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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Aidan Macdonald

Steve Clarke insists Scotland 'did not deserve' to lose to Spain

Scotland boss Steve Clarke insists his side "did not deserve to lose" to Spain in their Euro 2024 qualifier. 

Goals from Alvaro Morata and Oihan Sancet saw the hosts run out 2-0 winners in Seville which means the 60-year-old's team will have to wait until at least Sunday to find out if they have reached next summer's tournament in Germany.

However, there was VAR controversy after Scott McTominay thought he had put the visitors in front from a free kick.

The referee was asked to review Jack Hendry's interaction with Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon and appeared to rule the goal out originally for a foul before UEFA then confirmed the decision was that the defender had interfered with play from an offside position.

Speaking to ViaPlay Sports, Clarke said: "I am disappointed for the players. [They] put in a really good performance, and Spain knew they were in a game.

"We came here to show that and obviously, the game turned on a small margin. If it is offside or a foul... I do not know what he gave it for, to be honest.

"I think because he [Hendry] is offside and steps toward the goalkeeper, maybe because he makes contact with the goalkeeper, they have given the offside but it is small margins.

"Instead of being 1-0 up, we are 1-0 down 15 minutes later and then it is a tough night. It is disappointing but we are still in a good position.

Despite the defeat, the Scotland manager made clear that he was proud of how his team handled the goal being disallowed and praised them for their professionalism. 

"It is always difficult when you think you have scored a goal and someone takes it off you," he continued.

"It is disappointing to lose the goal [Spain's opener] but we coped reasonably well with the pressure and you can watch the McTominay goal as much as you like, we are not getting it.

"It is gone and you have to try and move on. I think we did that, and the second goal was really unfortunate as it puts an unfair light on the game as I do not think we deserved to lose 2-0.

"I do not think we deserved to lose, to be fair."

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