Spain's 2-0 Win Puts Scotland's Finals Hope at Risk

 Spain's 2-0 Win Puts Scotland's Finals Hope at Risk

Spain's Alvaro Morata celebrates with Gavi as he scores to make it 1-0 during a UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifier at the Estadio De La Cartuja, on October 12, 2023, in Seville, Spain.(Image-Getty)

Alvaro Morata and Oihan Sancet both found the net in the second half, securing a 2-0 win for Spain against Scotland in their Group A clash during Euro 2024. The triumph halted Scotland's momentum, leaving them eager to secure a place in the finals.

Scotland currently leads the group with 15 points from six matches, having suffered their first defeat in the campaign. Spain follows closely with 12 points from five games, while Norway holds 10 points from six matches. Scotland's path to qualification hinges on Norway's performance in their upcoming match against Spain on Sunday.

Spain's victory marked their 25th consecutive win in home Euro qualifiers since 2003. Despite their persistent efforts, Scotland's resilient defense frustrated Spain for the majority of the game. The early departure of captain Andy Robertson due to injury further compounded Scotland's challenges.

Scott McTominay's goal was disallowed for offside, a decision that left Scotland feeling hard done by, as they believed several crucial decisions went against them. John McGinn expressed his disappointment with the match's turning points and the perceived 50/50 decisions that did not go their way.

Ferran Torres missed an early chance for Spain, while Mikel Merino's attempt hit the post. However, Spain eventually capitalized on their dominance as Morata headed home a cross from Jesus Navas, with Sancet sealing the victory following a defensive slip by Aaron Hickey.

Despite the challenging match, Morata acknowledged Scotland's strong defensive display and acknowledged their potential as a formidable team, particularly on the counter-attack.

In other Euro 2024 group matches, Norway secured a comfortable 4-0 win against Cyprus, while Turkey triumphed 1-0 over Croatia. Albania also continued their surprising campaign with a 3-1 victory over 10-man Czech Republic, positioning themselves at the top of Group E. Finally, Poland secured a 2-0 victory against the Faroe Islands, maintaining their second-place standing in the group.