Scotland scalped Spain and blew the roof off Hampden as two Scott McTominay goals cemented a momentous night in Mount Florida and fired Steve Clarke’s heroes top of Group A.
On a night to rival some of the most famous victories the old ground has ever witnessed, Steve Clarke secured the biggest home win of his four year tenure. McTominay incredibly made it four goals in two games having only scored one in his previous 37 caps to stun the Spaniards who had arrived in Glasgow as odds-on favourites and group leaders. But they were sent home with zero to show for their efforts as Scotland emptied the tank for victory.
Clarke’s troops started like a side hungry for a statement victory. And they were ahead after seven minutes. Robertson’s pressure forced Spurs’ Pedro Porro into a slip and the skipper needed no second invite to nick the ball and cut back perfectly for McTominay to side foot home past Kepa from 10 yards.
It was a dream start and Ryan Christie was inches away from making it even better when his impressive charge from near halfway ended with a toe poke from the edge of the box that shaved the post. The Spanish defence parted like the Red Sea to open the door for the Bournemouth man and the omens looked good for Clarke’s side.
Angus Gunn was called into action after 20 minutes to make a comfortable save from a Joselu header. And the towering Espanyol striker, who hit a double off the bench on Saturday, was inches away after 24 when his header cannoned back off the bar.
The Scots escaped an even bigger scare when Porro collapsed under a Robertson challenge with the ball already clear moments later. TV replays showed the skipper catching the Spaniard on the jaw with his shoulder. The booking was right. But some refs might have been convinced to show red.
Spain had upped the ante. Porro stung Gunn’s with a thundering 25 yard effort and from the corner Yeremy Pino’s half volley was just too high. Scotland were struggling, the early possession had been replaced with a clear the lines desperation that kept missing out Callum McGregor and McTominay and handing the ball back to the visitors.
But right on half time Dykes should have made it 2-0. Robertson’s long clearance was read by the QPR hitman who got in behind David Garcia but almost had too much time as he bore down on Kepa and clipped his shot over the bar.
Scotland needed a second. And that man McTominay duly delivered six minutes after the interval. Kieran Tierney did the legwork as he charged down the left flank, brushed off the attention of Real Madrid’s Dani Carvajal and delivered a cross that was half cleared by Garcia right into the path of McTominay who drilled a low left footer past Kepa.
Hampden absolutely erupted. Hope was well and truly replaced by belief. Spain were rattled. John McGinn cracked the bar with an inswinging free kick as Scotland looked to put the game to bed before the hour mark.
Spain predictably took over. The possession ratio ticked to 75 per cent in their favour in the closing stages. But the dark blue line threw themselves at every cross and shot And sub Lawrence Shankland almost put the icing on the cake when he latched onto Callum McGregor’s inch perfect pass but saw his shot smothered by Kepa.
5 talking points
Hampden Hall of Fame
Hang this evening in the Hampden museum alongside some of the biggest victories Scotland have produced at home. Too often in recent years the Tartan Army have turned up expectant only to be let down when the pressure told. Not this time. The heroes on the park were matched by the troops in the stands on an evening that is further proof the Steve Clarke era has brought the passion back. Hampden has its detractors and it's not perfect. But when the big boys come to town and there’s something at stake then old lady of Mount Florida still knows how to produce. Forget boogie it was bedlam for a while. The type of support that could carry Scotland all the way to Germany.
Scott the lot
Scott McTominay has sensationally gone from one international goal in 37 games to five in 39 after his late double against Cyprus was followed up with a stunning double here. Watch out John McGinn. Back in from the start the Manchester United ace must be pinching himself after his biggest night in dark blue. Not only did he show his new-found threat arriving late in the box but he did his defensive duties brilliantly to win the Manchester derby rivalry with Spain skipper Pedri. His energy and legs in the middle of the park proved he should now be a fixture in Clarke’s middle three.
Extra levels
Despite the early goals in both halves Scotland, predictably, had to spend much of the game on the back foot here. In the end it didn’t matter a jot. Not when Clarke’s players are willing to completely empty the tank and put their body on the line for their country. The back line stood firm under a barrage of crosses, McTominay and McGregor worked their socks off to deny Rodri and Mikel Merino space in the middle, Dykes, McGinn and Christie chased down everything that moved in red while the big QPR frontman provided the key outball when required. Not a failure in dark blue.
Captain Marvel
Andy Robertson got a fright midway through the first half when he escaped with a booking after catching Porro on the jaw with his shoulder. But the skipper led by example and showed exactly why he’s such a big player for Liverpool in the Premier League. His pressure to win the ball and deliver the assist for McTominay’s opener was superb. Defended superbly against Villareal schemer Yeremy Pino and in the second half Atletico ace Nico Williams and kept the line tight.
Sizzling Spaniards doused
Luis de la Fuente tore up his starting XI from Saturday’s win over Norway with just three survivors. The household names might be in short supply these days but there’s a new generation of star in the Spain ranks. Man City ace Rodri wearing the captain’s armband and Sociedad’s Mikel Merino pulled the strings for a while and, while he’s the wrong side of 30 big Joselu was more than a handful for the Scots defence. Barca wonderkid Gavi came off the bench along with Atletico’s Nico Williams. But while tidy on the ball the tika taka class failed to breach the Scots’ backline. The personnel may have changed but one aspect that’s not is the Spaniards’ love of hitting the deck. An irritating trait that could have been problematic but for strong refereeing.
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