Scotland’s Euro 2012 qualifying campaign ended in failure as they lost heavily to Spain in Alicante.

A first half brace from David Silva and a third from David Villa, meant David Goodwillie’s 66th minute penalty was of little consolation to travelling fans.

The Scots finish Group I in third place with 11 points from eight fixtures.

The Czech Republic’s 4-1 win over Lithuania means they go into Thursday’s play-off draw at the expense of Craig Levein’s side.

The Scotland manager had named an unchanged line-up for their final fixture with Craig Mackail-Smith again playing as a lone striker in a 4-1-4-1 formation.

Spain meanwhile, made six changes with goalkeeper Iker Casillas rested in favour of Victor Valdes with Fernando Torres replaced by David Villa up front.

And the world champions were immediately in control, with Scotland failing to get a touch of the ball in the opening two minutes of play.

Seconds later news filtered through from Lithuania that the Czech Republic had gone a goal up through a Michal Kadlec penalty: a scenario which would mean Scotland had to defeat the world champions to prevent the Czechs taking second place in the group.

That task was made harder in the sixth minute, when Jordi Alba, making his debut for Spain, sent in a cross from the bye-line which found Silva, who drove the ball under goalkeeper Allan McGregor from 10 yards.

A shell-shocked Scotland had the chance to respond two minutes later when Steven Naismith was on the end of Barry Bannan’s cross in from the left, the Rangers striker unable to hit the target from close range.

And while their desire for an equaliser was evident, Levein’s side weren’t allowed to settle with wave after wave of attack from the Spaniards. In the 12th minute midfielder Santi Cazorla sent in a low drive which McGregor grabbed at the second attempt, moments before the Rangers keeper made another save, this time from Pedro’s shot. The news after 18 minutes that the Czech Republic had gone 2-0 up in Lithuania only served to make Scotland’s efforts appear all the more futile.

There were further chances for Cazorla and Carlos Puyol, before Naismith was again frustrated in front of goal. Bannan again the provider, Naismith was robbed of the ball on the egde of the box by a well-timed Gerard Pique challenge.

But while Naismith was ineffective in front of goal, his endeavour continued as he set up his captain Darren Fletcher in the 33rd minute, sending in a clever flick-on which the Manchester United midfielder sent over the crossbar from 16 yards.

In contrast to Scotland’s nervousness in possession, Spain continued to coolly dictate the game, and their patience paid off just before half-time. Silva darted from the halfway line to the edge of McGregor’s box, then casually exchanged a one-two with Pedro before slipping a left footed shot past McGregor to double their advantage.

After the restart, and with the task in hand all too obvious, Scotland’s strategy was clear when McGregor fired the ball across the length of the pitch to Mackail-Smith, whose right-footed shot from 20 yards out was on target, but straight into the hands of Valdes.

And while Scotland hit and hoped, Spain continued to craft. Their third was a collaboration between Silva and Villa, the Manchester City midfielder surging through the Scotland defence before unselfishlessly holding up the ball in anticipation of Villa’s run, the Barcelona striker slotting home for his 50th international goal.

With the deficit growing Levein introduced Goodwillie as an additional striker, Bannan the player leaving the field. The Blackburn Rovers player was called into action almost immediately when Mackail-Smith was upended by David Villa having pounced upon a loose ball, Goodwillie slotting home from the spot to salvage some pride.

Seconds later, Mackail-Smith had the chance to reignite the fixture when Christophe Berra headed a corner kick back across the face of goal, the Brighton forward unable to connect.

Any lingering hope of a Scotland comeback died with another missed chance, this time for Goodwillie who drove high and wide with ten minutes left rather than play in the well-positioned Mackail-Smith.

Spain continued to create chance after chance in the closing stages of a match and a campaign which heaps yet more misery on the Tartan Army.

(BBC Football )

 

We’re on the march in Alicante! Tartan Army takes over Spanish resort on day of destiny

Oct 11 2011 By Craig McDonald

THE Tartan Army have taked over the beaches, bars and  boulevards of Alicante ahead of Scotland’s date with destiny today.

Up to 15,000 Scots supporters will cheer Craig Levein’s side  on when they face world champions Spain in the 30,000 seater Estadio Jose Rico Perez.

And they were hoping for a better fate than the one that befell Ally’s Army on another Latin conquest … that disastrous trip to the 1978 World Cup in
Argentina.

The prize is a play-off for a slot at Euro 2012 in Poland and Ukraine.

And just a draw could be good enough if the Czech Republic can’t beat Lithuania in the other Group I decider.

Comedian Andy Cameron – who recorded the 1978 anthem We’re On The March With Ally’s Army – said: “People should remember that Scotland have beaten Spain before – and that we scored two goals against them in the last game.

“I believe we have some good players in the likes of Charlie Adam and Darren Fletcher, who are regulars for Liverpool and Manchester United, and we have a great goalkeeper.

“We have a great spirit and I would hope we will have a go. I hope the boys will be gallus, strut their stuff and show how good they are.

“Spain will not want to lose. But it is a big target for us – let’s hit it.”

TV presenter and Scotland fanatic Lorraine Kelly said she’d be on the edge of her seat.

She said: “We all need to get behind Craig and our boys. I know they will play their hearts out.

“It will be nerve- shredding but let’s give them the support they deserve.”

Veteran broadcaster and former Scotsport presenter Arthur Montford said: “To paraphrase one of my old catchphrases, I think Scotland are on the verge of a sensational result. A positive result would indeed be sensational, but I believe it is achievable.

“There is a good spirit in the camp and we have some good players, including a very good goalkeeper. If you have a world-class goalkeeper, you always have a chance.”

Record columnist Tam Cowan will not see a chunk of the game as he’s presenting The Hour live on STV at 8pm.

He said: “I cannot remember missing a game of such importance for us, so it’s a weird situation for me.

“Let’s just say as soon as The Hour is over I will be looking for the nearest telly to catch the end of the match.

“I reckon Spain should do us a turn after all the money Scots have pumped into their economy through package holidays over the years.

“If they do, and Craig Levein can call in a couple of brickies to cement our defence, then maybe we can achieve our dream of making the play-offs.”

Scotland are one point clear in second place above the Czech Republic, who play in Lithuania at the same time Levein’s men face Spain.

Technically, Scotland have their fate in their own hands – but a defeat would mean the Czechs need only draw to secure a
play-off spot.

Tartan Army spokesman Hamish Husband said: “Scotland always rise to the greatest challenges. We beat West Germany in 1957 when they were world champions. We beat England in 1967 when they were world champions and we beat Argentina in 1990 when they were world champions – so we have done it before.

“I think we will put in a really good performance against Spain but we are waiting on the result from Lithuania. It’s time for the lads to step up and I hope we do it – and I have already booked two days’ holidays for the play-offs in November.”

But it’s not just those clad in tartan who are hoping we get to Euro 2012 – even Spanish fans are willing us on to victory in Alicante.

Spanish staff at Tapa Barra Restaurant, in Edinburgh, have admitted they are backing Scotland’s attempt to qualify for a major tournament for the first time since 1998.

Barman Javier Manzanero, from Toledo, admitted he is torn between the two teams tonight but hopes Levein’s men can join Spain at the finals.

Javier, 24, said: “Spain have already easily qualified from the group and I would like nothing better than for Scotland to join us there. They really deserve to get to the play-offs and it would be amazing if both Spain and Scotland could get to Euro2012.

“And as Spain don’t really have anything to play for tonight, maybe my countrymen will give Scotland a helping hand.

“It’s probably the first time in my life I would like to see Spain lose. And it’s not just me – almost every Spaniard I know is hoping the Scots can go through.

“It’s always a real shame when the Scots don’t qualify because they have the best fans in the world.

“I can’t quite believe there are over 10,000 Scots over in Spain for the match. They really deserve to have some success.”

Waitress Maria Guitart, from Cartagena, added: “It would be wonderful for both Spain and Scotland to go through.

“If that means Spain losing then so be it. The Scots definitely deserve it.”

Scotland are 11-1 outsiders to win tonight, with Spain 6-1 on and the draw at 9-2.

Scotland are 5-2 with William Hill to finish second in their group and secure a play-off place. But bookies have the national side at 6-1 to actually go on and qualify for Euro 2012.

Hills are also offering 10-1 for a Scotland player to repeat James McFadden miracle against France in Paris tonight and score from outside the penalty area.

(Daily Record )

 

Gareth Bale’s deflected shot proved enough to give Wales victory in their final Euro 2012 qualifier in Sofia.

The outstanding winger scored on the stroke of half-time after cutting into the box from the right flank before firing a low effort with his left foot.

Craig Bellamy’s curling effort went inches wide after the break, while Bale crashed a volley against the crossbar.

Valeri Bojinov wasted a glorious chance to equalise five minutes from time when he shot wide after being sent clear.

It would have been an undeserved point for the Bulgarians, under caretaker manager Mihail Madanski, who failed to register a single shot on target and are left to prop up Group G.

Wales finish one place above in fourth place, denied a possible third-placed finish by Switzerland’s 2-0 win runners-up Montenegro.

But the victory represents a remarkable turnaround for Wales as they end the group with three victories from the final four games and celebrate their first back-to-back wins in competitive games for six years.

Gary Speed named the same side that beat Switzerland 2-0 on Friday, the first time since 2003 that a Wales manager had fielded an unchanged team in consecutive games.

A surreal atmosphere awaited both sets of players, with fewer than 1,000 spectators present in the 45,000 capacity stadium because of a boycott of the game by Bulgaria fans in protest over the state of the national side.

And those home fans who bothered to turn up saw their side outplayed for large parts against an ever-improving Wales side.

Wales forced home keeper Nikolay Mihailov into action twice in the opening 10 minutes as Bellamy fired from the edge of the box and then Bale shot low after beating two men.

But the bright start soon fell away as the tempo dropped, not helped by the long grass which appeared to restrict the flow of the ball.

Bulgaria offered little in the early exchanges, but Wales were fortunate on 36 minutes when Ivelin Popov’s low cross was inches away from Valeri Domovchiyski’s outstretched leg five yards from goal.

Although lethargic at times in defence, allowing Bulgaria too much room down their left flank, Bale came alive at every opportunity in attack.

A last-ditch tackle denied the Spurs winger another chance to surge into the home box, but Bale’s pace caught out the home defence on the stroke of half-time to give Wales the lead.

A long ball from Adam Matthews, introduced four minutes earlier following an injury to Darcy Blake, beat the offside trap and freed Bale down the right flank.

He cut inside into the box on his left foot and his low drive deflected off the heels of Ivan Ivanov, wrong-footing keeper Milailov, giving the 22-year his fifth international goal from 32 appearances.

Wales came out for the second half showing greater intensity and purpose, and could easily have scored three times in the first 15 minutes.

Superb interplay between Bale and Aaron Ramsey created a glorious opening for Bellamy, but the Liverpool striker fired wildly over the bar in front of goal.

Bellamy then saw his right-foot curler go inches past the far post, before Bale crashed a volley against the underside of the bar from the edge of the box.

The chance epitomised the new confidence and creativity in the Wales side as Ramsey juggled the ball on the edge of the area before lifting the ball purposely into Bale’s path.

Bulgaria showed little to suggest they had the heart for a late revival, and their rare forays into the Wales box were quickly snuffed out by the excellent Chris Gunter, switched from right-back to centre-back following Blake’s injury.

But Bojinov should have brought his team level in the dying stages after the Wales defence was caught square for the first time.

Only goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey stood between Bojinov and the Wales goal, but the striker’s effort with the outside of his foot missed the target from 10 yards.

(BBC Football )

 

Nigel Worthington’s final game in charge of Northern Ireland ended in defeat by Italy in Pescara.

Antonio Cassano scored the first with a stunning right-foot volley in the 21st minute while Ryan McGivern headed wide from a Steve Davis free-kick.

Cassano sidefooted the ball into the bottom right-hand corner after 53 minutes and Warren Feeney blazed over when he should have found the net.

Gareth McAuley scored an own goal to end a dismal Euro qualifying campaign.

Northern Ireland ended fifth of the six teams in Pool C, with two wins, three draws and five defeats from their 10 games.

Italy had the first chance of the game in the sixth minute but Sebastian Giovinco’s shot from outside the area was well saved by Maik Taylor.

A poor backpass from an Italian defender almost allowed David Healy in on goal but Gianluigi Buffon was off his line quickly to clear.

Giorgio Chiellini missed a wonderful opportunity to score in the 19th minute when he headed wide from two yards out after a corner.

Italy continued to have more of the play and Cassano broke the deadlock when he allowed a pinpoint Daniele De Rossi pass to travel over his shoulder before striking a right-foot volley past Taylor.

Northern Ireland went close to an equaliser six minutes later when Ryan McGivern’s glancing header from Steve Davis’s corner was pushed round the post by Buffon.

Before the break, Giovinco fired over the bar and had another effort saved by Taylor.

The Italians increased their lead when AC Milan forward Cassano sidefooted the ball into the bottom right-hand corner of the net after running onto a fine pass by impressive midfielder Aquilani.

Aquilani managed a long-range shot on target himself in the 63rd minute but Taylor saved comfortably.

Nigel Worthington’s side still battled hard and substitute Warren Feeney squandered a wonderful chance when he blazed over from close range after meeting Johnny Gorman’s swinging cross from the left.

Taylor had to be at full stretch to save Riccardo Montolivo’s drilled shot from outside the area as Italy piled on the pressure.

The unfortunate McAuley then turned the ball into his own net after Federico Balzaretti squared the ball across goal after Andrea Pirlo had executed an exquisite pass into the area.

Taylor distinguished himself again with a save from Giovinco’s volley from five yards out as the Italians relentlessly pursued a fourth.

(BBC Football )

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