Spain, the current world champions, defeated Scotland by a 3-2 margin en route to Euro 2012. The Spanish team arrived in Scotland knowing that this would not be an easy game. Craig Levein, the Scottish head coach, had developed a very good tactical plan against its last rival Czech Republic, and would probably use it again against Spain. Levein’s game plan was based on the counterattack. While Spain took control of the game from the beginning, the very defensive game of the Scottish prevented the Spaniards from getting too close to their goal. During the first 15 minutes of play, the visiting team managed to create four shots on goal. David Villa and David Silva were in charge the two offensive players making the difference in the Spanish attack. In the midst of this action, the Scots sought ways to open the score. Defender Stephen McNamus was able to dribble pass a couple of defenders and clear some space to shot on goal. However, the defender Gerrard Pique was faster than McNamus and blocked his path. After that, Spain began to move more comfortably through the field. In the Absence of Xavi Hernandez on account of injury, Vicente Del Bosque, coach of the Spanish fleet, put in Xabi Alonso. The midfielder was in charge of moving the team from the center of the pitch into the rival area. Alonso was having issues with short passes, so he chose to make longer passes. Silva had a very good chance at goal with one of Alonso’s passes, but Allan McGregor, the Scott goalkeeper, prevented the goal with his feet. A few minutes later, Villa also tried to score with a header but the ball went directly on to the Scottish goalkeeper's hands. Spain continued to control the match but could not complete its play. For its part, the Scots were still concentrated in the area determined to complicate the situation to the visitors, who could not pass through the local defense. On the few occasions that Scotland entered the Spanish zone, Darren Fletcher tried to create dangerous moves against the goal of Iker Casillas. Spanish defender Joan Capdevila blocked Fletcher’s shot almost over the goal line. These were the first and most clear shots of the Scots. Spain first big chance to score came from a foul inside the area by Steven Whittaker, who touched the ball with his hand after a shot by Sergio Ramos. David Villa was on hand to collect the penalty successfully with a minute to go in the first half. With this goal, Villa leads the Furia Roja’s offense with most goals scored. Spain began the second half trying to extend their winning margin. The team kept pushing the locals, which by this point in the match looked inferior. Silva kept trying, but it was Andrs Iniesta who scored after 55 minutes. Scotland took advantage of a little carelessness of the Spaniards to make it 2-1 after 58 minutes. At 66 minutes, Piqu made an own goal that tied the game. Although the game was totally controlled by the Spanish team, it seemed that the Scottish would have the opportunity to win. Vicente Del Bosque made one last substitution to change the fate of the game. Silva was replaced by Fernando Llorente (min 76); this gave a twist to the game. Only three minutes were enough for Spain to regain the lead on the scoreboard with an excellent goal from Llorente after 79 minutes. Spain has three points, and is now in the first place (9pts) of Group I in the qualifying stage of Euro 2012.
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