McTominay at the double again, Scotland beat Spain 2-0
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Scott McTominay has continued his good scoring form for Scotland, netting twice for the second straight game to give the hosts a surprise 2-0 win over Spain in qualifying for the 2024 European Championship.
The Manchester United midfielder found the net once in each half to hand Spain their first European qualifying loss since 2014.
The result also extended Scotland’s unbeaten streak in European qualifying to seven games and handed them the early lead in Group A with six points from two matches – three more than second-placed Spain.
Spain had not been beaten in Euro qualifying since a 2-1 defeat in Slovakia ahead of the 2016 tournament in France. They had won 34 of their last 38 European qualifying matches, with three draws.
The result was an eighth win in 10 home matches for Scotland, who were spearheaded by Queensland-born QPR striker Lyndon Dykes.
After opening qualifying with a 3-0 win over Norway, Spain dominated possession but did not threaten much at Glasgow’s Hampden Park.
McTominay opened the scoring in the seventh minute with a shot from inside the area after Spain right back Pedro Porro slipped and lost possession just outside the box.
The Manchester United midfielder sealed the victory with a volley after Spain failed to clear a cross.
McTominay had not started in Scotland’s 3-0 win over Cyprus on Saturday but came off the bench to score two late goals.
“We did really, really well,” McTominay told broadcaster Viaplay.
“The manager said this is our chance to create legacies as Scotland players and these are the nights in 20, 30 years that people remember.”
In Group A’s other match, Norway drew 1-1 at Georgia.
In Group D, Wales beat lowly Latvia to remain unbeaten after two matches.
Kieffer Moore scored the only goal of the game as they took their points tally to four following their weekend draw in Croatia.
They lie second behind the Croatians, who won 2-0 in Turkey thanks to a double from Mateo Kovacic.
Switzerland top Group I on goal difference courtesy of a comfortable 3-0 win over Israel, while Romania are second after beating Belarus 2-1 to maintain their own 100 per cent record.
Kosovo remain unbeaten in third after a 1-1 draw with Andorra.
Euro 2024 hosts Germany lost 3-2 at home to Belgium in a friendly.
The Belgians were 2-0 up within 10 minutes – through Yannick Carrasco and Romelu Lukaku – before Niclas Fullkrug pulled one back for the hosts from the penalty spot shortly before halftime.
Kevin De Bruyne restored Belgium’s two-goal advantage on 78 minutes, with Serge Gnabry netting a late consolation for Germany.
– with Reuters
AP
