
<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>
</div></figure>



<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>West Ham has officially submitted a massive $76 million bid to <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/manchester-united-tv-schedule/">Manchester United</a> for two players. <em><a href="https://theathletic.com/4758030/2023/08/08/scott-mctominay-west-ham-man-united-transfer/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Athletic</a></em> reports that the Hammers offered half of the fee for Harry Maguire and the other half for Scott McTominay. West Ham is currently the final <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/premier-league-tv-schedule/">Premier League</a> team to not yet officially make a summer signing.</p>



<p>The aforementioned news outlet also claims that the Red Devils have rejected the offer. United looks at the double bid as two separate offers though. The rejection comes down to the fact that United currently values McTominay at $50 million alone. Nevertheless, the two sides are close to an agreement on Maguire.</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">West Ham have made a £60million ($76.7m) double bid for Harry Maguire and Scott McTominay.<br><br>More from <a href="https://twitter.com/lauriewhitwell?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@lauriewhitwell</a></p>— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheAthleticFC/status/1688619767484108800?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 7, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



<h2>Hammers more optimistic on Maguire deal</h2>



<p>United rebuffed the $38 million offer for Maguire. Still, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/west-ham-tv-schedule/">West Ham</a> remains in negotiations for the center back. The Red Devils are open to selling both players this summer but have a set asking price. The Hammers have already seen a $25 million for Maguire rejected in July as well. However, there is optimism that the two can strike a deal. The <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/england-national-team-tv-schedule/">England</a> international was recently stripped of his captaincy at United. Bruno Fernandes has taken over as club captain ahead of the 2023/24 season.</p>



<h5>EPL club also set to sign Mexico international</h5>



<p>West Ham finally seems ready to do some business in the transfer window. While they have not signed anyone just yet, they have agreed a fee with Ajax for Edson Alvarez. The <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/mexico-national-team-tv-schedule/">Mexico</a> international is currently on his way to London to complete a medical with his new team. </p>



<p>The Hammers will pay around $40 million for the defensive midfielder. Alvarez will replace <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/arsenal-close-to-signing-declan-rice-after-man-city-exit-race-20230628-WST-439902.html">former captain Declan Rice</a>. The England international was previously sold to <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/arsenal-tv-schedule/">Arsenal</a> in a mammoth $130 million deal.</p>



<p>Despite finding a replacement for their star player, West Ham is looking for more reinforcements in the middle of the pitch. <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/west-ham-to-use-funds-for-declan-rice-replacement-20230714-WST-443240.html">Southampton’s James Ward-Prowse</a> has also been <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/tottenham-plotting-ward-prowse-transfer-amid-west-ham-rumors-20230807-WST-448399.html">linked with the Hammers</a>. Nevertheless, the Saints rejected a $38 million offer by West Ham in recent days. Hammers manager David Moyes wants more homegrown British players in his squad.</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / PA Images</em></p>


West Ham has submitted a massive bid for two fringe players at Manchester United. The two teams are currently locked in negotiations.

ALL POSTS TAGGED "Scott McTominay"

Euro 2024

Spain avenges defeat at Scotland with home victory

Leagues: EPL

West Ham submit double bid for Man United outcasts