McGinn slams Scotland VAR decision - "You need to be very careful what you say"

13 October 2023 , 07:41

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McGinn slams Scotland VAR decision - "You need to be very careful what you say"

John McGinn blasted the VAR decision that left Scotland waiting to confirm their place at Euro 2024.

Steve Clarke's side needed a point to book their spot at next summer's tournament in Germany, but were left fuming after fresh VAR controversy. Scott McTominay, fresh from his dramatic late winning double at the weekend for Manchester United, scored a stunning angled free-kick in the 59th minute to put Scotland ahead.

But the goal was referred to a VAR check and was initially disallowed for an alleged foul by Scotland's Jack Hendry on Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon. Yet UEFA later confirmed the goal was ruled out for offside against Hendry, with Scotland and Aston Villa star McGinn furious at the decision.

“It's very difficult to win here and, under the circumstances, it was near enough impossible,” said McGinn. "You need to be very careful what you say. I think everyone watching that game tonight from a Scotland point of view, wherever you were, it just felt like we weren't getting any decisions.

"You need a perfect performance here to win, everything to align, and it was just never going to happen. He [the referee] changed it in-game, which is the frustrating thing, which shows it wasn't clear and obvious.

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“I don't know if clear and obvious is a European VAR thing, but at that moment, Jack makes a decision to step to the other side, maybe he could stay. Is he going to save it? Absolutely no chance. No goalkeeper in the world is going to save that.

"However, he's saying at one point it's a foul, he then changes it to offside, because he realises it isn't a foul, and it's a big, big moment. That goal qualifies us, because they need to score two, so it is a bit of a hammer blow, it is tough to take, but sometimes these things go for you and tonight it was never going to go for us.”

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Scott McTominay's goal was ruled out after a VAR check (Getty Images)

Alvaro Morata's 73rd-minute header broke Scotland's brave resistance, with Oihan Sancet's scruffy goal three minutes from time sealing victory for Spain. Five wins from five had taken Scotland to the brink of qualification, but Clarke's side must now wait to confirm their place.

That could happen as soon as Sunday, if Norway fail to beat Spain in Oslo's Ullevaal Stadium, meaning Scotland would qualify. If not, a point from their final two Group A games, away to Georgia on November 16 and at home to Norway three days later, would be enough for Scotland.

Scotland suffered a blow just before the break when skipper and Liverpool defender Andy Robertson was forced off with a suspected dislocated shoulder.

David McDonnell