Euro 2024 Qualifiers Group A: Can McTominay Threaten Spain Again? Norway's Slim Chances of Qualification

The UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifiers continue in Group A in the early hours of October 13th (Beijing time), with Spain seeking to avenge their earlier defeat to Scotland and reclaim the top spot in the group. In their previous encounter, Scotland emerged victorious with a 2-0 win at home, thanks to a brace from Scott McTominay. Fresh off a two-goal performance for Manchester United in the Premier League, McTominay will be aiming to bring his scoring boots to Seville. Meanwhile, Norway, currently third in the group, faces a tough path to direct qualification and even a playoff spot looks unlikely, potentially keeping Erling Haaland from next year's Euro tournament.

Spain vs. Scotland - Will McTominay Shine Again?

Spain finds themselves six points behind group leaders Scotland with a game in hand, making this match crucial for their ambitions to top the group. In their last encounter, Spain suffered a 2-0 defeat away to Scotland. At the time, it was only Luis de la Fuente's second match in charge, leading many fans to question his capability, given his lack of experience with top-tier clubs as both a player and coach. However, de la Fuente has since silenced his critics by leading Spain to victory in the Nations League, defeating European champions Italy and World Cup third-place finishers Croatia to clinch the title.

Building on this momentum, de la Fuente's Spain convincingly defeated Georgia and Cyprus in the September qualifiers, improving their goal difference to surpass Scotland's. However, UEFA's head-to-head tiebreaker rules mean that this direct encounter with Scotland will be pivotal for Spain's chances of securing the top spot in the group.

Scotland has been impressive in this qualifying campaign, overcoming strong teams like Spain and Norway, as well as Georgia. A draw in this match would secure their second consecutive appearance at the Euros, a feat they have only achieved once before, in 1992 and 1996. Despite having several Premier League regulars, Scotland lacks standout stars. Andrew Robertson, Scott McTominay, and John McGinn may not be household names globally, but under the tactical guidance of coach Steve Clarke, they perform effectively as a unit.

McTominay, who scored twice against Spain in their previous meeting and recently rescued Manchester United with a brace, will be crucial again. However, Spain's formidable home record in Euro qualifiers—24 consecutive wins—makes it difficult to believe Scotland can pull off another upset. Spain is expected to edge out a 2-1 victory, leaving Scotland with the advantage in the race for the top spot.

Cyprus vs. Norway - Is Haaland Reaching His Peak?

Cyprus is one of six teams yet to earn a point in this Euro qualifying campaign. Unlike the other five, Cyprus still has a slim chance of reaching the playoffs, although this hope may be extinguished after this match. Their primary aim will likely be to limit the damage against Norway, as they currently have one of the worst defensive records in the qualifiers, with only San Marino and Liechtenstein conceding more goals.

Norway's campaign got off to a disastrous start, with just one point from their first three matches, putting their qualification hopes in serious jeopardy. Their poor performance in the Nations League further diminishes their chances of securing a playoff spot, making it essential for them to surpass either Scotland or Spain to qualify directly.

Erling Haaland, often touted as a future star alongside Kylian Mbappe, has faced criticism for his inability to perform against top teams and his perceived reliance on service from teammates. His recent performance against Arsenal in the Premier League, where he struggled even in physical duels, has raised questions about his effectiveness when he cannot exploit his speed. Nevertheless, Haaland remains a prolific scorer and is nine goals away from becoming Norway's all-time leading scorer. This match against Cyprus provides a prime opportunity for him to inch closer to that record. Norway is expected to secure a 2-0 victory, keeping their slim qualification hopes alive.

As the Euro 2024 qualifiers progress, Spain and Scotland continue to battle for the top spot in Group A, while Norway clings to a faint hope of qualification. The outcomes of these matches will be crucial in determining who will advance to next summer's tournament.