It was difficult for Spain to build the revolution and it did so with patience and the energy of Bryan Zaragoza. Stray, dribbler, scoundrel, he was the type of footballer that Scotland were not going to know how to stop. Anarchy versus order. 22 years that did not weigh on him, nor having played a single minute as an international in his entire life. Of course, his nerves barely let him sleep, something that not even Luis de la Fuente knew. I was going to play for Spain and, furthermore, I would do so with number 10. «When they gave me the number I was amazed. I've worked my whole life for this, but I didn't think it would come so soon. “This shirt is for my father,” the young player admitted in the bowels of the Cartuja.
If he was a protagonist on the field, he will be the same in the concentration hotel. He was reminded by who has been his unexpected godfather in this debut: Álvaro Morata. “I knew what he is like as a player, but better as a person. I've been here for two days and he has treated me like a son,” admitted the man from Malaga.. For the debut, and perhaps for that comment that puts years on the captain, he will have to pay: “Someone is going to have to sing tonight…”, warned the scorer before remembering that he will exercise his captaincy as he saw it in “Iker Casillas, Fernando Torres or Koke in my team.”
Bryan lit the spark that woke up Spain, but he and Sancet, with the help of Porteous, scored the goals. For Morata, the 34th brings him closer to David Silva (35) and Torres (38). “I've had one before that has grazed the stick. “We haven't made many chances but, as long as we win, I don't care if I score or not.”. He wanted to share the merit with Jesús Navas. “At 38 years old it is amazing. I knew that he was going to give me a perfect ball and that I just had to position myself well. I freak out when I look at it every day.”
“Our greatest virtue, patience”
We had to fight for that victory in a leaden game. “Our greatest virtue has been patience,” Rodri acknowledged.. De la Fuente sought agitation in the second half because his team had crashed into a concrete wall. He put together an eleven of players that is beginning to be recognizable, led by Rodri and with Morata at the helm who had to be able to crack the group leaders. It was not going to be easy because Scotland is firmly on its feet: not only did they suffer a tough defeat in March but, with one more game, they had only conceded one goal in this phase of the qualification: Haaland scored it, from a penalty, and did not served Norway to win.
The Tartan Army is like a Roman legion capable of protecting itself in a turtle formation to save the points that bring it closer to the Euro Cup. Spain needed a spark on the wings that neither Oyarzabal nor Ferran could have, who wasted a one-on-one at the start. The post spit out a shot from Merino and Morata, with his constant presence in the area, was not successful. That was all the team could do in the 20 meters that Scotland left them. Gavi appeared little and Balde nothing, who ended up injured and will not travel to Norway. That's why De la Fuente didn't hesitate to look at the bench.. Without Lamine Yamal and with Nico Williams in the stands, and now on his way to Bilbao and replaced by Villarreal player Alfonso Pedraza, the poison had to come from Bryan Zaragoza.
Navas, decisive
The man from Malaga shook the duel with three dribbles and a shot in the first minute he was on the pitch. The game was still focused on Gunn's goal, but the scare came in Unai Simón's. A foul by Carvajal on the side of the area was sent by McTominay to the back of the goal with a screw shot. However, the VAR detected the offside of a Scotsman who interfered with the start of the Spanish goalkeeper.. Scotland was not yet guaranteed a ticket to Germany.
Spain sought not to lose patience and explore all options, but insisted on lateral centers without luck until it had to be associated with Navas and Morata. The veteran Sevilla captain, the only world champion still dressed as an international, dribbled past McGregor and sent a perfect ball towards Morata's head.
The icing on the cake was put by another goal man: Joselu. This time it was not because of a shot, but because of the mischief of pressing Hickey's slip to place a ball on the penalty spot that Porteous or Sancet ended up pushing. Who cares, although UEFA rewards the Navarrese's debut by giving him the goal. He and Fran García will not be spared from singing either.