Agony for Scotland as Spain defeat delays Euro spot

Alvaro Morata's opener stung Scotland after Scott McTominay's free-kick was ruled out

Scotland's bid to reach Euro 2024 was agonisingly prolonged after suffering their first defeat of the campaign on a frustrating night in Spain.

Just minutes earlier Scott McTominay triggered early revelry among the Scots as he lashed a wonderous free-kick past Unai Simon midway through the second half, only for it to cruelly not stand after a VAR review.

Scotland's anguish would be compounded in the closing moments as Spain rolled in a second via a Ryan Porteous own goal.

Scotland, who lost captain Andy Robertson to injury in the first half, sit top of the group and three points above their hosts, but can qualify for Germany on Sunday if Norway fail to beat the in-form Spanish.

• LIVE: Spain v Scotland reaction

Scotland left the pitch to a rapturous reception from a huge travelling support here to Spain. This night had all the hallmarks of a famous night, only for it to be laced with the harshest of sucker punches.

Scotland's challenge at the start of the night? Take a point, or hope Norway would drop the ball in Cyprus. The latter always looked unlikely, and from kick-off in the sweltering Seville heat, the heft of the task facing the Scots was evident.

Spain are far from the husk of a side who wilted at Hampden. Instead Barcelona's Feran Torres steered a shot wide when through on Angus Gunn after just a minute.

A series of corners somehow flew across the Scotland goal, which was starting to lead a charmed life. None more so when Mikel Merino's slashed shot hit a post, flew between goalkeeper and line, before spinning out.

The booming gasp which met that Merino chance was loud, but nothing compared to the roar midway through the second half courtesy of McTominay.

On a rare chance for a shot at goal, the Manchester United midfielder, the thorny thistle in the La Roja side in March, whipped a glorious free-kick high into the far corner from a tight angle. Jubilation turned to jaw-smacking agony as the referee saw a foul somewhere in a ruck of bodies.

Some how, Scotland roused themselves, but on 73 minutes Morata's drifting run pierced the Scots' defence, leaving Angus Gunn helpless.

Substitute Che Adams prodded at Unai Simon when he should have done better late on, and that profligacy was punished as Porteous took the ball into the net after a Ryan Hickey slip caused panic at the back.

Scotland are far from done in this run, but this one will sting for some time.

Player of the match - Scott McTominay

He - and everyone else in the ground - thought he'd done it again and stung the Spanish. Denied a fantastic strike, his composure in the middle of the park helped Scotland stay in the fight

What next?

Scotland travel to France for a friendly on Tuesday (20:00 BST), but all eyes will be on Cyprus v Norway on Sunday.

More to follow.