Euro 2020

ENGLAND are through to the last-16 of Euro 2020.Gareth Southgate has led the Three Lions to victories over Croatia and Czech Republic, with a hard-fought draw over Scotland sandwiched in between.
England won their Euro 2020 opener thanks to Raheem Sterling’s goal against CroatiaCredit: AP
After winning against the Czechs, we take a look at what lies ahead for England in their quest to win a first major tournament since the 1966 World Cup.

England have finished top of Group D after winning at the Home of Football.
As a result, they will face the unenviable challenge of taking on the runners-up in Group F – the ‘Group of Death’.
One of France, Germany, Portugal or Hungary will await England in this scenario.

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If England make it past that stage, they will play their quarter-final clash on July 3,with kick-off in Rome at 8pm.
Their most likely opponents here would be Sweden or Spain, but there is a lot of water to go under the bridge before then.
Southgate’s men must wait and see who makes it through from the remaining groups before their fate becomes clearer – but it’s all eyes on Wembley next Tuesday.
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England train ahead of Euro 2020 game against Scotland More

HEARTBROKEN Scotland added another glorious failure to their extensive catalogue of hard luck stories as they waved goodbye to the Euros.Turns out they can’t boogie all night long after all.
Ivan Perisic celebrates Croatia’s clincherCredit: Reuters
Luka Modric guides a sumptuous effort past David MarshallCredit: Reuters
But it took a special goal from a special player to end their dreams of making it to the knock-out stages of a major international tournament for the first time.
Luka Modric might be three months short of his 36th birthday but has lost none of the magic which won him the Ballon D’Or three years ago.
And just when it was looking as if it might be the 2018 World Cup finalists heading for an early exit, it was the little maestro who guided his country to qualification.
His 62nd minute goal, curled into the top corner with the outside of his right boot, was a thing of beauty to settle this winner-takes-all clash.
And Scotland’s fate was well and truly sealed quarter of an hour later when Modric’s corner was glanced in off the far post by Ivan Perisic.
It was a bitter pill to swallow for Steve Clarke and his team, who ran themselves into the ground in pursuit of the victory which would have clinched their place in the promised land of the last 16.
And no-one could fault the efforts of a team who left everything out there but still came up just short once again.
And they will return home with thoughts of what might have been after briefly lifting the hopes of an entire nation.
Perisic condemns Scotland to defeatCredit: AFP
Croatia celebrate regaining their leadCredit: Getty
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The Hampden roar certainly made it sound as though there were a hell of a lot more than 12,000 fans in the Croat-free crowd.
With Flower of Scotland still ringing in their ears, Clarke’s men were out of the blocks quicker than Usain Bolt as they looked to batter their opponents into an early submission.
But Croatia refused to be cowed as they slowly started to take control with their patient passing game.
The first alarm bells started to sound for the Scots when David Marshall was forced to race out of his area to clear from the advancing Bruno Petkovic.
And seconds later he was picking the ball out of his net when Ivan Perisic headed down a 17th minute cross from Josip Jovanovic for Nikola Vlasic to hook home from close in.
It felt as if someone had applied a huge pin to the Tartan bubble, but if the Scotland supporters were deflated, their players were anything but.
And instead of meekly accepting their fate they simply rolled up their sleeves and redoubled their efforts to keep their dreams alive.
John McGinn was unable to capitalise on two fine chances to level as Croatia suddenly started to look rattled.
Callum McGregor celebrates scoring Scotland’s first tournament goals in 23 yearsCredit: Reuters
Callum McGregor sweeps Scotland levelCredit: PA
And when the goal which Scotland had been waiting for all tournament finally arrived in the 42nd minute, the Tartan Army went McMental.
Croatia spurned two opportunities to clear crosses from Stuart Armstrong and Andy Robertson and when Domagoj Vida could only get the ball as far as the edge of the area Callum McGregor was lurking with intent.
McGregor had never scored in his previous 33 appearances for his country but when his opportunity came he seized it like a seasoned finisher with an unerring low shot beyond the reach of keeper Dominik Livakovic.
It was the goal of a lifetime from the Celtic midfielder who had once had a spell on loan at Notts County with a certain Jack Grealish.
But that was to be as good as it got for the Scots as McGinn missed another glorious opportunity to fire his team ahead before Modric showed him how it should be done.
Still, at least they will have the memory of holding the English to a goalless draw to keep them warm for the next few years.
Vlasic is congratulated by his team-mates after giving Croatia the leadCredit: Reuters
Nikola Vlasic buries Croatia’s openerCredit: Reuters
Grant Hanley looks on as he is forced off with injuryCredit: PA
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Scotland fans celebrate at Glasgow fan zone and Edinburgh pub as Callum McGregor draws us level More

ENGLAND will play Germany, France, Portugal or Hungary in the last 16 of the Euros after beating Czech Republic. The Three Lions’ narrow 1-0 win at Wembley tonight ensured they finished top of Group D.
Gareth Southgate’s England will face the runners-up from Group E in the last 16Credit: AFP
Jack Grealish set up Raheem Sterling for the opening goal with just 12 minutes on the clockCredit: Reuters
And that means they have a horror last-16 clash with the runners-up from ‘Group of Death’ Group F on Tuesday, June 29 at 5pm – again, under the Arch.
As things stand, old rivals Germany sit second in that group with three points but they still have one game to play, on Wednesday night.
But it could also be a meeting with World Cup winners France, or defending European Champions Portugal, led by Cristiano Ronaldo.
France are currently top of Group F on four points with Germany ahead of Portugal on goal difference while Hungary are fourth on one.
Didier Deschamps’ side take on Portugal and Germany host Hungary at 8pm tomorrow to determine the final standings.
The world champions opened with a 1-0 win over Germany but only managed a 1-1 draw with Hungary.
Portugal, the holders, ran out 3-0 winners over the Hungarians but were stunned 4-2 by Die Mannschaft in their second game.
If England do end up facing Germany, the Wembley showdown will be the latest instalment in one of the biggest rivalries in world football.

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Superstars Cristiano Ronaldo or Kylian Mbappe may be heading to Wembley next TuesdayCredit: Alamy
Germany looked back to their best against Portugal and will be confident of three points against HungaryCredit: AP

It has been that way since 1966, when the Three Lions gloriously won 4-2 at Wembley in the World Cup final.
The last time England played Germany at a major tournament was the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, when the Germans dished out a painful 4-1 thrashing.
And you have to go back 21 years for the last time the rival nations have met at the Euros.
In 2000, Alan Shearer scored the only goal of the game as England won 1-0 in Charleroi, Belgium.

The teams last met in November 2017, when they played out a 0-0 draw at Wembley in a friendly.
At Wembley this evening, Bukayo Saka and Jack Grealish – making their full tournament debuts – ran Czech Republic ragged in the opening half.
And with just 12 minutes played, the pair were heavily involved in England’s goal.
Saka drove upfield before the ball came to Grealish in the left channel and the Aston Villa captain stood up a perfect cross for Raheem Sterling to nod in at the back post.
Jordan Henderson thought he had scored his first Three Lions goal but saw his late effort chalked up by the linesman’s offside flag.
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England beat West Germany in their only major final to lift the World Cup in 1966Credit: Bettmann – Corbis
The Three Lions boss will be desperate to get revenge for the Euro 96 heartache should they take on Germany in the last 16Credit: PA:Empics Sport
Portugal dumped England out of Euro 2004 and the 2006 World Cup in heartbreaking fashionCredit: PA
England fans celebrate their lead against Czech Republic More