England 0-0 Scotland
A revival of the world’s oldest international match; the ‘auld enemy’ clash,
although as I predicted beforehand, more a case of ‘David versus Goliath’.
Well, we all know how that story ended and here was another victory for the underdog.
A Euro 2020 draw it may have been, but it must have felt like a victory for the Tartan Army and their passionate following who crammed inside Wembley – an at times drenched Wembley in the height of summer.
For it was Steve Clarke’s underdogs who deserve the plaudits for a showing against their arch-rivals who were not only playing on home soil but are 40 places above them in the world rankings.
From the outset, the SBOTOP Euro 2020 betting odds were stacked against the visitors, certainly lacking the individual quality of the Scottish side which last won a European Championship match, back at Villa Park in 1996.
Yet amid some fine individual displays, the collective won the day, dampening their much more illustrious counterparts and grabbing a point which means their hopes of qualifying for the last 16 remain in their own hands.
As Roy Keane said to the televised audience of millions, ‘desire and hunger’ won the day.
Highlights of the game
That was reflected all over the pitch but special mention to their midfield with the likes of Billy Gilmour – mature and composed on his first international start – John McGinn and Scott McTominay covering every inch of grass.
Now a sporting contest rather than a generation-defining cultural event, very much reflecting on how times have changed, the Euro 2020 highlights saw both sides go close early on.
After Stephen O’Donnell – another impressive player in blue – pulled the ball back for Che Adams he saw his goalbound shot blocked by John Stones.
At the other end, an England corner was met by John Stones who leapt early and thumped a header from close range against the post.
Backed on by the majority of fans inside Wembley, England were expected to follow up their opening success against Croatia and had that header gone in, it may have been different.
From that moment, though, Scotland had the edge.
Captain Andrew Robertson surged down the left and lofted a cross which O’Donnell met with a volley destined for the bottom corner until goalkeeper Jordan Pickford sprung to his right.
England started the second half brightly and Kieran Tierney was alert to hack away a low Luke Shaw cross which was bound for Harry Kane before David Marshall palmed away a long-range drive from Chelsea’s Mason Mount.
Scotland then twice more came close. Southampton man Che Adams was unable to capitalise after a Lyndon Dykes strike deflected into his path off Stones.
From the resulting corner, Dykes hooked a shot which was set to break the deadlock but for a vital headed clearance from Reece James.
It didn’t go in but Scotland had a great point and had subdued England on their own rain-sodden turf.
Very few had predicted that.
Key statistics
This was England’s 17th goalless draw at a major tournament, two more than any other nation in the history of those competitions.
England’s starting XI, with an average age of 25 years and 31 days, was their youngest ever in a game at a major tournament (World Cup and European Championships).
This was Luke Shaw’s first appearance for England at a major tournament since June 2014 against Costa Rica in the World Cup – 2,551 days ago. The only two players with longer gaps between tournament appearances for the Three Lions are Martin Keown (2,917 days, 1992-2000) and Tony Adams (2,912 days, 1988-96).
England and Scotland have now faced each other 115 times in what is the oldest rivalry in world football. However, this was only their second-ever clash at a major international competition.
They met in the first ever official international match, a goalless draw in Glasgow in November 1872.
Scotland’s squad is the least experienced at Euro 2020 with just 498 international caps shared between the 26 players and only one of them, 38-year-old goalkeeper Craig Gordon, with over 50 to his name. It is also the squad with the fewest international goals – a collective tally of just 36, with John McGinn, on 10, the lone player to have reached double figures.
England have won seven of their last eight matches in all competitions, keeping a clean sheet in seven of those outings.
What’s next?
These nations will compete their Group D schedule on Tuesday night (June 22) with England entertaining the Czech Republic, again at Wembley, while Scotland head back up north and host Croatia at Hampden Park.
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