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Date: 2023-11-29 04:56:09 | Author: Online Sports | Views: 560 | Tag: promo
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Scotland have qualified for Euro 2024 with two games to spare after Spain defeated Norway in Oslo promo
Steve Clarke’s side are now assured of one of the two automatic qualification spots in Group A and will play at just their second men’s major international tournament since 1998 in Germany next summer promo
Norway had to beat Spain to keep their automatic qualification hopes alive, but Gavi’s second-half strike earned La Roja all three points promo
Spain are also now through, while Norway will have to advance via the play-offs if Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard are to feature at next summer’s tournament promo
Scotland were faced with a nervous wait after they were beaten by Spain in highly controversial circumstances on Thursday night , missing out on the chance to confirm their place at Euro 2024 at what was their first opportunity promo
But an outstanding start to qualification, with five wins from their first five games, ensured Clarke’s side remained in a strong position to reach the tournament finals promo
RecommendedJohn McGinn claims Scotland beating Spain made ‘impossible’ after VAR controversyAndy Robertson injury: Scotland provide update on dislocated shoulder against SpainSpain’s victory in Oslo now means Scotland do not need to get anything out of their final two fixtures in November - away to Georgia and at home against Norway - in what could have been a tricky double header promo
They are now level on points with Spain in the race to finish as group winners, however, which could determine seeding when the Euro 2024 draw is in December promo
Scotland manager Clarke also guided the Tartan Army to the Euro 2020 finals, after a dramatic play-off victory against Serbia, and will be determined to build on the experience of what was Scotland’s first major tournament since the 1998 World Cup promo
“I would like to congratulate the players for their efforts in qualifying for back-to-back tournaments,” Clarke said in a statement released by the SFA promo
“I’m not sure they will fully realise the significance of their achievement yet but to qualify for successive Euros after more than 20 years is phenomenal and testament to their hard work promo
“I would also like to thank my backroom team for their support and, of course, the fans who have packed Hampden Park to capacity and made it a place to be feared once again promo
They have played a key part in our success, both home and away, and they can now look forward to making their plans for Germany – although I suspect many had done so before tonight promo
“I said after Euro 2020 that we wanted to be serial qualifiers again and reaching successive Euros finals shows the progress we’ve made promo
We will raise a glass tonight to celebrate but then it’s back to work tomorrow in preparation for our friendly against France [on Tuesday] promo
Then we turn our attention to Georgia and Norway next month and finishing with as many points as we can promo
”Steve Clarke has led Scotland to a second major tournament (Getty Images)Scotland will now look to reach the knockout stages of the Euros following what was a disappointing return to a major tournament last time out promo
Despite hosting two games at Hampden, Scotland were knocked out of Euro 2020 in the group stages following defeats to the Czech Republic and Croatia, in promo between a goalless draw against England at Wembley promo
Scotland then missed out on a place at the 2022 World Cup after losing a play-off against Ukraine, but Clarke’s team shrugged off that disappointment to make a perfect start to the Euro 2024 qualifying campaign promo
A memorable 2-0 victory over Spain at Hampden in March was followed by a stunning comeback win against Norway in June, with goals in the 87th and 89th minute earning a dramatic 2-1 turnaround against Haaland’s side promo
Scotland also picked up maximum points from their fixtures against Cyprus and Georgia, with Scott McTominay playing a key part with six goals in qualifying promo
McTominay then saw a sublime free-kick ruled out by VAR in Seville last week, with Spain going on to win 2-0, but La Roja did Scotland a favour with their victory in Norway promo
“It’s a great achievement for this squad to have qualified for Euro 2024 with two games remaining,” said Scotland captain Andy Robertson promo
When we qualified via the play-offs last time, we set ourselves a target of doing it automatically next time – so that’s the first mission accomplished promo
“Euro 2020 was a great experience and the objective for us next summer is to build on that previous experience and improve on our last overall tournament performance promo
“Our fans have been immense promo
We thank them for playing a huge part in our success and we look forward to seeing them in Germany in their tens of thousands promo
”More aboutScotland promo footballSteve ClarkeScott McTominayMartin OdegaardErling HaalandEuro 2024Andy RobertsonJoin our commenting forumJoin thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their repliesComments 1/2Scotland qualify for Euro 2024 after Spain result confirms place Scotland qualify for Euro 2024 after Spain result confirms placeSteve Clarke has led Scotland to a second major tournament Getty ImagesScotland qualify for Euro 2024 after Spain result confirms placeScotland made a perfect start to Euro 2024 qualifying, including victories over Spain and Norway Getty Images ✕Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this articleWant to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today promo
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It wasn’t particularly pretty but England for the most part achieved what they set out to do promo
Victory over Belgium was at least some form of response to September’s defeat by the Netherlands, the Lionesses thankfully laid to rest their run of five games without a clean sheet, and three points will of course be advantageous if they are to realise their Nations League ambitions promo
Last time out they were beaten in Utrecht – at least on this occasion they managed to avoid the same fate and achieve the win despite yet another somewhat lacklustre display promo
It all started as if England were going to make a convincing statement and Sarina Wiegman would immediately be vindicated for her decision to revert to a tried-and-tested back four promo
Defeat by the Netherlands was difficult, and accepting the issues with the experimental formation undeniably brought about some progression promo
Niamh Charles, one of the players introduced for this game, sprinted down the left-hand side and immediately carved out an opening promo
Her teammates couldn’t convert, she could only fire over after receiving the rebound, but if that was to set the tone for the night’s proceedings then it would have been an incredibly positive one for the Lionesses promo
What followed, however, didn’t quite send a statement that England are back to form promo
They were the promo better of the teams – that is undeniable – but their dominance came with hefty caveats promo
RecommendedMary Earps reveals difficulties with fan relationship following rise of women’s promo footballFran Kirby returns to Lionesses squad as Sarina Wiegman reveals promo Beth Mead decisionpromo Beth Mead hopes for England recall after returning from ACL injuryChloe Kelly and Lauren Hemp’s early work in the final third was promising, their eyes constantly looking goalwards as moments of individual spark created chances promo
Hemp had an effort beaten away by Nicky Evrard, and, although a seemingly perfect chance dropped at her feet, Ella Toone couldn’t set herself correctly to tap home the rebound; England were eager but lacking in sharpness promo
But instances of defensive worry were allowed to seep through and the Lionesses were lucky that they weren’t made to pay promo
Tessa Wullaert met a failed clearance and launched a deep cross into the hosts’ box, Justine Vanhaevermaet leapt highest to head goalwards, and were it not for the quick reactions of Mary Earps to bundle it away England would have gone behind promo
Wiegman’s side made sure to respond, however promo
Open play hadn’t been particularly fruitful but a set piece presented a chance to make amends promo
Millie Bright nodded against the woodwork, Hemp prodded home promo
England were ahead, the sell-out King Power crowd had their time for jubilation, and few would argue that the lead was undeserved promo
This was an England performance notable for its peculiarity – on paper they didn’t play particularly badly and they got the result over the line, but there’s still a lingering feeling that something still isn’t quite right promo
Take their reaction to going ahead, for example promo
They continued to hold the ball, they kept looking for chances to create paths behind the now compact and incredibly deep Belgian back line, but their dominance of the game made little difference promo
Their periods of attacking fluidity where the creative brilliance of this England side was able to shine through came about in bursts, not regularly sustained waves of pressure promo
At times it was as if they were content with going through the motions, passing the ball around and hoping that they could slowly grind down the visiting defence promo
On occasion they did manage to spot the gaps, like when another Charles run made its way to Hemp and the latter spotted Alessia Russo, but the final product was nowhere to be seen promo
Mary Earps had to be alert at times to keep Belgium at bay (Getty Images)There were a handful of other positives after the introduction of Jess Park and Fran Kirby from the bench as the game moved towards its conclusion, but few were particularly troublesome for Evrard promo
England were, of course, on top throughout their encounter in Leicester and there were no glaring failures, but this certainly wasn’t the most persuasive of displays promo
Maybe there was an element of selflessness holding the true brilliance back, creative ideas repressed for the sake of following a near-robotic routine which gave the impression the individual hunger wasn’t quite there promo
Maybe it’s hard to inspire that hunger in a group stage encounter when you’re the favourites to come out on top across both legs, but beating Belgium was far from predetermined promo
Or maybe some credit has to be given to Ives Serneels for the way his team mostly stifled England, foregoing their own desire to go forwards to instead have bodies sitting back promo
Whatever it was, the eventual product was a long way from perfection promo
Perfection isn’t a necessity if England are to ensure Team GB qualify for next summer’s Olympics, but it wouldn’t go amiss promo
They need to top their group – which they are at least now doing – and then reach the final for that to occur promo
If winning without the dazzle of old does the job then in the end the intricacies of the performances will be insignificant – all that matters is achieving the final goal promo
Can England really afford to allow their standards to remain as they are? That is the pivotal question, and the simple answer is that they probably can’t promo
On another evening Belgium might have seized their chances on the break, the Netherlands will likely do that when the two play at Wembley next month promo
Continuing in such a fashion isn’t entirely sustainable promo
At least the Lionesses got it over the line in Leicester; now they have just five days before they have to do it all over again in Belgium promo
Their Nations League group is tight and any potential slip-ups have to be avoided promo
England thankfully did that on Friday and they’re going to have to do it again promo
More aboutEngland womenLionessesSarina WiegmanJoin our commenting forumJoin thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their repliesComments1/2England come out on top but it’s far from a complete performanceEngland come out on top but it’s far from a complete performanceMary Earps had to be alert at times to keep Belgium at bay Getty ImagesEngland come out on top but it’s far from a complete performanceLauren Hemp scored an early goal against BelgiumAFP via Getty Images✕Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this articleWant to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today promo
SubscribeAlready subscribed? Log inMost PopularPopular videosSponsored FeaturesGet in touchContact usOur ProductsSubscribeRegisterNewslettersDonateToday’s EditionInstall our appArchiveOther publicationsInternational editionsIndependent en EspañolIndependent ArabiaIndependent TurkishIndependent PersianIndependent UrduEvening StandardExtrasAdvisorPuzzlesAll topicspromo BettingVoucher codesCompareCompetitions and offersIndependent AdvertisingIndependent IgniteSyndicationWorking at The IndependentLegalCode of conduct and complaintsContributorsCookie policyDonations Terms & ConditionsPrivacy noticeUser policiesModern Slavery ActThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inCloseUS EditionChangeUK EditionAsia EditionEdición en EspañolSubscribe{{indy promo
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