Scotland’s chances of qualifying for the Euro 2012 finals in Poland and Ukraine may hinge on them beating this summer’s World Cup winners Spain at Hampden Park.
Craig Levein’s team may go into the match second in the Group I table but their 1-0 defeat to Czech Republic on Friday may prove to be decisive in the final analysis.
Former Hearts and Dundee United manager Levein has been severely criticised for his negative tactics in Prague when he set up his team with seemingly the sole purpose of holding on for a goalless draw.
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After Roman Hubnik headed home what proved to be the winning goal in the second half, Levein’s team never looked like getting back into the match and it could prove to be a missed opportunity after the group had been blown wide open by the Czechs’ shock home loss to Lithuania last month.
That result came on the same evening as Scotland were forced to come from behind to beat perennial European minnows Liechtenstein 2-1, when massive embarrassment was only avoided by Stephen McManus’ winning goal deep into stoppage time.
Scotland had opened their campaign with a goalless draw in Lithuania, a result that appeared to have grown in value when Raimondas Zutautas’ team stunned the Czechs, but Levein’s team simply do not have the flair or goalscoring talent to trouble the likes of Spain.
The group already looks set to be a cakewalk for Spain, who have barely moved out of first gear in their victories against Liechtenstein (4-0) and Lithuania (3-1), and Scotland’s defeat in Prague suggests they will once again be absent from a major tournament.
Their last appearance in a European Championship came in 1996 and they have failed to qualify for the last three World Cups after failing to win through the group stage at France 98.
Levein has promised to adopt a more positive formation against Vicente del Bosque’s team but Spain will start the match as sportsbook favourites to secure another three points.
After being European football’s great under-achievers for so long, the likes of Xavi, Andres Iniesta and David Villa have helped to make Spain the best side in the world.
After several decades of failure at major tournaments, they won Euro 2008 before securing this summer’s World Cup and have already been installed as the online favourites to successfully defend the trophy in Poland and Ukraine in 2012.
