Scotland smiles, England is frustrated: In the constant rain in London, the Scots caused the first dent of the co-favorite at this European Football Championship this Friday evening.
Against the arch rivals and outsiders, the Three Lions did not get past a 0-0 and thus missed the early jump into the round of 16.
In view of four points after two preliminary round games, coach Gareth Southgate's team can still plan for the knockout round, but there is a lot to work up for the coach.
The Scots, who lost 2-0 to the Czech Republic at the beginning, rewarded themselves for their fighting performance with a point from their neighbors and can continue to hope for a place in the next phase of the tournament. At home in Hampden Park in Glasgow, the Bravehearts need a win against Croatia on Tuesday. England will face the Czech Republic in their final group game.
Even before the beginning of the 115th edition of the legendary “Battle of Britain”, the atmosphere in Wembley Stadium was charged. The majority of the up to 22,500 spectators accompanied the national anthem of the Scots with shrill whistles. When the players of both teams kneeled on the lawn for a moment just before kick-off, as previously announced, to send a common signal against discrimination and racism, there was mostly applause, but also some boos.
On the pitch, the favored English took control early on. John Stones almost gave the lead after eleven minutes, but hit the post from a corner with a head. Two minutes later, Mason Mount pushed the ball past goal from close range. That’s it for a long time, but also with good opportunities. The Three Lions, whose starting eleven was on average 25 years and 31 days old and thus the youngest of the English in a World Cup or European Championship match, had more possession of the ball, but hardly any ideas in the game forward. Their performance was reminiscent of the 1-0 win against Croatia at the start, where they had started with a swing and then subsided.
The Scots largely relied on their bulwark around the recovered from an injury Arsenal professional Kieran Tierney on the defensive, on fight and passion, but now and then on offensive accents. Like in the fourth minute, when a shot by Ché Adams was blocked after a fine combination. Or in the 30th minute, England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford parried strongly against Stephen O'Donnell. As the first half went on, the guests seemed bolder - and the English fans more dissatisfied.
The English also started the second half quickly, but they were rarely really dangerous. Mount failed with a low shot to Scotland's goalkeeper David Marshall (48th), Reece James shot far over (55th) from a promising position. Then the right-back from Chelsea was challenged at the back and saved a spectacular attempt by Lyndon Dykes on the line (62nd).
The game remained exciting, but England at the front too unimaginative for long stretches. Coach Gareth Southgate tried to stimulate the home side's offensive with fresh staff, first bringing in Jack Grealish and then Marcus Rashford for the hapless James Foden and Harry Kane. Dortmund's Jadon Sancho, who, unlike the first game against Croatia, was in the English squad this time, stayed on the bench. In the 78th minute, Adams almost ensured the Braveherats' sensational victory, but shot over it. So the new edition of the oldest soccer duel in the world ended like its premiere 149 years ago in Glasgow: 0-0.