Euro 2020 Day 8 - Modric : Engine of Croatia; Billy Gilmore was the difference; Sweden top Group- E

Sweden 1-0 Slovakia: Forsberg scores a penalty, Sweden currently top Group E After a poor first half, the worst 45 minutes of play in the tournament so far, Sweden upped the ante in the second half as Martin Dubravka made a superb stop from Ludwig Augustinsson's header. Newcastle goalkeeper Dubravka then gave away a penalty, fouling sub Robin Quaison in the box, allowing Forsberg to step up and score (77). Sweden's four points should be enough to guarantee them a spot in the last 16, while Slovakia, on three points, have work to do ahead of their final Group E clash against Spain. Croatia 1-1 Czech Republic: Perisic hits brilliant equaliser to earn a draw IVAN PERISIC hit a brilliant equaliser in Glasgow to salvage a point for Croatia in their 1-1 draw with Czech Republic. England 0-0 Scotland: Both teams gained a point each after a nail-biting draw ENGLAND and Scotland have gained a point each after a nail-biting draw at Wembley. The Three Lions went closest in the first half when John Stones hit the post, but were denied victory by a terrific performance from Steve Clarke's men. England almost certainly now have the points to qualify for the last 16. It is more than possible they win the group by beating Czech Republic here on Tuesday. But, make no mistake, this was a chastening night for Southgate and his men. The optimism from the Croatian win has been roundly challenged. There are problems. Harry Kane did not fire, again. Most worryingly, if Scotland had better finishers they might have won. Having looked more than the sum of their parts in Russia, England were reduced again. At the end, Scotland celebrated as if they had won. Having so badly shaken the English sense of supremacy, maybe they did. England, indeed, should be thinking again. From the scoreline, it would be easy to dismiss this as one of those random derby encounters, except Scotland did not play in that gung-ho, underdog way. They worked hard, good Lord they did. But the best player on the field was their young midfielder Billy Gilmour, starting his first competitive game, and only removed after 76 minutes because he had run and passed himself to a standstill. And they created chances, some very good ones, too. A Lyndon Dykes header after 62 minutes was cleared off the line by Reece James – closer than England ever got. Most of all, they handled England’s forwards, all that pressure, all that skill, with certainty. It was comfortably kept at arm’s length. When Southgate introduced Jack Grealish after 63 minutes his arrival was cheered to the rafters, offering the hope of match-winning presence. Equally, when he removed Kane 11 minutes later. Short memories, some people, but it cannot be argued that the captain played well. Nobody was expecting cat and mouse, even so, to see Luke Shaw flattened by a challenge from Dykes within ten seconds of the start – fairly, mind, he took a blow to the hip, no foul – came as something of a surprise. This wasn’t a dirty game, though, until Stephen O’Donnell grew impatient with being teased by Jack Grealish, ball at his feet, and took him out late in the second-half. Yet, for the most part, Scotland did a lot more than meet England with mere aggression and pride. Foden was not the influence he should have been. There was lovely work between him and James after 11 minutes, ending with Mount hitting a shot, deflected wide, but these were glimpses, not a consistent pattern. From the corner, John Stones rose higher than any defender, but powered his header against a post. Yes, it was a mighty jump, yes it was an inch or so away from being perfect, but he really should have done better, given the space. A minute later, Sterling fed Mount, who missed at the near post, and a Kane header from James’ cross went wide after 29 minutes, but England were never really dominant. Worse, that header was Kane’s first touch in Scotland’s penalty area. With 28 minutes gone, he had touched the ball just seven times in all areas of the pitch. Second-half, England no doubt hoped to prey on tiring Scottish legs but there was little sign of that and a restlessness grew in the stadium, a feeling that the hosts needed invention. Cameras panned to Grealish on the substitutes bench. Might he ignite the spark? Instead Kane came wide to the left and played a lovely ball in to James, who shot wastefully over. Would that have ended more happily, Grealish to Kane? The Aston Villa man was warming up as Kane won a free-kick, which Foden took to little effect. Very soon, the hoped-for change was made, but Grealish couldn’t make the headway either. It is easy to say he should have started, but England played well against Croatia. It will be harder to resist him, after this. #footballindepth #euro2020 #england_vs_scotland #engscot #modric #gilmore