Scott McTominay has surpassed Cristiano Ronaldo and Harry Kane as the joint top scorer in European Championship qualifying, with Scotland on the verge of qualifying for next year’s tournament.
McTominay extended Scotland’s perfect record in Group A by defeating Cyprus 3-0 on a night when Lamine Yamal became the youngest player to score for Spain — and also the youngest player to score in a European qualifier — in a 7-1 triumph over Georgia.
McTominay, a Manchester United midfielder, scored his sixth goal in qualifying for Euro 2024, keeping Scotland ahead of Spain in the group with a maximum 15 points after five straight wins.
Scotland needs two more points to qualify for the event, which will be held in Germany.
McTominay is tied for the lead in scoring with new United teammate Rasmus Hojlund of Denmark and previous United player Romelu Lukaku of Belgium.
Ronaldo and Kane both have five goals
McTominay has also contributed to more goals than any other player during qualification, with one assist.
He credited his goal run to Scotland coach Steve Clarke.
“The manager gives me a lot of leeway to get in there and potentially make things happen,” McTominay explained. “He’s placed a lot of trust in me, and all I want to do is repay him.”
“I just want to make people happy in Scotland; that’s my job and the team’s job, and I think we’re doing a good job right now.”
McTominay scored after six minutes at Larnaca’s AEK Arena, and Ryan Porteous increased the lead in the 16th.
In the 30th, John McGinn scored his third goal.
If Norway and Georgia draw on Tuesday, Scotland will qualify without needing any more points.
Spain, in second place, has played two less games than Scotland but has six points after losing to the group leader.
