Scotland’s bid to reach Euro 2024 was agonisingly prolonged after suffering their first defeat of the campaign on a frustrating night in Spain.
Needing a point to reach consecutive European Championships, a combination of steely focus, last-ditch blocks and some Spanish profligacy was eventually cancelled out by Alvaro Morata’s ghosting run and header deep into the second half.
Just minutes earlier Scott McTominay triggered revelry among the Scots as he lashed a wonderous free-kick past Unai Simon, only for the goal to be ruled out after a VAR review.
Scotland’s anguish would be compounded in the closing moments as Spain grabbed a second via a Ryan Porteous own goal.
Scotland, who lost captain Andy Robertson to injury in the first half, sit top of Group A, three points above their hosts, and can still qualify for Euro 2024 on Sunday if Norway fail to beat the in-form Spanish.
Or, if needed, they can get the job done next month when they travel to Georgia for their penultimate game.
Scotland left the pitch to a rapturous reception from a huge travelling support here in Spain. This had all the hallmarks of a famous night, only for it to be laced with the harshest of sucker punches.
Scotland’s challenge at the start of the evening? Take a point, or hope Norway would drop the ball in Cyprus. The latter always looked unlikely – so it proved as Norway eased to a 4-0 win – and from kick-off in the sweltering Seville heat, the heft of the task facing the Scots was evident.
Spain are far from the husk of a side who wilted at Hampden. Barcelona’s Ferran Torres steered a shot wide when through on Angus Gunn after just a minute.
A series of corners somehow flew across the Scotland goal, which was starting to lead a charmed life. None more so than when Mikel Merino’s slashed shot hit a post, flew between goalkeeper and line, before spinning out.
The booming gasp which met that Merino chance was loud, but nothing compared to the roar midway through the second half courtesy of McTominay.
On a rare chance for a Scotland shot at goal, the Manchester United midfielder, the thorny thistle in the La Roja side in March, whipped a glorious free-kick high into the far corner from a tight angle.
But jubilation turned to jaw-smacking agony as VAR intervened and the goal was ruled out, initially, it seemed, for a foul by Jack Hendry on the goalkeeper.
That was what the flashed up on the screens in the stadium, but Uefa later said it was because Hendry was offside and interfering with play.
Confusion reigned and the debate about that whole process will linger unless and until Scotland have booked their place in Germany.
It changed the game, and on 73 minutes Morata’s drifting run pierced the Scotland defence, leaving Gunn helpless.
Substitute Che Adams prodded at Simon when he should have done better late on, and that profligacy was punished as Porteous took the ball into the net after an Aaron Hickey slip caused panic at the back.
Scotland are far from done in this run, but this one will sting for some time.
Player of the match – Scott McTominay
![Scott McTominay](https://i0.wp.com/ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/624/cpsprodpb/16170/production/_131408409_20882640.jpg?ssl=1)
Brutal ending for battling Scotland – analysis
Scotland did everything that was asked of them in Spain, although that will be little consolation as the attention now turns to Norway hosting Spain.
It was a bruising night. Firstly losing Robertson after being clattered by Simon, then the nature of Scotland’s goal being disallowed. Furious debate raged after the game, but regardless of the rights or wrongs, it triggered a brutal ending.
It came at a point when you just thought Scotland had weathered the worst of the Spain storm, only for Morata to show nous and spark which had gone unrewarded up to the point he nodded Spain in front.
Scotland have two games left to get over the line. Let’s hope they don’t need them.
What’s next?
Scotland travel to France for a friendly on Tuesday (20:00 BST), but all eyes will be on Norway v Spain on Sunday in Oslo.
Line-ups
Spain
Formation 4-3-3
23SimónBooked at 61mins20CarvajalBooked at 59minsSubstituted forNavasat 67′minutes5Le Normand14LaporteBooked at 90mins3BaldeSubstituted forGarcíaat 45′minutes9Gavi16Rodri6MerinoBooked at 45minsSubstituted forSancetat 67′minutes11F Torres7MorataSubstituted forJoseluat 85′minutes21OyarzabalSubstituted forZaragozaat 45′minutes
Substitutes
1Arrizabalaga Revuelta2Sancet4P Torres8Ruiz10Zaragoza12Joselu13Raya15García17Ansu Fati18Zubimendi19García22Navas
Scotland
Formation 5-4-1
1Gunn2Hickey15PorteousSubstituted forGilmourat 87′minutes13HendryBooked at 84mins16McKenna3RobertsonSubstituted forPattersonat 44′minutesBooked at 51mins7McGinn4McTominay8McGregorSubstituted forMcLeanat 87′minutes11ChristieSubstituted forS Armstrongat 79′minutes9DykesBooked at 36minsSubstituted forAdamsat 79′minutes
Substitutes
5Souttar6Cooper10Adams12Kelly14Gilmour17S Armstrong18Brown19Ferguson20Taylor21Clark22Patterson23McLean
Referee:Serdar Gözübüyük
Live Text
Match ends, Spain 2, Scotland 0.
Second Half ends, Spain 2, Scotland 0.
Attempt saved. Rodri (Spain) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Aymeric Laporte.
Attempt missed. Ché Adams (Scotland) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Kenny McLean with a headed pass following a set piece situation.
Aymeric Laporte (Spain) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Foul by Aymeric Laporte (Spain).
Scott McTominay (Scotland) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Stuart Armstrong (Scotland) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Oihan Sancet (Spain).
Kenny McLean (Scotland) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution, Scotland. Kenny McLean replaces Callum McGregor.
Substitution, Scotland. Billy Gilmour replaces Ryan Porteous.
Goal! Spain 2, Scotland 0. Oihan Sancet (Spain) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner.
Attempt blocked. Oihan Sancet (Spain) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Joselu.
Attempt blocked. Joselu (Spain) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked.
Substitution, Spain. Joselu replaces Álvaro Morata.
Jack Hendry (Scotland) is shown the yellow card.
Attempt blocked. Stuart Armstrong (Scotland) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
Corner, Scotland. Conceded by Gavi.