Scotland stun Spain in Euro 2024 qualifier

ANDY BUCHANAN/ AFP

Scotland defeated Spain 2-0 in their Euro 2024 qualifier at Hampden Park on Tuesday and maintain their perfect start to the campaign.

Scott McTominay scored both goals as new Spain coach Luis de la Fuente made eight changes from the side that beat Norway 3-0 in Malaga at the weekend.

The win was a first for the Scots over their Iberian opponents since 1984 and ensured they top Group A on six points from two games, while second-placed Spain have three.

It was a first defeat for Spain in a Euro qualifier since a loss in Slovakia in 2014 and they had won 17 of their 19 fixtures since then.

McTominay profited from a Pedro Porro slip to score his first goal, as Andy Robertson picked up possession in the box and played the ball into his path, and then got on the end of an excellent run and cross from Kieran Tierney for number two.

De la Fuente handed a first start to 33-year-old striker Joselu and he hit the crossbar with a header midway through the opening period on a frustrating night for the visitors when tempers at times threatened to boil over.

Scotland might have had a third goal had Lyndon Dykes not scooped his shot over the bar with just goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga to beat.

Ryan Christie also fired wide when well placed in the first half.

Third-placed Norway drew 1-1 away to Georgia, who were playing their opener, in Tuesday's other Group A game, with both teams on one point ahead of Cyprus who have no points.

In Group D, Croatia midfielder Mateo Kovacic's double secured a 2-0 win away to Turkey as they leapfrogged the hosts and moved up to second spot.

Wales, who beat Latvia 1-0, lead the group on four points on goal difference from Croatia with Turkey third with three.

Elsewhere, Switzerland continued their convincing start to the qualifiers with a 3-0 home win over Israel on the back of a 5-0 success away against Belarus at the weekend.

Ruben Vargas put them 1-0 ahead at halftime and Zeki Amdouni and Silvan Widmer added two more goals soon after the break at the Geneva Stadium for a six-point haul from their opening two games in Group I.

Romania beat Belarus 2-1, while Kosovo was held to a 1-1 draw by Andorra.

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