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  • Spain 3-1 Scotland: Silva double, Villa scored

    David Silva scored twice as Spain ended Scotland's faint Euro 2012 qualifying hopes with a predictable 3-1 victory in Alicante, Tuesday 11/10/2011.
    Scotland knew they had to defeat the world and European champions away from home to claim a play-off spot if Group I rivals Czech Republic downed Lithuania in Kaunas.

    That unlikely prospect was buried early on in both matches as Silva cracked Jordi Alba's run and pass under visiting goalkeeper Allan McGregor on six minutes to give Spain the lead.

    A penalty from Michal Kadlec on two minutes and two more goals from Jan Rezek (16, 45) enabled the visiting side to open up a 3-0 lead over a poor Lithuania team at half-time on their way to a one-sided 4-1 victory. Darvydas Sernas and Kadlec shared penalties in the second period, but the visiting side's play-off place was already in the bag.



    Scotland's prospects became bleaker when Silva tucked away his second goal of the game on 44 minutes when he worked a lovely one-two with Pedro before slamming a shot through the legs of Christophe Berra from 18 yards to give his side a 2-0 advantage as McGregor failed to claw it out.

    Spain moved 3-0 clear on 54 minutes courtesy of David Villa's 50th goal in 80 appearances for his country before Scotland rallied in the final 35 minutes as substitute David Goodwillie tucked away a penalty on 65 minutes after Victor Valdes had fouled the tireless Craig Mackail-Smith.

    Scotland's long absence from a major tournament finals will continue at least until the World Cup finals in Brazil 2014. They last qualified for such a competition at the World Cup finals of 1998.

    Spain ran out group winners with a perfect record of 24 points from eight games with the Czechs collecting 13 points in second spot from their eight outings. Scotland finished on 11 points.

    Credits: Eurosport



    Team Line-up:

    Spain: Valdes, Pique, Puyol, Alba, Villa, Xavi, Sergio Ramos, Busquets, Pedro Rodriguez, Cazorla, Silva

    Scotland: McGregor, Hutton, Bardsley, Caldwell, Berra, Bannan, Fletcher, Morrison, Naismith, Adam, Mackail-Smith.

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