A Scottish newspaper was criticised after publishing a front page in support of Spain ahead of their European Championship final with England.

Under the headline ‘Time for Revenge,’ pro-independence daily The National urged the Spaniards to ‘save us from an England win or we’ll never hear the end of it.’

The tongue-in-cheek splash went on to reel off a list of reasons why Spain might have been doubly motivated to put one over on the English in Sunday’s final.

“Every summer they fill up your beaches. They drink all your beer. They mess up your plazas. They eat fried breakfasts all day instead of your wonderful food,” it said.

But the Newsquest-owned title looked to have scored an own goal with some journalists with the light-hearted front page, which was published on Saturday.

David Clegg, editor of Dundee dailies The Courier and the Evening Telegraph, posted on X: “Hello England. Been in Scotland 24 years and I can confirm they’re not this tedious.”

Investigative reporter and former Scotsman chief reporter Gethin Chamberlanin commented: “Apart from the tedious pettiness, that’s a truly dreadful front page.

“It’s a day too soon. It’s an awful main image. The clutter. The class-based failure to grasp that Scots go to Spain for cheap holidays too. This is why good subs are worth their weight in gold.”

And political commentator Ian Dunt wrote: “Scotland is one of the greatest countries on earth. And this is such a tiny minded pitiful little newspaper.”

The National ultimately got its wish, however, as Spain won the game 2-1.