Scotland v Spain preview: Clarke's men target strong result
A far sterner test now presents itself for the Scots, with three-time European champions and #10 ranked Spain next to try and end their unbeaten competitive run (W4, D1).
Scotland would like to think that despite the 32-place gulf between the sides, a seven-match winning run in major tournament qualification matches (excluding play-offs) is evidence that they can rub shoulders with the best.
There’ll have to be marked improvement on the Cyprus performance to extend that winning run, as boss Steve Clarke noted in the aftermath of Saturday’s win, but it does seem unlikely given Scotland’s last win against a team currently ranked in FIFA’s top-ten came back in October 2013.
There was a similar lethargy in Spain’s opening day victory over Norway, scoring early before two late goals rounded off a 3-0 victory. Like his Scottish counterpart, Spain boss Luis de la Fuente has also called on his side to “improve” ahead of a first H2H clash since October 2011, a game won by the Spanish as part of a five-match unbeaten H2H run (W3, D2).
Spain look well placed to add to that here, as only once in 18 away Euros qualifiers have they tasted defeat (W14, D3), though the fact they’ve conceded exactly once in the last four of those does show they have some vulnerability about them.
However, the fact Spain scored in each of those 18 games shows they have the firepower to offset that leaky defence as they seek an eighth-straight Euros finals appearance.
Players to watch: John McGinn kick-started Scotland’s scoring against Cyprus and he has interestingly opened or closed the scoring in all five of his Euro qualification scoring appearances. Joselu was at the double in Spain’s opener, becoming the oldest player to score on his Spain debut since 2006.
Hot streak: Spain’s last six European Championship qualifiers have witnessed scoring after the 80th minute.
