Unai Simon leaps to Scotland no goal row ref Serdar Gozubuyuk's defence as he insists there was CLEAR offside
The goalkeeper reckons Dutch ref Serdar Gozubuyuk got the big call right in Seville as Scott McTominay's goal was chopped off.
Spain keeper Unai Simon says it was the RIGHT decision to rule out Scott McTominay ’s wonder strike for Scotland.
The midfielder’s free-kick in Seville on Thursday night was chalked off by VAR - firstly for a foul in the box - then offside. Controversial Dutch ref Serdar Gozubuyuk left McTominay and boss Steve Clarke gutted after their crucial Euro 2024 qualifier, which the Spanish eventually won 2-0. The SFA are seeking answers from UEFA on how VAR officials arrived at the decision.
But Athletic Bilbao goalie Simon, who was nudged by Scotland’s Jack Hendry as McTominay’s strike flew past him, insists they got the call spot on. He’s adamant that Hendry was impeding him in the box, meaning the goal was never going to stand. Simon said: “For me, the play wasn’t normal for several reasons.
“There was a Scottish player bothering me in the six-yard box and clearly offside. I also saw pushing and shoving of my other team-mates in the area.
“So the referee had to review it and I think the decision was fair. It was a good free-kick by McTominay but the play wasn’t legal. I thought it was normal that the referee consulted VAR. I would have done the same.”
Simon believes Scotland got what they deserved in midweek because Luis de la Fuente’s team were the better side. Now, Clarke and the Tartan Army need the Spanish to do them a favour in Oslo tonight by avoiding defeat to Norway.
That will clinch Scotland’s place at Euro 2024 in Germany next summer. And the keeper has assured them that Spain will go all out for three points against Erling Haaland and Co.
Simon said: “Spain played better than Scotland and had more clear scoring chances. I think our victory was deserved but it was hard work. We knew it would be a complicated match because Scotland aren’t in first place in the group by chance.
“We need one more win to be certain of qualification and we have three games left. We’re going to Norway for the win. Our challenge was always to finish first in this group and that’s what we want. This match will be different to the Scotland game because Norway needs to risk everything.”