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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Mark Walker

Spain captain confident they will overhaul Scotland in group

Cocky Spain captain and hat-trick hero Alvaro Morata insists they will still overhaul runaway group leaders Scotland and predicted they could struggle again in Georgia.

Spain romped to a 7-1 hammering of the Georgians in Tbilisi before the Scots cruised to a comfortable 3-0 win in Cyprus.

Scotland remains nine points ahead of Spain although the former World and European champions have two games in hand and still have to host the Scots in Seville next month as the nations battle it out to see who tops the group.

And Atletico Madrid striker Morata - who helped himself to three goals against the Georgians - reckons Scotland could yet fund it tough again in Tbilisi after previously losing there twice.

The former Real Madrid, Chelsea and Juventus star said: "It was a very dangerous place for us to go.

"It was a game that was pivotal to the standings in the group table.

"Teams in this group, including Scotland who are top of the table, have still to go here and may have trouble because it wasn't easy despite the scoreline.

"I believe we could beat anyone playing like that though.

"When you have great players in your team who provide chances for me, it's very easy to score goals. We are all in a very good place after a win like that."

And Spain boss Luis de la Fuente was delighted his players shrugged off their off-field problems to produce such a performance.

Spain's camp have been dogged all week with the fall-out of Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales' actions during the Women's World Cup, with players having to comment on it and de la Fuente himself coming under fire too.

But he said: "I have to praise this group of players who were able to produce a performance like that despite all the distractions this week.

"I only care about what I can control. I am in charge of motivating the players and giving them the necessary tools to play well and win, which they certainly did.

"I feel strong because of the support of the players.”

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