It was a momentous moment for Scotland, or so they thought. The Estadio de La Cartuja in Seville was a cauldron of anticipation, with Scottish fans on the edge of their seats. Scott McTominay’s free-kick had sailed beautifully into the net, seemingly putting the Scots 1-0 up against Spain with just half an hour left to play. Half an hour away from a spot in the European Championships. Half an hour away from etching their names in history.
However, the euphoria was short-lived. The dreaded ‘VAR check in progress’ message lit up the giant screens in the stadium, casting a shadow of doubt over the celebration. A hush fell over the navy blue sea of Scottish fans, arms and legs frozen in mid-air as they looked up at the screens, then to the heavens, seeking answers.
As referee Serdar Gozubuyuk trotted over to the pitchside monitor, Scotland’s fortunes took an unexpected turn. What had been a night filled with a touch of sorcery was suddenly engulfed in confusion. The goal that promised glory was disallowed, and it was followed by two goals at the other end that dashed Scotland’s hopes of qualification.
In the midst of the ensuing chaos, the reasons for disallowing the goal remained shrouded in uncertainty. Scotland’s manager, Steve Clarke, summed it up succinctly, saying, “That changes the whole night.”
Scotland, needing only a draw to secure their place in the Euro 2024, had earlier relied on a fair bit of luck during a resilient defensive display in the first half, which saw their captain, Andy Robertson, leaving the pitch due to injury. But the pivotal moment arrived when McTominay’s free-kick struck the back of the net, only for it to be wiped from the record books. Was Jack Hendry offside? Did he interfere with play? Did he foul the Spanish goalkeeper?
“McTominay’s fine free-kick is so close to being a super goal,” Clarke noted. “Initially, Jack is a centimeter offside. Then when he steps toward the keeper, they’ve asked the referee to look at it. They’ve interpreted Jack as interfering with the keeper. I’m not sure the goalie is saving that shot anyway.”
Scotland midfielder John McGinn added to the chorus of frustration, saying, “Every Scottish person would be frustrated watching that. The goal, you think you’ve got a goal to qualify. Unbelievable strike from Scotty. No keeper in the world is saving that.”
The rollercoaster continued as the referee initially called it a foul, only to seemingly change his mind during the game, attributing the disallowed goal to offside. McGinn labeled it “very, very harsh.”
The disallowed goal marked a dramatic shift in momentum, leading to a series of unfortunate events for Scotland. Alvaro Morata scored with his head to open the scoring for Spain, while Ryan Porteous, in a desperate attempt to clear, inadvertently slid the ball into his own net. To compound their misery, Che Adams missed a golden opportunity that could have equalized the game.
Now, all eyes are on the match between Norway and Spain, with Scotland’s hopes hanging in the balance. Former Scotland winger Pat Nevin observed, “Scotland will feel fed up tonight, that’s two losses in a row but it’s Spain and England. You could see what Scotland were trying to do. It was a grown-up plan which didn’t quite come off. Steve Clarke can say to the players: ‘If we beat Georgia, we’re through.’ You’d have taken that at the start of the campaign.”
In the end, the VAR controversy left Scotland grappling with a sense of injustice and a bitter taste of what might have been. The road to Euro 2024 had taken an unexpected detour, leaving the Scots with the challenging task of regrouping and fighting on for their spot in the tournament.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about VAR Controversy
What was the pivotal moment in the Scotland vs. Spain match in Seville?
The pivotal moment in the Scotland vs. Spain match was when Scott McTominay’s sensational free-kick found the net, seemingly putting Scotland 1-0 up with just half an hour to play.
Why was the goal disallowed, and what reasons were given for it?
The goal was disallowed due to VAR intervention. The specific reasons for its disallowance included concerns of offside related to Jack Hendry, interference with the goalkeeper, and a possible foul on the Spanish goalkeeper.
How did the disallowed goal affect the outcome of the match?
The disallowed goal marked a turning point in the game, leading to a downward spiral of disappointment for Scotland. It was followed by two goals for Spain and missed opportunities for the Scottish team.
What are Scotland’s prospects for Euro 2024 qualification now?
Scotland’s prospects for Euro 2024 qualification remain uncertain. Their fate hinges on the outcome of the match between Norway and Spain, with Scotland needing favorable results to secure their spot in the tournament.
How did the Scottish players and manager react to the VAR decision?
Scottish players and manager Steve Clarke expressed frustration and disbelief at the VAR decision. They believed that the disallowed goal was unjust and could have had a significant impact on their qualification.
What is the overall mood and sentiment surrounding Scotland’s Euro 2024 journey after this match?
The mood around Scotland’s Euro 2024 journey is one of disappointment and a sense of missed opportunity. The VAR controversy left a bitter taste, but there remains hope and determination to continue fighting for qualification.
More about VAR Controversy
- BBC Sport: Euro 2024 qualifying: VAR confusion reigns as Scotland lose in Seville
- BBC Sport: Agony for Scotland as Spain defeat delays Euro spot
- BBC Sport: Reaction & all the drama as it happened
- BBC Sport: Watch highlights as Scotland lose in Spain
- BBC Sport: Podcast: ‘Dream night looked on when McTominay scored’
