Scotland 2 Spain 3:DAVID VILLA made history for Spain last night as his first-half penalty took his Spanish total to 45 and surpass Raul.
What followed was almost the stuff of Scottish legend. Craig Levein’s men trailed by two goals to the World Cup winners when Andres Iniesta doubled their lead; Steven Naismith’s header and an own goal from Gerard Pique restored parity. With 11 minutes left Spain substitute Fernando Llorente evaded the Scottish defence to notch the winner.
The Scotland campaign to qualify for Euro 2012 already looks troubled.
Alan Hutton’s failure to recover from a groin problem meant Levein handed a first Scotland appearance to the Manchester-born Phil Bardsley. The full back needed to think no further than baptism of fire. Villa split the Scottish central defence after 12 minutes, the Barcelona man volleying over in a moment. David Silva was next to threaten, Allan McGregor saving well with his feet.
James Morrison passed up a fine chance when collecting a cut-back from Darren Fletcher, with Gerard Pique saving the prostate Iker Casillas by blocking four yards from goal. McGregor demonstrated his own increasing value on the half hour, blocking smartly from the clearly motivated Villa.
McGregor got a hand to the goal which sent Villa into the record books, but he hadn’t been helped by the actions of Steven Whittaker. Scotland’s left-back blocked a Sergio Ramos half-volley with an arm, prompting the spot-kick.
Iniesta’s intervention looked like being definitive. The midfielder pounced after Stephen McManus could only block a Santiago Cazorla shot back into his path. Iniesta slotted calmly beyond McGregor to silence Hampden.
Naismith marked his first international goal with a superb diving header after Miller picked him out with a cross from the right flank.
Morrison played a ball into the Spanish penalty area which the centre-half could only turn beyond Casillas. If Scotland harboured genuine hopes of glory, Llorente put paid to that. The striker met Joan Capdevila’s cross within three minutes of entering the fray.
Whittaker’s night was made worse by a second booking, collected for a lunge on Ramos.
- Guardian Service
SCOTLAND:McGregor, Bardsley, McManus, Weir, Whittaker, Dorrans (Mackie 81), Darren Fletcher, McCulloch (Adam 46), Morrison (Maloney 87), Naismith, Miller. Subs not used: Gordon, Caldwell, Berra, Steven Fletcher. Sent Off: Whittaker (89). Booked: Whittaker, Miller.
SPAIN:Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Puyol, Pique, Capdevila, Busquets (Marchena 90), Alonso, Iniesta, Santi Cazorla (Xavi 70), Villa, Silva (Llorente 76). Subs not used: Valdes, Monreal, Arbeloa, Bruno.
Referee:M Busacca (Switzerland).
Villa 44 pen, Iniesta 55, Florente 79
Naismith 58
Pique 66 og
