Even if the Blues did not play this Tuesday evening, there were other matches scheduled in these Euro 2024 qualifiers. Here is what to remember from the evening’s matches.
Scott McTominay defeats Spain
Four goals in two games. No, these statistics are not those of Kylian Mbappé but rather of Scott McTominay. After scoring twice against Cyprus on Saturday (3-0), the Manchester United midfielder did it again against Spain (2-0) and allowed Scotland to record their second victory in as many games in these playoffs. In a burning Hampden Park, the Tartan Army showed themselves uninhibited and hurt the Spanish defense with their direct play. She was finally rewarded with the first goal from Scott McTominay on a cross from Robertson (6th). The 26-year-old then doubled the bet with a volley from the left on a center from Tierney (51st).
Germany falls against Belgium
It wasn’t a qualifying match… But the line-up remained enticing. Organizer of Euro 2024, Germany faced Belgium in a friendly match to gauge themselves after a rather disappointing World Cup. And Hans-Dieter Flick still has work to do. The Mannschaft lost against the Red Devils (2-3) after conceding two goals in just three minutes from Yannick Carrasco (6th) and Romelu Lukaku (9th), on two brilliant inspirations from the untenable Kevin De Bruyne. Niclas Füllkrug reduced the score on penalty before half-time (44th), before the Manchester City conductor put an end to German hopes (78th). Serge Gnabry then scored his 22nd achievement in 41 selections at the end of the game (87th).
Croatia on the right track
After their draw against the Welsh (1-1), the semi-finalists of the 2022 World Cup finally launched their knockout phase of the Euro by winning against Turkey (0-2). Ultra-realistic, Croatia opened the scoring thanks to Mateo Kovacic on a mess of the Turkish defense (20th). The Chelsea midfielder then offered himself a double before the break on an attempt by Pasalic repelled by Günok (45 + 4). Luka Modric’s teammates take first place in Group D, ahead of Wales on goal difference, who also won against Latvia (1-0).
But also…
In the pool of Spain, Willy Sagnol’s Georgia hooked Norway, still deprived of Erling Haaland (1-1). In Group I, Switzerland and Romania prevailed respectively against Israel (3-0) and Belarus (2-1), while Kosovo and Andorra were not separated (1-1).