England held by Scotland in unimpressive Euro 2020 display
Posted Saturday, June 19, 2021 by PA
Lacklustre England were held to a goalless draw by Scotland as Steve Clarke’s well-drilled side gave their hopes of reaching the Euro 2020 knockout phase a much-needed shot in the arm.
International football’s oldest rivals locked horns for the 115th time in Friday’s eagerly-anticipated Group D clash, where the crackling atmosphere belied the restricted attendance of 20.306 at Wembley.
England knew victory against their fierce foes would seal progress to the round of 16 with a match to spare, but Scotland dug deep and gave Gareth Southgate’s side a few scares as they sealed a deserved 0-0 draw.
Having ended their 23-year absence from major tournaments with an underwhelming loss to the Czech Republic on Monday, Clarke’s men would have been in a perilous position had they lost to the Three Lions.
But the wounded Scots rallied well in London, where Stephen O’Donnell saw an excellent volley met by an equally impressive save by Jordan Pickford in a first half that started with John Stones rattling the woodwork.
England failed to muster a shot on target during the opening period and did not improve much after the break, with Southgate eventually substituting captain Harry Kane against a Scotland side who pushed until the end.
Lyndon Dykes saw the visitors’ best effort of an impressive second half effort cleared off the line by Reece James on a dank evening that saw the Tartan Army celebrate at full-time as their England counterparts booed.
An incredible din welcomed the sides out at Wembley, where fans took turns booing one another’s national anthem before joining in a powerful show of unity by applauding loudly as both sides took the knee.
Andy Robertson played onto overlapping Kieran Tierney, who cut inside and clipped a cross to the far post for O’Donnell to hit a fine volley denied by a one-handed stop. Adams missed the rebound.
It was a huge chance for a Scotland side who had now settled, with full debutant Billy Gilmour shining in midfield.
England returned from half-time strongly as Luke Shaw and Sterling saw threatening crosses cut out before Mount forced a first save of the evening out of David Marshall.
James flashed over after a spell of patient England possession, with Grant Hanley throwing himself in front of a Kane shot after Dykes and Adams failed to make a nervy moment for the hosts’ backline count.
Dykes was then a goal-line clearance away from sending the Tartan Army into raptures. Robertson drove in a corner from the right and the ball fell for the QPR striker to strike an effort that was heading close to the top-left hand corner until James got back to clear.
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