Threesy does it: David Villa scored shortly after the break for Spain

What a goal it was, however. Del Bosque’s team passed the ball around seemingly forever as Scotland chased after it like greyhounds pursuring a hare.

Eventually, as the pass count neared 40, left back Jordi Alba found space down the left after Barry Bannan had  failed to track his run. The cutback was duly turned in by the magnificent Silva albeit McGregor looked at fault as the ball was squeezed past him.

Seconds later Alan Hutton had to block a shot from Villa but, remarkably, Levein’s men had a ninth-minute chance to respond - Bannan hitting a great delivery from wide left and Steven Naismith  just a yard short of reaching it with his head.

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