
<p>Spain avenged its <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oC5Z-IJwwak&amp;t=77s" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2-0 loss</a> against <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/scotland-national-team-tv-schedule/">Scotland</a> earlier in <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/uefa-european-championship-tv-schedule/">Euro 2024 qualifying</a> with a win by the same scoreline on Thursday evening. Visiting Scotland had the chance to secure a place in the tournament proper with a draw. Despite a resolute defense and a ruled-out goal, Spain’s ball control was too much for Scotland. </p>



<p>Alvaro Morata scored the game-winning goal before a Scotland own goal sealed the deal in Sevilla. This was Scotland’s first loss in Euro 2024 qualifying, and it remains in a strong position to reach the tournament. <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/spain-national-team-tv-schedule/">Spain</a> retains a game in hand on both Scotland and a trailing Norway in third place. Spain plays Norway later in the October international break. Both Scotland and Spain can lock up a spot in Euro 2024 with a Spain win in that game. </p>



<h5>Stalemate in the first half</h5>



<p>The first major chance of the game fell to the Spanish. Alvaro Morata played Ferran Torres through, and the Barcelona winger was alone against Angus Gunn in the Scotland net. Torres took one touch before his shot that he pulled wide of Gunn’s net. Just three minutes later, three Spain players missed headers on a corner that blazed across the face of the Scotland net. Based on the first five minutes, the pitch tilted comfortably in favor of the home Spanish side.</p>



<p>Scotland survived another Spanish push in the 34th minute. The visitors failed to properly clear a Spanish cross, and the ball fell to Mikel Merino. The midfielder wonderfully hit the ball on the half-volley. However, the ball hit the inside of the post and slid across the goal line behind Gunn.</p>



<p>Spain finally had the ball in the net just four minutes later. Alvaro Morata was at the end of a cross from the right side. However, the Atletico Madrid striker was offside at the time of the cross. Referees quickly blew the play dead, and there was never any celebration for a goal.</p>



<h2>Two second-half goals see Spain to victory over Scotland</h2>



<p>Spain retained the majority share of the ball. However, Scotland’s best attempt of the game came in the 52nd minute. Even then, it was not a great opportunity. Ryan Christie failed to maintain a pass, and the ball squirmed to Unai Simon in the Spain net.</p>



<p>Six minutes later, Scotland had a free kick next to the goal line and just outside the 18-yard box. Scott McTominay, who scored a brace against Scotland in Glasgow, whipped the ball into the top right corner to perfection. However, VAR ruled out the ball for contact with Simon during the shot. While there was contact, it was minimal, and arguably harsh against Scotland. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">An alternative angle of Scott McTominay&apos;s disallowed goal… 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿<br><br>Can you spot the foul in this? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EURO2024?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EURO2024</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/ScotlandNT?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ScotlandNT</a> <a href="https://t.co/6nzsTPpHl3">pic.twitter.com/6nzsTPpHl3</a></p>— Viaplay Sports UK (@ViaplaySportsUK) <a href="https://twitter.com/ViaplaySportsUK/status/1712564534454480939?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 12, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p>The ruled-out goal inspired Spain to press forward after a sluggish start to the second half. It was Alvaro Morata who scored the game’s opening goal in the 74th minute. Second-half substitute Jesus Navas picked out Morata, who made a perfect run to the six-yard box. His glancing header gave Spain the lead much to the chagrin of the Scotland faithful. </p>



<p>Scotland’s attempts to find an equalizer left gaps at the back. Sloppy play from the Scots allowed Spain to pounce and force a goal. Scotland left-back Aaron Hickey slipped with minimal pressure. Joselu picked the ball up and squared it to Oihan Sancet. The Spaniard grabbed his first international goal as he bundled the ball over the line.</p>



<p>Spain was unable to grab a third and grab the better head-to-head goal differential against Scotland.</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / ZUMA Wire</em></p>


Spain avenges defeat at Scotland with home victory

Scotland had the chance to punch a ticket to Euro 2024 on Thursday, but it fell to Spain, which scored two second-half goals.


<p>Real Madrid came back to beat <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/atletico-madrid-tv-schedule/">Atletico Madrid</a>, 3-1, in the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/copa-del-rey-tv-schedule/">Copa del Rey</a> quarterfinals on Thursday. The Madrid derby is historically one of the fiercest rivals in club soccer. </p>



<p>Thursday’s game didn’t disappoint. The match featured three brilliant goals, as well as a red card.</p>



<p>The pre-match hype for the massive match was marred by an incident from some Atleti fans. Right-wing ultras hung a doll wearing Vinicius Junior’s jersey from a bridge near Real’s training ground. Both clubs, along with <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/la-liga-tv-schedule/">LaLiga</a>, <a href="https://www.espn.com/soccer/real-madrid-espreal_madrid/story/4861622/atletico-madrid-laliga-condemn-repugnant-racism-after-vinicius-doll-hung-from-bridge" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">condemned</a> the racist act.</p>



<h5>Morata scores against old team again</h5>



<p>Atleti struck first in the game with a goal inside the first 20 minutes. Koke played a perfect lobbed ball over the back line of Real’s defense into an onrushing Nahuel Molina. The <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/argentina-win-world-cup-in-one-of-the-classic-finals-of-all-time-20221218-WST-412674.html">Argentine World Cup winner</a> then squared a pass straight to Alvaro Morata for the easy finish. It was a beautifully worked team goal for the visitors and their first strike on the road in the Madrid Derby since 2018.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">ATLETICO MADRID TAKE THE EARLY LEAD THROUGH ALVARO MORATA! <a href="https://t.co/ERmoRxhOJj">pic.twitter.com/ERmoRxhOJj</a></p>— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNFC/status/1618705896280068096?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 26, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p>The goal was Morata’s third strike in seven games against his former club. He also previously netted against <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/real-madrid-tv-schedule/">Real</a> in both legs of a Champions League semi-final while playing for <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/juventus-tv-schedule/">Juventus</a>. Morata played 95 total matches for the club during two separate stints.</p>



<p>Real’s injury woes worsened a bit when Ferland Mendy was forced off of the pitch. Midfielder Dani Ceballos entered the fray for the defender, which made Eduardo Camavinga switch to the left back position. Carlo Ancelotti’s team is already without David Alaba, Dani Carvajal, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Eden Hazard, and Lucas Vazquez.</p>



<h2>Rodrygo levels the score with stunner in Madrid derby in Copa del Rey</h2>



<p>The hosts amped up the pressure in the second half and finally found a breakthrough in the 79th minute. Substitute Rodrygo scored an incredible solo goal after a marauding run into Atleti’s box to level the score.</p>



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<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">RODRYGO OUT OF THIS WORLD! 😱 <a href="https://t.co/wTGaXF6ZvV">pic.twitter.com/wTGaXF6ZvV</a></p>— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNFC/status/1618725592190574592?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 26, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p>With the game tied at 1-1 at the full-time whistle, the match went into extra time. Atleti’s chances to advance plummeted in the 99th minute. Center back Stefan Savic picked up a red card for a simply silly challenge while on a yellow. It was two yellows inside of two minutes, putting Atletico down a man for the remaining 20 minutes. </p>



<h5>Benzema, Vinicius put finishing touches on Atleti</h5>



<p>Real’s star striker Karim Benzema put his team ahead just five minutes later. The <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/france-national-team-tv-schedule/">France</a> international put a neatly placed shot between Jan Oblak and the post after the ball fell to him inside the box. It was Benzema’s 13th goal of the current campaign. </p>



<p>Vinicius, the target of those racist attacks from a small contingent of Atletico supports, exacted his revenge to ice the game. Another Brazilian to score a brilliant solo goal for Real Madrid provided the third for Los Blancos. The magician put together a mazy run through the Atletico defense before calmly slotting past Oblak. </p>



<p>The 19-time winners of the Copa del Rey will now face either Osasuna, Athletic Club or rivals <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/barcelona-tv-schedule/">Barcelona</a> in the semis.</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / Lagencia</em></p>


Real Madrid beat Atletico Madrid 3-1 in extra time to advance in the Copa del Rey, with three brilliant goals and a red card shown.

ALL POSTS TAGGED "Alvaro Morata"

Euro 2024

Spain avenges defeat at Scotland with home victory

Atletico Madrid

Vinicius gets revenge, Real Madrid advances in Copa del Rey