GLASGOW: Scotland took an important steo leap in their bid to reach consecutive European Championships by defeating Spain 2-0.

Scott McTominay crashed in a deflected opener after just seven minutes at Hampden Park. Manager Steve Clarke’s team then rode their luck to stay ahead at the break, only for McTominay to repeat his earlier feat just after the restart.

Scotland, in their first competitive victory over Spain for 39 years, now top Group A – three points above the Spaniards and five in front of a stuttering Norway.

From the seventh minute, Scotland were on the march. Pedro Porro, Spurs’ beleaguered full-back, slipped, leaving the door open for Andy Robertson to pounce. His cut back was perfect for McTominay, whose low rifled shot whizzed off the sprawling Inigo Martinez and into the net.

If that was met with hysteria, you could have heard a pin drop when Scotland’s new hero struck again on the 51st minute.

This time it was Kieran Tierney’s cross after a marauding run that the Spaniards didn’t deal with. Fifty thousand held their collective breath as the leather of McTominay’s boot struck on the half volley.

Bedlam ensued in the stands, while Clarke allowed himself a modest fist pump in a fleeting glimpse of emotion.

In truth, it was a killer blow that caused Spain – who made eight changes from the side which overcame Norway 3-0 on Saturday – to capitulate. Passes all over the place, 50/50s lost.

They were a shadow of the team that had the Scots clinging to a half-time lead and suffered a second defeat in 39 European Championship qualifiers.

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