Steve Clarke insists Scotland simply have to move on after Scott McTominay had a goal chalked off after a VAR check before losing 2-0 to Spain in Seville.
The Scots had won their first five Group A qualifiers including a 2-0 win over the Spanish at Hampden Park in March, and they thought they had taken the lead when McTominay, who scored twice in Glasgow, fired in a wonderful free-kick in the 59th minute only to see it ruled out after a VAR check for a Jack Hendry infringement.
Alvaro Morata headed in after 73 minutes and substitute Oihan Sancet, making his debut, added a second in the 86th minute to leave Group A leaders Scotland three points ahead of Spain having played a game more.
🗣️ "A performance we can be proud of."
Despite a difficult final result, Ryan Christie reflects on the positives from this evening, and looks ahead to our remaining matches.#ESPSCO pic.twitter.com/I66JXsy6Lk
— Scotland National Team (@ScotlandNT) October 12, 2023
Clarke’s men face France in a friendly in Lille next Tuesday but Spain face Norway in Oslo two days earlier and if the Norwegians drop points, Scotland’s place in Germany will be secured while the Scots also have Georgia away and Norway at home in November.
“The team played well and the players are disappointed,” said Clarke, who confirmed skipper Andy Robertson will go back to Liverpool for treatment with a shoulder injury which saw him replaced by Nathan Patterson just before the break.
“We came here determined to qualify. It hasn’t happened tonight but I think there was a lot to be pleased about in the performance.
“The big moment in the game is probably the close decision on the Scott McTominay goal.
“At the time we think it is a goal.
“You know when the referee gets told to look at it he is probably going to chalk it off.
“They have made the call, there is no point me going on about it.
“I think there was a little bit confusion at the time, whether it was offside or for a foul on the keeper.
“If you take those two together, Jack Hendry was marginally offside and when he steps towards the goalkeeper they have interpreted that as Jack being involved in the play but I will tell you now there is now way in the world the keeper was saving that no matter where Jack Hendry was.
“You just move on, it is a VAR decision that goes against you.
“When we conceded it makes it more difficult and the second goal puts gloss on for Spain I don’t think they deserve.
“Tonight was a first chance to qualify. It has gone beyond us. Maybe the result on Sunday night goes in our favour and we qualify from that. But we won’t qualify from that, we will qualify for the work we have done, we have 15 points from six games.
“If the result doesn’t go our way and Norway then we have a very realistic chance in the two games in November to win the section.”
Spain boss Luis de la Fuente, speaking through an interpreter, was pleased with his side’s team spirit.
He said: “We knew they were a strong team and strong from set-pieces and free-kicks, and that free-kick, I was told it was offside and a foul on Unai Simon. We thought it was offside but in the end it was offside.
“Opponents always get chances we were prepared and very strong mentally.
“Even if the goal had stood I am convinced we would have reacted.
“It was a team effort and I value the hard work of the team because a game lasts 90 minutes and more.”
“Norway, will be different, a different team to Scotland. We will try to take initiative and cause them problems and minimise their offensive potential.”
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Let's see at the statistics of the 4 Lords. And Man City are back. PSG are reportedly helping save Lyon from RELEGATION to Ligue 2! PALMEIRAS BEAT BOTAFOGO IN EXTRA TIME TO REACH THE LAST EIGHT OF THE CLUB WORLD CUP Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami have The HARDEST ROUTE to The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup FINAL! It took a long delay and extra time, but Chel...
Williams demands guarantee from Barca amid fears of Olmo situationAccording to Marca, Nico Williams has reportedly informed Athletic Club through his agent that he wants to don the Barcelona shirt from next season and is close to signing a six-year contract. However, the player reportedly wants a guarantee from Barca that they will be able to register him with La Liga after triggering his release ...
ATLANTA -- Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique warned his players against ignoring the offensive threats of Inter Miami in Sunday's Club World Cup round-of-16 match, emphasizing the damage that can be done by experienced stars Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets."Anyone who relaxes for 10 seconds in football already knows where they are. It's not like there's no dou...
Arsenal finished second in the Premier League for a third successive season in 2024-25 – but the fact that Liverpool leapfrogged them was undoubtedly frustrating.In 2022-23, the Gunners were runners-up with 84 points, five points behind champions Manchester City. A year later, they improved to 89 points, closing the gap to Pep Guardiola's side to two points.The 2024-25 campaign looked like t...
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim is reportedly keen to bring in his former colleague Acacio Valentim as part of a coaching reshuffle.The Portuguese boss is eager to avoid another disappointing season following a wretched first year in charge. In his debut season, Amorim led the Red Devils to a 14th place finish in the Premier League and suffered defeat in the Europa League final against Spur...
Cristiano Ronaldo to join up with Portuguese boss at Al-NassrAl-Nassr have reached an agreement with veteran Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus and look set to announce him as their new manager.The Saudi Pro League club have been looking for a new manager following Stefano Pioli’s decision to step down and return to Italy with Fiorentina.Jesus, 70, who left Al-Hilal at the end of the 2024-25 campa...
Raphinha keen to see Nico Williams at BarcelonaBarcelona winger Raphinha was full of praise for reported target Nico Williams as the club step up their pursuit of the Spain international.Barcelona are working tirelessly to bring the 22-year-old to the Camo Nou having been heavily linked with him for the past two years.Williams is understood to be keen on the move but his current club, Athletic, ar...
Alexander-Arnold: Real Madrid won't take Juventus lightlyTrent Alexander-Arnold says Real Madrid players are determined to win the Club World Cup.Real will meet Juventus in the tournament's round of 16 this weekend.New fullback signing Alexander-Arnold declared: "Both are very good teams (City and Juve), not least because they made it through the group stage."It's always going to be tough, no matt...
Pogba drops fresh Monaco move teaser onlinePaul Pogba has hinted he's set to undergo his medical with AS Monaco.The France international is due to sign for Monaco as a free agent after he passes his medical tests in the Principality.Pogba has dropped a hint on social media about his activities amid reports that he is due in France this weekend to complete his return to football.Pogba posted a self...
Raphinha happy to see Barcelona miss out on FIFA Club World CupBarcelona ace Raphinha has criticised the sheer number of game top clubs are having to play as the FIFA Club World Cup reaches the latter stages.Barcelona missed out on a place in the FIFA Club World Cup due to their poor performances in recent Champions League campaign.Raphinha doesn’t appear to be too bothered, however, hitting...
- 1 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 2 Club World Cup 2025: Benfica v Chelsea predictions, best bets and odds
- 3 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 4 Arsenal interested in signing Cristhian Mosquera
- 5 Wayne Rooney gets Erling Haaland ponytail in shock new look
- 6 Arsenal have little chance of Liverpool target
- 7 Man United close in on Bryan Mbeumo
- 8 Chelsea transfer at 'final stages'
- 9 Man Utd close in on Bryan Mbeumo! Red Devils agree £60m+ fee with Brentford as Premier League rivals iron out final transfer details
- 10 Salzburg vs Real Madrid Prediction 27 June 2025