Scott McTominay scored twice as Scotland upset Spain 2-0 in qualifying for the European Championship on Tuesday, its first win in 39 years over one of soccer’s biggest heavyweights.
McTominay’s goals came after he also scored two in a 3-0 win over Cyprus on Saturday and ended Spain’s 19-game unbeaten run in European qualifiers. The result also puts Scotland top of Group A with six points from two games.
Mateo Kovacic also scored twice as Croatia defeated Turkey 2-0 away for its first win in Group D.
Romania and Switzerland both won in Group I, continuing their perfect starts.
A look at the Euro 2024 qualifying games across Europe on Tuesday:
Group A
Spain’s players were warned after McTominay scored two late goals in Scotland’s opening win over Cyprus.
But few expected him to do it again Tuesday against a team that had not lost a European qualifying game since a 2-1 loss to Slovakia ahead of the 2016 tournament. Spain had not lost to Scotland since Maurice Johnston scored two and Kenny Dalglish added another in a 3-1 World Cup qualifier in November, 1984.
New Spain coach Luis de la Fuente made eight changes to the lineup to the team that started Euro 2024 qualifying with a 3-0 win over Norway. Joselu went closest for the visitors when his header hit the crossbar midway through the first half.
Georgia and Norway drew 1-1 in the other group game.
Group D
Croatia was forced to rely on goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic to deny Turkey’s Cengiz Under and Kerem Akturkoglu early on in Bursa.
Kovai opened the scoring from close range in the 20th and nabbed the second just before the break.
Kieffer Moore scored just before halftime for Wales to beat 1-0 in the other group game.
Group I
Switzerland earned a 3-0 win at home over Israel, giving coach Murat Yakin his second qualifying victory from two games after its 5-0 win over Belarus in Serbia on Saturday.
Romania defeated Belarus 2-1 to maintain its winning start, while Kosovo and Andorra drew 1-1.
Belgium beat Germany to pile pressure on Euro 2024 hosts
Kevin De Bruyne steered Belgium to a 3-2 friendly win over Germany in new coach Domenico Tedesco’s return home. De Bruyne set up both opening goals then sealed the victory just as Germany was threatening an equalizer after recovering from a very poor opening half-hour. It gave Tedesco, the former Leipzig and Schalke coach, a second win from his first two games after his team started Euro 2024 qualifying with a 3-0 win in Sweden last week.
Lionesses squad largely unchanged for Brazil, Australia matches
England women’s coach Sarina Wiegman made few changes to her squad for coming games against Brazil and Australia, sticking largely with the team that defended their Arnold Clark Cup in February. Aston Villa goalkeeper Hannah Hampton and Manchester City defender Esme Morgan return to the squad, while uncapped defender Lucy Parker has been recalled, and hopes to make her senior debut after an injury denied her chance in October. Those who played in February but miss out this time include Emily Ramsey, who is injured, plus Lotte Wubben-Moy, Katie Zelem and Ebony Salmon. The Lionesses play Brazil for the inaugural Women’s Finalissima 2023 on April 6 at Wembley Stadium and World Cup host Australia on April 11 at Brentford Community Stadium. England is in Group D of the World Cup with China, Denmark and Haiti.
Julie Ertz returns to U.S. team for two friendlies with Ireland
Julie Ertz has been named to the U.S. roster for a pair of coming matches against Ireland after taking time off for the birth of her son. Ertz has not played for the United States since the bronze medal-winning victory over Australia at the Tokyo Olympics. She and husband Zach Ertz, who plays for the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals, welcomed son Madden last August. Ertz was among 26 players named to the roster announced Tuesday by coach Vlatko Andonovski. The United States first plays Ireland on April 7 in Austin, Tex., before the second match on April 11 in St. Louis. They are the last international games for the United States before Andonovski selects a 23-player roster for the World Cup this summer in Australia and New Zealand. Also returning is defender Casey Krueger, who plays for the Chicago Red Stars. She took time off for the birth of her son last July. Kelley O’Hara, who hasn’t played since last year’s World Cup qualifiers, is also back with the team.