Spain crash Scotland...

Scotland's frail hopes of claiming a place in the Euro 2012 play-offs were strangled at birth in the Estadio Jose Rico Perez on Tuesday night.

Yes, the Scots left Alicante with pride in a fighting performance and, yes, there is plausible evidence that Craig Levein has fashioned a side that should prosper when the World Cup qualifiers begin next year.

It is also true, however, that Scotland’s defining moment in this European campaign arrived 13 months ago when a declining Czech side were permitted an almost unhindered passage to a 1-0 win in Prague by the manager’s notorious deployment of a 4-6-0 formation.

As for Tuesday night’s events, Spain — courtesy of a David Silva double and another from David Villa — were their usual purring selves. A third David — Goodwillie — imprinted himself on the records by scoring from the penalty spot after Craig Mackail-Smith had been toppled by Victor Valdes.

By way of an appetiser, the world champions delivered a masterclass in maintenance of possession. In a dazzling passage that lasted for 124 seconds, the ball flowed from one Spanish boot to another no fewer than 40 times before the move finally broke down on the frantically outstretched toe of Christophe Berra.