SCOTLAND 2 SPAIN 0
SUPER Scott McTominay was the two-goal hero for Scotland for the second game in a row at a pulsating Hampden tonight.
Steve Clarke’s side overcame the much-fancied Spanish to top their section with a maximum six points.
McTominay thumped in a late double in the 3-0 opening-day win over Cyprus on Saturday and the towering Manchester United star repeated the feat in a memorable encounter at the national stadium.
He flashed in the first early on and added another shortly after the break to send the Scots soaring – and the Spaniards spiralling to defeat.
It was seventh-minute heaven in Mount Florida when the Scots swept into the advantage when Pedro Porro slipped while going for a Ryan Christie pass on the left and Andy Robertson swooped onto the Spaniard’s misfortune.
The skipper knocked a perfect ball to McTominay who first-timed a 12-yard drive low past helpless keeper Kepa.
SUPERMAC…Scotland midfielder Scott McTominay fires the Scots into the lead against Spain.
In the 15th minute, Christie came so close to doubling the hosts’ lead when Christie surged through from midfield with options to his right and left.
The former Celtic midfielder carried the ball into the box as the defenders backed off and he whipped in a low effort which left Kepa stranded, but zipped just wide of the left-hand post.
Spain came so close to equalising in the 23rd minute when Joselu rose to a cross from the right to bullet a six-yard header over Angus Gunn, but the ball thudded against the crossbar and the Scots survived.
The visitors incurred the wrath of the 52,000 fans with their antics as they flopped over at every opportunity. It was mainly embarrassing, but Robertson copped a yellow card for a pathetic dive from Porro.
Juselu went down dramatically in the box after a challenge from Grant Hanley. It was an outrageous attempt to win a penalty-kick which was ignored by the referee.
With VAR around, it was fortunate for the big striker that he was not booked for obvious simulation.
Chants of “cheats…cheats” rang around the stadium as the Tartan Army let their feelings known.
TOUCH AND GO…Scotland keeper Angus Gunn is at full stretch as a header from Joselu hits the crossbar.
On the stroke of half-time, Lyndon Dykes was released with a long ball from Kieran Tierney and he shrugged off the attentions of Eric Garcia as he bore down on the unprotected Kepa.
The bustling Queens Park Rangers hitman looked one kick away from a memorable goal, but his final effort carried over the crossbar with the keeper stranded.
Six minutes after the interval, Hampden was rocking again – and once more it was McTominay on the scoresheet to send the fans into ecstasy.
Tierney embarked on a lung-bursting 50-yard run on the left before flashing a cross into the box. Garcia managed to deflect it away from goal, but only as far as the lurking McTominay on the edge of the box.
The Old Trafford ace didn’t hesitate as he struck the ball on the volley and his wicked left-foot drive crashed into the net behind Kepa.
PUSH AND SHOVE…John McGinn battles for possession of the ball.
Six minutes later, the Spanish netminder was scrambling across his line to keep out a John McGinn free-kick delivery from the right that looked to be creeping under the bar.
In the 75th minute, the limping Tierney made way for Liam Cooper while Kenny McLean replaced Christie.
Nathan Patterson and Lewis Ferguson were next to join the action in the 83rd minute as they came on for Aaron Hickey and McGinn who had run himself into the ground.
In the fading moments, Lawrence Shankland was introduced for Dykes.
Celtic skipper Callum McGregor, who had performed with his usual composed authority, went on a mesmersing run as the clock ticked down in stoppage-time, but, unfortunately, his final ball was hacked clear.
It was a fabulous evening at the national stadium and nothing more could be asked of Steve Clarke and his players.
Two wins, five goals scored, none conceded and six points in the bag.
That’ll do for starters!
TEAM: Gunn; Porteous, Hanley, Tierney (sub: Cooper 75); Hickey (sub: Patterson 83), McGregor, McTominay, McGinn (sub: Ferguson 83), Robertson; Christie (sub: McLean 75), Dykes (sub: Shankland 90).
