Scotland fans endured an emotional rollercoaster at Hampden Park last night as the national side fought back from a seemingly impossible situation against world champions Spain only to end up suffering a cruel 3-2 loss.
Craig Levein’s side had gone two goals behind in the European Championship qualifier and looked down and out before mounting an incredible comeback to equalise.
But it was to prove to be a case of so near and yet so far as Spain clinched the winner with 12 minutes remaining.
Scotland had played the now infamous 4-6-0 defensive formation against the Czech Republic on Friday evening.
However, in the first half last night, it seemed the only way the Scots would prevent Vincent del Bosque’s side from scoring would have been to set up two banks of trenches topped with barbed wire and machine-gun posts.
The Spanish inflicted a cruel footballing inquisition to which Scotland had no answer. The peerless Andres Iniesta was tormentor in chief, pulling the home side all over the Hampden pitch although he had more than a little help from former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso.
Up front, David Villa was a constant thorn in the flesh of the Scots defence. However, despite utterly dominating territory and possession, it looked as if Iker Casillas and the rest of his team would be going in at the interval without making a breakthrough.
Then, just before half-time, Steven Whittaker handled in his area and Villa stepped up to slot away the resultant penalty.
When Iniesta stroked home a shot from 12 yards in the 55th minute, the game looked all over as a contest.ResponseHowever, Scotland picked themselves up off the canvas and delivered a stunning response.
First, Steven Naismith headed home a Kenny Miller cross to pull one back, then 10 minutes later the home side equalised after Gerard Pique turned a James Morrison cross into his own net.
Hampden dared to hope that Levein’s side could go on to pull off a stunning victory, however Spain inflicted more pain.
Stephen McManus misjudged a cross from the left to allow substitute Fernando Llorente an easy tap-in at the far post. Scotland’s misery was complete when Whittaker was sent off near the end after picking up a second booking.
The result was desperately cruel on a Scotland side that had come into the game as massive underdogs.
However, it was a performance which restored the nation’s footballing pride after the dismal defeat against the Czechs.HeroesAn emotionally-drained Levein said, “There are a lot of positives tonight. The players did everything I asked for them and every single one of them is a hero.
“They are a fairly young group of players and they have a lot of confidence in their own ability and their team-mates.
“We showed great character and I thought we could have gone on to win the game. It would have been easy for the heads to go down when we were two goals behind against the best team we have ever faced here but the lads showed loads of guts and determination.
“The penalty was soft and maybe when Scotland are world champions we will get those decisions,” he smiled.
“I think the supporters have invested a lot in the players and got their rewards. There was great chemistry between the fans and the players tonight. It is something I have not seen for a long, long time and the place was really rocking.
“I have thanked the players for the effort they have put in over the last 10 days.
“And I wish I could have shaken the hand of every supporter for the way they performed.
“The next time we play a competitive match, the players will all be older and a bit more experienced.
“I always said we would have to beat the Czechs and Lithuania at home and Liechtenstein away and I do not think anything has changed.”
Scots captain Darren Fletcher hailed the quality of the opposition and stressed his belief that Levein’s men can still make it through the group.
“We showed great courage to get back into the game against a top-class side,” said Fletcher.
“They are one of the best teams I have ever played against. Their possession of the ball was fantastic.
“Everyone on that park gave their all and gave the fans something to be proud of tonight.
“The massive games are the two home games next year (against the Czech Republic then Lithuania). We are all expecting Spain to win the group and you saw tonight why that’s the case.Second place”The race is for second place and we are still in it.”
His words were echoed by striker Miller, who added, “We have to win those two home games. If we can beat Liechtenstein away then I don’t think we will be far away.
“We need Spain to win all their games and they are well capable of that.
“If we can get those vital victories then we have a real chance.”
Scots goalscorer Naismith was delighted to get off the mark for his country at international level.
“I don’t think you can pick a better team to score your first international goal against and looking back I will probably be delighted to have scored against Spain, especially at Hampden,” he said.’Great character'”Right now, though, all I feel is disappointment that we didn’t hang on.”
Spanish boss Del Bosque praised the Scots. Through an interpreter, he said, “They showed great character to come back from 2-0 down and fought right to the end.
“Scotland made it tough for us and were very quick to hit us on the counter-attack.
“It was a massive three points for us tonight.
“It now looks to be between ourselves and the Czech Republic as to who will win the group.”