| Scotland 2-3 Spain For 13 minutes, Scotland dared to dream. The blunt picture shows another defeat for Craig Levein's men in their qualifying campaign and that David Villa equalled – or surpassed, depending on who you speak to – Raúl as Spain's record international goalscorer.Yet within this rousing Hampden Park occasion, of which there have been all too few in recent times, Scotland at least regained the pride lost during Friday night's embarrassment in Prague. The problem for Levein is that the attacking touch displayed against the world champions merely highlighted the error of the manager's ways in being shockingly defensive when facing the Czech Republic.Spain should have easily closed out the lead handed to them by Villa's first-half penalty and a cool finish from Andrés Iniesta, not least because of Scotland's recent failings at this level. Yet their hosts had other ideas, a sentiment that for once they could back up with positive actions. Steven Naismith scored his first international goal and, when Gerard Piqué deflected a James Morrison cross beyond his own goalkeeper, Hampden was rocking.Vicente del Bosque introduced Fernando Llorente in an attempt to stem Scotland's tide and the man nicknamed "The Lion King" showed the prowess his coach required by scoring a 79th-minute winner. "I am trying to be positive but really I feel sick," said Levein. "Every one of the players was an absolute hero, given those efforts. I went around every one of them in the dressing room and thanked them for what they did."That second-half spell showed why I wanted to be the manager of Scotland. I am disappointed with the result but I don't think the players could have had one more drop of sweat coming out of their heads."Although he has not publicly admitted it, Levein has been seriously stung by vociferous criticism of his decision not to deploy a striker for Friday's loss to the Czechs. Kenny Miller duly returned as a lone forward here, with Scotland clearly more competent in and comfortable with a 4-1-4-1 formation."I am not here to talk about what happened in the past, except for saying that if you think the players' effort on Friday wasn't exceptional then you are solely mistaken," Levein said tetchily. He had walked out of a live television interview when pressed on the subject.The Czech Republic's win in Liechtenstein last night means Scotland's next two matches – at home to the Czechs and Lithuania – are must-win games. They do not arrive until next September, meaning Levein has plenty time to contemplate the challenges ahead.Villa's menace had been apparent before the penalty which etched his name in Spanish football history. He split the Scottish defence and volleyed over after 12 minutes, before forcing Allan McGregor into a fine point-blank save on the half hour.The hosts, though, were not without attacking impetus. The impressive Morrison watched a shot crucially blocked by Piqué, with the Spain goalkeeper, Iker Casillas, stranded.Steven Whittaker's evening was one to forget. The full-back crazily used a hand to block a Sergio Ramos half-volley, a matter of seconds before the interval, which handed Villa the opportunity he has been seeking since the end of this summer's World Cup. "It was soft," said Levein, dubiously. "Maybe when we are the world champions, we will get decisions such as those."Villa scored from 12 yards, at which point it gets complicated. A "goal" from the Barcelona striker for his country against Poland this year has been disputed and credited by some as an own goal, rendering even the Spanish unclear whether his total is 44 or 45 and therefore level with Raúl or one better."The fact we can speak about Villa in the same category as Raúl is a compliment to him," was all that Del Bosque was willing to offer on the situation.Matters thereafter were at least more straightforward, and riveting. Iniesta pounced on a block from Stephen McManus to slot home, before Naismith met Miller's cross with a fine diving header.Scotland's hope was cranked up a notch as Piqué blundered under pressure. It took Llorente, who cleverly evaded McManus, to maintain Spain's flawless Group I record. There remained time for Whittaker to ensure another unwanted encounter with Ramos, the Rangers player lunging into his opponent and earning a second yellow, and therefore red, card. It was an unfitting end to a night of high-octane entertainment.Euro 2012ScotlandSpainEwan Murrayguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Liverpool takeover: High Court rule in favour of RBS and against Tom Hicks High Court paves way for sale to NESV by granting injunction against Americans, who are denied the right to appeal. telegraph.co.uk |
Roundup: After a Lost Week, Arsenal Bounces Back With a Win Arsenal fought off a second-half rally by Aston Villa to secure a 4-2 win in the English Premier League Saturday. feeds.nytimes.com |
Referee strike solutions and great goals Also this week: A blindfolded Kevin Pietersen, not-so-jolly hockey sticks and what happens when a Cruyff Turn goes wrong1) Scottish referees have voted to go on strike this weekend – someone call Jimmy Hill! Or possibly this referee? Maybe even this one? But probably not this one.2) Ice hockey sides chasing a last-ditch equaliser often remove their goalkeeper for an extra outfield player. It's a risky strategy. It's also risky to smash someone into the advertising hoardings – he may get a bit annoyed. Still, they don't make ice hockey brawls like they used to. Here's the Boston Bruins showing how it should be done, complete with superbly understated commentary.3) This week's goal of the week competition, courtesy of Andy Rodgers of Ayr United and Juventude's goalkeeper (although not all Brazilian keepers have covered themselves in glory this week). Miss of the week surely goes to Jakub Blaszczykowski and Borussia Dortmund.4) Roger Federer does it. The New Zealand rugby team do it. And now a blindfolded Kevin Pietersen and an angry Michael Vaughan have joined the fakery fun. "You're all muppets." Indeed.5) With all this English optimism washing around as the first Test begins, a stroll down The Gabba's memory lane brings with it great dollops of perspective. Here's Don Bradman's century in 1946 as Australia take their first win over England at Brisbane. Eight years later runs again come thick and fast for the home side en route to victory by an innings and 154 runs. Here's Matthew Hayden and Ricky Ponting flogging Caddick and co to all parts in 2002 and, in case you needed reminding, here's Steve Harmison doing his thing with the first ball at Brisbane in 2006. Suitably depressed? Good.6) Chauncey Billups's 75 foot travel and Birdman's Circus Shot may sound like Beatles album tracks, but they are in fact the best bits from the NBA this week.Our favourites from last week's blog1) Muhammad Ali meets his wise-cracking match as he climbs between the ropes to go toe-to-toe with Cher.2) A free climber calmly makes his way to the top of a 1,768ft tall mobile phone mast that's taller than the Empire State Building or Sears Tower. If you're afraid of heights, hang on to your desk for this. Seriously.3) OK, so this stunning bicycle kick ended up in his own net, but the River Plate defender Facundo Quiroga must be proud to have opened the scoring in his side's 3-3 draw with Racing Club courtesy of one of the great own goals.4) Eat your heart out Luke Varney.5) Formula 3000 driver Björn Wirdheim demonstrates the folly of premature celebrations in Monaco.6) On the subject of goalkeeping gaffes, Viking Stavanger's Arild Østbø attempts a Cruyff Turn with predictably hilarious consequences, while the St Louis Blues goaltender Jaro Halak manages to score against himself.Spotters' badges: Zakelius, molefromtheministry, Count Takeshi, NLondon, CanuckSpur, El Ronster, fatfreddiescat, StuartRGguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
World Cup 2018 bid: senior Fifa officials accused of receving secret payments Three senior Fifa officials have been accused of receiving millions in secret payments in 1990s. telegraph.co.uk |