Scotland v Spain: Euro 2024 qualifying – live

Key events

Show key events only

Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature

Scotland make three changes to the starting XI named for the 3-0 win over Cyprus. Lyndon Dykes replaces the injured Che Adams up front, while Scott McTominay reaps the reward of his quickfire two-goal contribution against the Cypriots by starting in midfield alongside Ryan Christie. Stuart Armstrong and Ryan Jack are the pair to make way, both dropping to the bench.

Spain make eight changes to their starting team in the wake of their 3-0 victory over Norway. Kepa, Rodri and Mikel Merino are the only players to keep their place. Some instant reaction to that from our man in the press box can be found below.

The teams

Scotland: Gunn, Hickey, Porteous, Hanley, Tierney, Robertson, McGinn, McTominay, McGregor, Christie, Dykes.
Subs: Kelly, Clark, Patterson, Shankland, Hyam, Gilmour, Cooper, Armstrong, Ferguson, Brown, Jack, McLean.

Spain: Kepa, Porro, Garcia, Martinez, Gaya, Rodri, Merino, Pino, Ceballos, Oyarzabal, Joselu.
Subs: Sanchez, Raya, Nacho, Laporte, Morata, Ruiz, Gavi, Iglesias, Aspas, Williams, Carvajal, Zubimendi.

Referee: Sandro Schärer (Switzerland).

Preamble

Scotland last welcomed Spain to Hampden Park in 2010, at the height of the Red Fury’s pomp. Given that the Spanish were reigning world and European champions, and were at the start of a mission that would see them retain their Euro title, a narrow 3-2 defeat reflected well on Scotland.

The Scots were underdogs then, and they’re underdogs now. But the gap between the teams isn’t what it was in 2010. Spain are only (only!) tenth in the world these days, while Scotland no longer have a manager who sends out his team in a 4-6-0 formation. Spain are coming off the back of a disappointing World Cup, while the Scots are comparatively happy with their lot, having won promotion to the top tier of the Nations League. “Scotland are a very strong rival,” new Spanish coach Luis de la Fuente says diplomatically. “They’ve got a good team that has evolved over the years. Scotland are a very intense team. The whole team has quality.”

All good, though when you boil the bones down, Scotland are still up against it tonight. Spain’s 3-0 win over Norway on Saturday was more clinical than Scotland’s victory by the same score against Cyprus, and they’ve lost just one of their last 18 Euro qualifiers away from home, against Slovakia in October 2014. They’ve won 14 of the other 17. And they’ve not lost to Scotland since 1984, when Kenny Dalglish lit up a World Cup qualifier with one of his trademark whips into the top corner. (What a belter that was!) But Scotland are unbeaten in eight matches at Hampden, and there’s always hope. Kick off is at 7.45pm BST. It’s on!