UEFA EURO 2020 Group D
England 0 - 0 Scotland
Friday, 18 June 2021
Hampden Park, Glasgow

Scotland produced an spirited performance in the second group stage match of UEFA EURO 2020 with a hard-fought 0-0 draw against England at Wembley.

After suffering a 2-0 defeat at Hampden on Monday, Steve Clarke and his players were under pressure to get something from the trip to London to keep their hopes of progressing from Group D alive.

Across 90 minutes against the Auld Enemy, Clarke’s men certainly produced the goods with a performance that perhaps merited more than just a point again Gareth Southgate’s side.

TEAM NEWS

Steve Clarke was boosted by the return of Kieran Tierney after his absence for the opening match against Czech Republic, with Performance School star Billy Gilmour making his first start for the Men’s A squad. Ché Adams and Callum McGregor were also among the changes for Clarke as he searched for a big performance in London.

AS IT HAPPENED

Scotland produced a terrific first half showing against the Auld Enemy, creating a number of good chances at Wembley.

Within the first five minutes, a lovely move from the Scots opened up England with some zippy, one-touch passing. Stephen O'Donnell drilled in a cross from the right, Che Adams, taking a touch and getting his shot away, forced a block from John Stones in front of his goalkeeper.

Despite the positive start, the hosts threatened to take the lead a couple of times in quick succession.

The first chance came from a rare slack moment from Steve Clarke’s men. From a corner, John Stones rose highest and, completely unmarked, sent his header crashing off the post.

Moment later, Scott McTominay was caught in possession near his own penalty area. Raheem Sterling raced away and set up a shooting chance for Mason Mount, who stabbed a first-time effort inches wide.

Midway through the opening 45, Tierney tried his luck from range on his weaker right foot, threatening to trouble Pickford but failing to hit the target as the England stopper watched gratefully on as it flashed wide.

On the stroke of half hour, Stephen O’Donnell so nearly produced a sensational moment to open the scoring.

Kieran Tierney and Andy Robertson linked down the left flank, with the former cutting back from the byline to send in a looping cross. O'Donnell, watching it all the way, cracked a brilliant volley on target, only for Jordan Pickford to get down and push it away. The ball then popped up for Che Adams but the forward couldn’t react quickly enough and headed narrowly wide.

England came out for the second half fired up, with Scotland skipper Andy Robertson being called upon to produce a superbly well timed interception to deny the hosts from taking the lead. However, the home side immediately came again and Mason Mount fizzed in a low shot that Marshall had to push round the post.

Down the other end of the pitch, Lyndon Dykes was denied in perhaps the closest moment either side came to opening the scoring in the match.

From a corner, the ball dropped kindly for the QPR forward and, on the turn, he lashed in a shot that looked almost certainly net-bound before Reece James  backtracked to head it away.

With 15 minutes remaining, Clarke introduced Stuart Armstrong in place of Gilmour, who got a tremendous response from the travelling support following a brilliant showing in the middle of the park.

To a man, Scotland stood up to the monumental task that stood in front of them as they held on for a point in London.

A late goalmouth scramble encapsulated a spirited performance as Clarke’s men held firm to ensure they kept their clean sheet and a valuable point, which sets up a huge task at Hampden in the final Group D fixture with Croatia.

NEXT UP

It’s back to Hampden for Scotland, with Croatia the final opponents in Group D for Clarke’s side, who know a win could put them in with a huge chance of progressing to the knockout stages for the first time.