Spain v Scotland: Was Hampden loss just blip in Euro 2024 campaign?

"Tonight was our night. I'm looking forward to the rematch," Scotland head coach Steve Clarke told the assembled media in Hampden Park's auditorium, deep inside the stadium's south stand.

His comments came less than an hour after his team produced a victory for the ages against Spain, thanks to Scott McTominay's two goals early in each half.

On an early spring night in Mount Florida, Clarke and his players came up with a result that left the key to Euro 2024 qualification tantalisingly within their grasp, just two games into the group.

This was Spain. World Cup winners. Three-time European champions. They were well beaten on the night. And they were annoyed, perhaps even bitter.

Manchester City's midfield colossus Rodri bit hardest in his post-match interview when emotions were still running high.

"The way they play, for me, it's rubbish. Always wasting time, provoking you," he said.

It's a comment that has been viewed dimly by Clarke, his coaching staff and the players as they attempt to repeat the trick in Seville on Thursday.

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Spain had 75% of the ball on that March night, yet the Scotland supporters were remarkably calm outside of the wild celebrations that greeted McTominay's two haymakers.

This wasn't a backs-to-the-wall, fraught display that we saw in those sensational home and away wins against France in 2006 and 2007. This was measured and clinical.

It was Spain's first defeat in 19 European Championship qualifiers going back to 2014 and it drew the headline "What is the plan?" from daily Spanish sports newspaper Marca the morning after.

Head coach Luis de la Fuente was just in the door at that point but was already under pressure after replacing Luis Enrique in the wake of their second successive last 16 World Cup exit.

The 62-year-old's plan was to dust himself down and win the Nations League less than three months later.

And that is exactly what he did, defeating Italy in the semis before beating Croatia on penalties in the final. It was their fifth international trophy and first since winning Euro 2012. The ideal response to their Hampden humbling.

And last month, they thrashed both Georgia and Cyprus in Group A to the tune of 13 goals with just one conceded as they prepare to set Clarke's group leaders in their sights.

Hampden appears to have been a mere blip for La Roja.

125 home qualifiers, just five defeats

It isn't just Spain's recent resetting of form that will hearten a nation that is used to seamlessly qualifying for major tournaments, having last failed to reach one in 1992.

Scotland don't need three points in this match, which is just as well given the Spanish have won each of their last 23 European Championship qualifying games on home soil, an awesome record that dates back to 2003.

And if you think that's impressive, the fact they've only ever lost five qualifiers in 125 games in their own country is almost mind-blowing and a stark reminder of the task Scotland face to get the point they need to spark wild celebrations.

If Clarke's side can repeat March's seismic success, it would go down as arguably their greatest victory, particularly when you consider the prize on offer.

However, Spain have undoubtedly improved from March and their squad for this game is stronger than it was then, although Barcelona prospect Lamine Yamal has withdrawn with injury having become Spain's youngest-ever scorer in Tbilisi.

Pedro Porro has starred in the Premier League with Tottenham Hotspur this season, but hasn't been included, with veterans Dani Carvajal and Jesus Navas preferred at right-back since Hampden.

Navas is a relic from the golden-era, having played in the 2010 World Cup final victory in Johannesburg, and, at 37, the Sevilla player returned to the national fold for the Nations League finals.

French-born centre-backs Aymeric Laporte, who moved to Saudi Arabia after helping Manchester City to the treble, and Kieran Tierney's left-sided defensive partner at Real Sociedad, Robin le Normand, have been the preferred pairing.

Tartan Army pantomime villain Rodri will play a huge role, with captain and prolific scorer Alvaro Morata leading the attack.

The interesting selections may come in the attacking support act, with de la Fuente normally playing three behind the striker.

Villareal's Yeremy Pino has also pulled-out, with Granada winger Bryan Zaragoza taking his place. His second goal against Barcelona at the weekend was worthy of a first senior international call-up alone.

Barca pair Ferran Torres and Gavi, along with Sociedad's Mikel Oyarzabal, are also in the frame in what will be an extremely talented Spanish side.

Away from home against the top seeds is always the toughest game in the group and can be viewed as a write-off at times.

Regardless of what happens in Estadio de la Cartuja, chances are Clarke and his players will be celebrating back-to-back European Championship qualifications very soon.

However, even a 1-0 defeat could leave the Scots as favourites to win the group ahead of a massive November double-header with Georgia and Norway.