🇪🇺 Spain and Croatia record routs; Scotland cruise; Portugal scrape win | OneFootball

The latest round of Euro 2024 qualifiers got underway on Friday.

Here’s what went down.

Historic Spain put Georgia to the sword

Scorers: Chakvetadze 49′; Morata 22′, 40′, 65′, Kvirkvelia (OG) 28′, Olmo 38′, Williams 68′, Yamal 74′

Spain ran riot over Georgia in their latest Euro 2024 qualifier to make up ground on Group A leaders Scotland.

It was not long before Luis de la Fuente’s side engineered a breakthrough as Marco Asensio’s curling cross was met with a downward header from Álvaro Morata.

A second followed for La Roja just six minutes later when Solomon Kvirkvelia turned a low delivery from Dani Olmo into his own net with an outstretched leg.

Olmo added a third shortly before half-time in Tblisi by drilling past Giorgi Mamardashvili before Morata doubled his tally by firing home from close range.

History was also made as Lamine Yamal became his country’s youngest-ever debutant in replacing an injured Olmo towards the end of the opening 45 minutes.

Giorgi Chakvetadze reduced the hosts’ deficit early in the second half with a shot which squirmed past Unai Simón and into the Nations League holders’ net.

But Morata killed off their hopes of a potential fightback by completing his hat-trick after Mikel Merino played him in for a squeezed finish.

Substitute Nico Williams compounded Georgia’s misery just three minutes on with a superb individual effort drilled through Mamardashvili’s legs.

Yamal completed a memorable senior international bow by producing a curling finish to become Spain’s youngest-ever scorer as well as debutant.

Scotland on cusp of qualifying after Cyprus coast

Scorers: McTominay 6′, Porteous 16′, McGinn 30′

Scotland moved a step closer to sealing their place at Euro 2024 with a comfortable win over Cyprus.

Scott McTominay became the qualifiers’ joint top scorer by heading home John McGinn’s flick-on from an Andy Robertson cross.

A second followed for the visitors shortly after a quarter of an hour when Ryan Porteous volleyed in from close-range.

The Scots added a touch of clash on 30 minutes courtesy of McGinn curling a sumptuous strike past a powerless Joël Mall.

Although Steve Clarke’s side were unable to extend their advantage in the second half, they were still good value for their lead.

They are now set to wrap up qualification with just two points now required from their final three games.

Five-star Croatia keep the pressure on

Scorers: Petković 3′, 44′, Ivanušec 13′, Kramarić 68′, Pašalić 78′

Croatia kept pressure on Armenia and Turkey in Group D with a five-goal demolition of bottom side Latvia.

Bruno Petković opened the scoring for the 2018 World Cup finalists with a stunning long-range free kick in the third minute.

The hosts doubled their advantage just 10 minutes later courtesy of Luka Ivanušec pouncing on Nils Purins parried Petković’s initial effort.

Petković extended his personal tally just before the interval by sliding home Ivan Perišić’s cutback at the far post.

Zlatko Dalić’s side went further ahead after the interval when Andrej Kramarić swept home from Borna Barišić’s set piece.

A fifth followed in the closing stages as Mario Pašalić produced an impressive run and shot to gift-wrap their victory.

Portugal retain top spot with win in Slovakia

Scorers: Fernandes 43′

Portugal consolidated their place as Group J leaders courtesy of a cagey win over Slovakia.

Roberto Martinez’s side late first half lead through Bruno Fernandes’ solo effort that culminated in a tight-angled finish.

But the Seleção had to sit tight for the remainder of their outing in Bratislava as their hosts continued to provide a stern challenge.

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