slipped Hand Robertson a cross chance for the first set and was substituted at halftime
The 33-year-old netted those goals in three minutes which, for supporters of former club Newcastle, would have come as a surprise, given that he scored the same number for the entirety of his last season in 2019.
The point of all that is this: Spain is not the force of yesteryear. In fact, there was nothing forceful about them here.
McTominay had his first after seven minutes, and it was completely in keeping with the early run of the game.
Pedro Porro watched every inch of the Tottenham defender in the moments leading up to goal, sliding to allow Andy Robertson to drop back for McTominay to spin through on a slight deflection.
It should have been two soon after when Ryan Christie ran up the middle and the Spain defenders got away.
Next up for Steve Clarke’s side is a trip to Norway in June, which drew 1-1 with Georgia on Tuesday.
The 26-year-old had only scored once for his country before this month’s international break.
Luis de la Fuente’s men had scoring chances during the game but in the end they ran scared
He only had Kepa Arrizabalaga to beat, but he opened wide. Spain had chances -Joselu headed against the crossbar-, but barely besieged the Scottish goal.
And the result felt as good as sure as McTominay dove in for his second from 10 yards in 51 minutes.
That followed a brilliant drive down the left from Kieran Tierney and, when Garcia could only clear half of the delivery, McTominay pounced.
Spain, at this point, was running scared.