Scotland will have to wait to qualify for Euro 2024 after falling to a battling 2-0 defeat to Spain.
The Tartan Army arrived in Seville knowing that a point would be enough to secure qualification for Euro 2024 in Germany next summer and they thought they were on for all three when Scott McTominay had the ball in the net from a stunning free kick, but VAR was to controversially rule it out.
Minutes later the visitor’s hearts were broken when Alvaro Morata glanced a diving header home before a Ryan Porteous own goal wiped out Scotland’s head-to-head advantage in Group A with their hosts and left them waiting for another single point to qualify.
Spain were a side intent on avenging a 2-0 loss to Steve Clarke’s men back in March and Ferran Torres passed up an early opportunity to strike a blow to the visitors hopes of sealing a Euros spot on the night.
The group leaders’ defence seemed camped out in there own box for large parts of the first half as they refused to give up that vital point.
It was then Mikel Merino’s turn to come closest for Spain just after the half hour mark, as the midfielder struck the inside of the post before the ball rolled agonizingly along Angus Gunn’s goal line.
Captain for evening Alvaro Morata had the ball in the net for the hosts seven minutes before the break, before a narrow offside decision cut the celebrations short.
Scotland were dealt a major injury blow minutes before half time when captain Andy Robertson was forced off with a shoulder injury.
The Liverpool man was replaced by fellow Merseyside full back Nathan Patterson but the discomfort he displayed leaving the park won’t make for pleasant viewing for his manager.
Eight minutes into the second period and Scotland almost found an opening to take a surprise lead. Ryan Christie had a quick ball fired towards him in the Spain area but was unable to control the pass allowing Unai Simon to gather.
Scotland then looked to continue their miraculous winning run in Group A when Scott McTominay had the ball the net from a stunning free kick effort.
VAR was to break Scottish hearts however as the goal was chalked off as Jack Hendry appeared to be offisde.
Scotland’s heartbreak was compounded 15 minutes from time when they fell behind to an Alvaro Morata header. The Atletico Madrid forward latched on to a Jesus Navas cross, before dispatching his 34th international goal with a glancing diving header beyond the helpless Gunn.
Substitute Che Adams was presented with a golden opportunity moments after coming on but the Southampton man couldn’t get enough on Aaron Hickey’s cross despite being just yards from goal.
The result was then all but sealed when Spain doubled their lead on 86 minutes. Hickey’s unfortunate slip allowed Ferran Torres to fire in a dangerous cross which appeared to be turned into his own net by Ryan Porteous.
Scotland’s wait for qualification goes on as their 100% comes to an end but there will be ample opportunity for Steve Clarke’s side to seal a spot in Germany in the coming months.
