Scotland secured a memorable 2-0 victory over Spain on the road to Euro 2024 as Luis de la Fuente was condemned to defeat in his first away match in charge of La Roja.
A brace from Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay was enough to see the home team emerge victorious courtesy of early goals in each half at Hampden Park.
De la Fuente made eight changes to the Spain team who beat Norway in Malaga on Saturday, with Scotland coach Steve Clarke fielding his strongest possible line-up.
First blood
Spain were stunned after only six minutes as it was McTominay who broke the deadlock with a low shot in the box.
Liverpool’s Andrew Robertson pressed Pedro Porro high and won possession on the edge of the box, leaving Spain vulnerable as he cut back.
McTominay‘s shot was not the most powerful but found its way into the back of the net as it squirmed through Kepa’s arms, with the Chelsea goalkeeper unable to repeat the clean sheet he kept against Norway on Saturday night.
McTominay struck again
Early in the second half, Scotland again started the brighter of the two teams, with no problem absorbing Spain’s dominance of possession.
Again six minutes into the second half, Spain failed to clear a cross into the box and as it dropped it fell to McTominay who was running from deep.
This time, his effort was a powerful shot into the bottom corner which left Kepa with no chance of denying the midfielder.
Scotland go top
Spain threw everything at Scotland, but much like against Morocco in the Qatar 2022 World Cup, their possession counted for little and they could not find a way through.
Iago Aspas was introduced but preceded to miss arguably Spain’s best chance as the ball fell to him in the box.
The 2-0 final score means that Scotland are the surprise group leaders on six points in the hunt for qualification for Euro 2024 in Germany.
Spain sit behind them on three points, with Norway and Georgia in third and fourth after drawing.