World Cup

SCOTT MCTOMINAY was Hampden’s unlikely hero yet again as Scotland stunned Spain.The Scots had gone 39 years without even a sniff of a victory over the Spaniards – the last coming in a 1984 World Cup qualifier.
Scott McTominay celebrates after scoring for ScotlandCredit: Getty

On that day, Jock Stein was manager, Graeme Souness captain and Kenny Dalglish netted his last ever international goal in a famous 3-1 victory on home soil.
The Tartan Army finally have new names to sing in the rafters of Hampden Park with Steve Clarke producing a tactical masterclass and skipper Andy Robertson leading from the front.
In fact, Clarke was in the stands with his father for that ’84 classic.
On this occasion, standing in the dug-out, he must have been bursting at the seams with pride.
READ MORE IN football
Yet it is McTominay who will go down in folklore – the Manchester United midfielder firing past Chelsea’s Kepa in each half to send his nation into footballing dreamland.
McTominay may appear surplus to requirements at Old Trafford under Erik ten Hag, but he is a vital cog in Clarke’s machine having also scored twice late on to see off Cyprus last weekend.
A natural goal scorer he is not, or so we thought. Before this international break, McTominay’s one and only strike came against Israel in October 2021.
He now has five for his country, somehow scoring four in three days.
Most read in Football
BETTING SPECIAL – BEST SPORTS BETTING APPS IN THE UK

Two wins from two in a tricky qualifying group. These Scottish fans can already taste the frothy German steins awaiting them at the Euros next summer.
The stars look to be aligning. On the two other occasions Scotland have beaten Spain in a qualifier (1984 and 1957) they have gone on to reach a major tournament.
Clarke will remain grounded, as he always does, but he could not have dreamed for a better start to this campaign.
As for Spain, their miserable form continues. They were embarrassed at the Qatar World Cup by Morocco in the Last 16, ultimately costing Luis Enrique his job.
And now, under Luis de la Fuente, they are still capable of producing damaging performances to forget – their first defeat in a Euros qualifier for nine years.
De la Fuente’s gamble to make eight changes after their opening 3-0 win over Norway backfired big time, but they still should have had enough to deal with Scotland’s tenacity.
The hosts’ bright start paid off – Tottenham’s Pedro Porro slipping in his own box allowing Robertson to cut back for an unmarked McTominay after just seven minutes.
Joselu – making his first start in a Spain shirt – came closest in response, smacking the bar with a header before Porro’s long range shot forced Angus Gunn to tip over.
Spain failed to learn their lessons after the break with another tepid showing.
Read More on The Sun
McTominay grabbed his second with an identical finish in the 51st minute, this time from a Kieran Tierney delivery after a sublime drive from deep.
A display Spain want etched from their memories, while Scotland rewrote their history books.
Scott McTominay doubling Scotland’s leadCredit: Reuters More

THE greatest sporting moment of all time is England’s Lionesses winning the 2022 Euros, according to research.A poll of 2,000 sports fans found Liverpool beating AC Milan in the 2005 Champions League Final and Usain Bolt winning gold in the 100 metre race at the 2012 Olympics also made the list.
England’s Euros win last year was voted as the top sporting moment of all timeCredit: AFP
Leicester City’s Premier League title win in 2016 and the England cricket team beating New Zealand to win their first World Cup in 2019 rounded out the top five greatest moments.
While the top 30 list also included Roger Bannister breaking the four-minute mile barrier in 1954, Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” goal and “Goal of the Century” in the 1986 World Cup Final and Muhammed Ali’s ‘rumble in the jungle’ win over George Foreman in 1974.
It also emerged 72 per cent of those polled would have liked to witness some of these great moments in person.
The research was commissioned by Visit Anaheim — which works to promote tourism to Anaheim, California — as it sponsors both the Los Angeles Angels’ Spring Training and their minor league baseball team in Salt Lake City, Utah.
READ MORE ON FOOTBALL
Spokesperson Jay Burress, said: “Most sports fans know the highs and the lows that come from supporting a team or an athlete.
“We wanted to see which moments were the most memorable, but also to see the lengths that fans are willing to go to, in order to see their favourite competition, live and in person.
“There are so many great sporting moments to choose from but clearly these have stuck with people and had an impact.
“It’s amazing how sport as a whole can really bring people together and I’m sure there are plenty of more great sporting moments to come in the future.”
Most read in Football
FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
Dennis Taylor defeating Steve Davis for the World Snooker Championship in 1985 and Mbappe’s comeback hat-trick in the 2022 World Cup final also featured in the list of sporting moments.
But while they can’t guarantee a moment as exciting as those featured on the list, 22 per cent of respondents have a trip planned in 2023 to see a specific sporting event.
Football was most popular sport to watch (81 per cent), followed by tennis (33 per cent) and cricket (19 per cent).
And 66 per cent have seen their favourite team play in person.
A third have gone abroad for a sports game and are willing to travel an average of five hours and 36 minutes, spending £420.60.
It also found two thirds have a favourite team, with 23 per cent of those taking a spontaneous trip to see them play.
A host of iconic sporting moments, like Leicester’s miraculous 2016 title win, feature on the listCredit: Getty Images – Getty
And 93 per cent will continue to support their favourite team, regardless of whether they win or lose.
Of those polled, via OnePoll, 23 per cent have gone as far as planning a holiday around when and where their favourite team is playing.
Burress added: “There’s nothing quite like seeing your favourite team play in person, and sports are a great thing to plan a holiday around.
“Still, it’s good to head to a destination where there’s something for the whole family to enjoy, and where there are a variety of activities nearby so you have options once you’ve finished cheering your team on at the stadium.
Read More on The Sun
“Sports are a big part of people’s lives and holidays are too which is why combining the two could make a great trip.
“Who knows, the next time you see your favourite team, it could end up being another one of the greatest sporting moments of all time.”
Top 30 Sporting Moments of All TimeThe top 30 sporting moments are…
1.            England Lionesses Euros win (2022)
2.            Liverpool beat AC Milan in the Champions League Final from 3-0 down (2005)
3.            Usain Bolt winning gold in the 100m at the London Olympics (2012)
4.            Leicester City Premier League title win (2016)
5.            England cricket team beating New Zealand to win their first ever World Cup (2019)
6.            Roger Bannister breaking the 4-minute mile barrier 1954)
7.            Diego Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ and ‘Goal of the Century’ goal in the World Cup Final (1986)
8.            Muhammed Ali’s ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ win over George Foreman (1974)
9.            Dennis Taylor defeating Steve Davis for the World Snooker Championship (1985)
10.         Mbappe’s comeback hat-trick in the World Cup final (2022)
11.         David Beckham’s star-making goal from the halfway line against Wimbledon (1996)
12.         Unseeded Boris Becker’s Wimbledon win aged just 17 (1985)
13.         Cristiano Ronaldo’s bicycle kick in the Champions League quarterfinals (2018)
14.         Roger Federer winning his 20th Grand Slam title (2018)
15.         Serena Williams winning her first Wimbledon title (2002)
16.         Michael Schumacher’s seven World Championship wins in Formula One Racing (2004)
17.         Pele scoring the 1,000th goal in his career (1969)
18.         Jenson Button and Brawn GP winning the Formula One world championship (2009)
19.         The football World Cup taking place in Qatar (2022)
20.         Goran Ivanišević winning Wimbledon as a wildcard entrant (2001)
21.         Michael Phelps becoming the most decorated Olympian with 22 medals (2008)
22.         The first Olympic Games in ancient Greece (776 BC)
23.         Greece winning Euro 2004 (2004)
24.         Tiger Woods winning the Masters, his first major victory in over a decade (2019)
25.         Denmark win the European football champions (1992)
26.         Japan beat South Africa in the Rugby World Cup (2015)
27.         Wigan Athletic FA Cup win (2013)
28.         Wimbledon’s FA cup winning side (1988)
29.         The “Miracle on Ice” in the 1980 Winter Olympics
30.         Andy Ruiz Jnr knocking out Anthony Joshua (2019) More

STEVEN GERRARD has singled out Jude Bellingham for praise and said the Dortmund star is “far better” than he was at the same age. The 19-year-old produced another solid display as England comfortably beat Ukraine.
Jude Bellingham received special praise from his hero after the gameCredit: Getty
Bellingham was also one of the stars of the show in the Three Lions’ brilliant first-half display and win against Italy earlier this week.
The midfielder joined Channel 4’s TV pundits after the Wembley win to discuss the game.
Alongside Gerrard was England Euros winner Jill Scott, Ukraine’s Andriy Shevchenko and Joe Cole.
Bellingham could not hide his glee at being stood next to Liverpool legend Gerrard.
READ MORE ENGLAND NEWS
He said: “Definitely [Gerrard is a role model]. The things that Stevie could do in terms of the way he could carry a team and the way he could single-handedly win a game and do everything as a midfielder.
“I’ve said it all the time that I looked up to you and your game and it’s a pleasure to be stood here right now.”
In response, a flattered Gerrard said: “Let me tell you right now that you’re a lot further ahead than I was at your age so you’re heading in the right direction.”
When pressed for more explanation, Gerrard prompted laughter from Bellingham and his fellow pundits when he said: “Well for one, he’s got a better body than I had at 19…”
Most read in Football
FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
Liverpool fans were loving the respectful interaction between the pair with Bellingham linked with the Reds amid frenzied transfer speculation.
One said: “Bellingham flirting with Liverpool again, with agent Gerrard in attendance.”
Another said: “Liverpool fans will enjoy this… any doubt that Jude Bellingham admirers Steven Gerrard and Liverpool dispelled here.
“This kid is so impressive on and off the pitch.”
While another joked: “Jude Bellingham and Steven Gerrard… get a room”.
The former Birmingham man continues to impress for club and country and was one of the star players in the Qatar World Cup.
For Dortmund this season, he has 10 goals in 34 appearances in all competitions. More