The two teams are vying for the top spot in their region, and this piece examines why securing first place carries real value for both sides.
Spain’s national team has opened its qualifying campaign for Euro 2024 with a goal that confirms their place at the continental finals next Sunday, October 15, 2023. The moment marked more than a single goal; it established momentum and underscored Spain’s intent to compete at the highest level this tournament year.
With a victory over Norway in Oslo, achieved thanks to a strike from Gavi, Luis de la Fuente’s squad moved a step closer to qualification. The win mathematically seals Spain’s ticket to the European Championship and, incidentally, confirms Scotland’s progression as well in the same phase, reflecting how the two nations have driven Group A toward a decisive finish.
Currently, the Spaniards and the Scots share the lead in Group A with 15 points each. Even though both teams have already secured qualification, finishing first in the group remains a priority. The higher the position, the more favorable the seeding and the less challenging the potential opponents in the group draw for the Euro 2024 finals.
How important is it for Spain and Scotland to finish first or second in Group A heading into the 2024 European Championship in Germany?
There is a notable difference between finishing first and finishing second in Group A during the qualifying phase. The team that finishes atop the group will face a seemingly simpler path in the final tournament draw, avoiding some of the strongest rivals early on and potentially easing travels and logistics across Germany in the event schedule.
Both Spain and Scotland, who have each defeated the other twice in this qualifying cycle with a 2-0 scoreline in their encounters, still have two games left to play in Group A. In a scenario where their point totals are identical, Spain currently holds the advantage in goal difference, which would give La Roja the top seed in that tie-break scenario.
This is group A
* Spain and Scotland have already qualified; the remaining question is which nation will finish first to determine their placement in the Euro 2024 finals.