Euro 2020

IVAN PERISIC hit a brilliant equaliser in Glasgow to salvage a point for Croatia in their 1-1 draw with Czech Republic.Patrik Schick scored a controversial penalty before Perisic cut inside and hit his leveller into the corner just after the break.

RESULT: Croatia 1 Czech Republic 1
Croatia XI: Livakovic, Vrsaljko, Vida, Lovren, Gvardiol, Modric, Kovacic, Brekalo, Kramaric, Perisic, Rebic
Czech Republic XI: Vaclik, Coufal, Celustka, Kalas, Boril, Soucek, Holes, Masopust, Darida, Jankto, Schick

Follow ALL the action with our live blog below…
THAT’S ALL FOR NOW!
The Czech Republic take a huge step towards qualifying for the knockout phase of Euro 2020 with a hard-fought draw against Croatia in front of just 5,607 fans at Hampden Park.
It’s a first point on the board for Croatia, while the Czechs will be confident of progression with four to their name from their opening two games.
The two teams are next in action at 8pm on Tuesday when the Czechs face England at Wembley and Croatia take on Scotland at Hampden.
See you soon!
COUFAL’S VERDICT
Czech Republic defender Vladimir Coufal felt a draw was a fair result.
He said: “It’s probably a good result and it’s a well-deserved point. 
“Both teams had their chances. It’s a pity. If I hadn’t slipped, I’d probably have time to block him [Perisic]. But I can’t make excuses.
“Maybe we could have gotten more from the match, but we take the point.”
.Credit: AFP
MODRIC REACTION
Croatia captain Luka Modric admitted his side were disappointed not to defeat the Czech Republic.
He said: “There’s a bitter taste after this match, as we didn’t win.
“We entered the match really disorganised, but then we looked better in the second half.
“We scored that goal and we could have scored even more, but unfortunately we didn’t win.
“Now, we have to defeat Scotland to go through.”
.Credit: Reuters
HAVE YOUR SAY
Three goals in two games and Czech Republic looking likely to make the round of 16… could Schick be the tournament’s surprise marksman?

FT: CROATIA 1-1 CZECH REPUBLIC
It’s honours even in Glasgow as the two sides share the spoils.
The Czech Republic led through a contentious penalty in the 37th minute, awarded following a VAR check after Dejan Lovren’s flailing arm caught Patrik Schick at a corner.
Croatia were much improved after the break and levelled just two minutes into the second half when Ivan Perisic cut in from the left and drilled home.
The Czechs will probably be happier with the point but it’s a result which gives both nations hope of reaching the knockout phase.

PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!THE FINAL WHISTLE GOES!
CROATIA 1-1 CZECH REPUBLIC
89. What a block by Kalas to turn Petkovic’s shot wide! Brilliant stuff from the Bristol City defender. There will be three minutes of additional time.
CROATIA 1-1 CZECH REPUBLIC
87. Late changes for both sides. Brozovic comes on for Kovacic for Croatia, while Barak replaces Darida for the Czechs. 
CROATIA 1-1 CZECH REPUBLIC
82. Boril goes into the book for catching Petkovic. No complaints there. The free-kick is wasted.
CROATIA 1-1 CZECH REPUBLIC
81. Gvardiol races in behind the Czech defence but his pull-back is pounced upon by Vaclik. Good goalkeeping.
CROATIA 1-1 CZECH REPUBLIC
76. Hlozek lacks composure as he fires high and wide after Croatia had failed to deal with a Czech cross.
CROATIA 1-1 CZECH REPUBLIC
75. More changes by the Czechs as Jantko and Schick are replaced by Sevcik and Krmencik.
CROATIA 1-1 CZECH REPUBLIC
72. What a chance for the substitute Vlasic. Perisic nods a Gvardiol cross down for Vlasic who gets his shot away but sees it fly inches wide. Why didn’t Perisic go for goal?
.Credit: AFP
CROATIA 1-1 CZECH REPUBLIC
69. There’s been a bit of a lull in the game after that hectic start to the second period. It’s finely poised in the Glasgow sunshine and this really could go either way.
CROATIA 1-1 CZECH REPUBLIC
65. Kral finds space in the box but delays his cross and Modric comes sliding in with a brilliant challenge to dispossess the Czech star.
CROATIA 1-1 CZECH REPUBLIC
64. He’s not bad this Perisic fella.
4 – Ivan Perisic has scored in each of the last four major international tournaments (2014 World Cup, EURO 2016, 2018 World Cup and EURO 2020), becoming the first Croatian to score in four separate such tournaments. Rocket. #CRO #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/vlkh8gsfY4— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 18, 2021

CROATIA 1-1 CZECH REPUBLIC
63. Two changes by the Czech Republic as Masopust and Holes are replaced by Hlozek and Kral. Moments earlier, Croatia had also made a substitution as Vlasic came on for Kramaric.
CROATIA 1-1 CZECH REPUBLIC
60. Vrsaljko is penalised for a foul on Masopust out on the left. Darida’s low free-kick leads to a corner. Darida takes that too but Schick heads it over the bar. 
CROATIA 1-1 CZECH REPUBLIC
56. The Czechs are enjoying a good passage of play. Coufal sends a cross into the box but Schick get his header all wrong.
CROATIA 1-1 CZECH REPUBLIC
55. Bit of housekeeping. Masopust was booked just after the goal for a late challenge on Gvardiol.
CROATIA 1-1 CZECH REPUBLIC
52. Oooh, Soucek has a go from distance and sees it flash just wide. Livakovic would probably have had it covered. It’s been a frantic start to the second half.
CROATIA 1-1 CZECH REPUBLIC
48. Croatia had made two changes at the break with Rebic and Brekalo making way for Petkovic and Ivanusec.
CROATIA 1-1 CZECH REPUBLIC
47. The perfect start to the second half for Croatia. Perisic cuts in from the left, drops his shoulder to bamboozle Coufal and then fires home. Keeper should have done better.

GGGGGGGOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAALLLLL CROATIA!

PEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!OFF WE GO AGAIN!
Load more entries… More

ENGLAND take on Scotland tonight in one of the most eagerly-anticipated games of Euro 2020. The Three Lions are sitting pretty in Group D after victory over Croatia, while the Scots are desperate to get themselves on the board after defeat to Czech Republic.

Kick-off time: 8pm BST
TV channel: ITV1

Follow ALL the build-up and latest with our live blog below…

⚽ ENGLAND vs SCOTLAND BETTING SPECIAL ⚽

England are among the favourites for Euro 2020Credit: Andy Hooper-The Daily Mail
What time does England vs Scotland kick off?

The match kicks off at 8pm UK time tonight.

What TV channel is England vs Scotland on and can I live stream it?

England vs Scotland is live on ITV1.
To stream the game live, head to the ITV Hub.

Can I watch England vs Scotland for free?

What is the team news?
Harry Maguire has declared himself FIT for the Three Lions’ clash with Scotland but it remains to be seen whether Gareth Southgate will give him a part to play immediately.
If not, John Stones will continue in the heart of defence alongside Tyrone Mings.
Southgate will also make a decision on who to start at left-back with both Ben Chilwell and Luke Shaw having missed out last time out.
For Scotland, Kieran Tierney could return after missing the Czech Republic loss.
Che Adams could also start for Steve Clarke’s side.
LAST TIME OUT
Doesn’t this feel like a long time ago?
Daniel Sturridge – the forgotten man – netting as England swept aside Scotland in World Cup 2018 qualifying.
Three Lions fans will be hoping for more of the same tonight…

TARTAN BARMY
Sir Alex Ferguson has arrived at Wembley to cheer on his beloved Scotland… but the Man Utd legend was refused VIP parking.
Fergie, 79, had a brief stint as boss of Scotland in 1985 but left the role after failing to qualify from their World Cup group a year later.
Despite his remarkable success in football, it appears he wasn’t handed the red carpet treatment in North London.
Ferguson was chauffeured to the home of football around four hours before kick-off.
But he wasn’t greeted with the warmest of welcomes when a steward turned him away from the VIP parking.

GREAL ISSUE
Former England winger Paul Merson believes Jack Grealish does NOT fit into England’s formation and it would cause a ‘problem’ to play him tonight.
Gareth Southgate won plenty of praise from the former Arsenal man over his selection for the Euro 2020 opening win over Croatia.
He told Sky Sports: “Southgate has to be careful with his selection against Scotland as he does not want to bring unwanted pressure on himself by making too many changes.
“If he brings in Jack Grealish and he rips it up, people are going to want him to play every game. But he will not play against Scotland.
“If you play Phil Foden, Grealish, and Mason Mount all in the same team, then when will England be getting the ball back?
“Sterling played well, Foden showed glimpses, Harry Kane struggled as he kept on coming short into a packed midfield, where he was never going to find space, he needed to go the other way and stay up top if he wants to get involved with the team.
“We just need to get him chances, but even if he does not score in his first four games of the tournament, he will still play in the fifth.”

FITS THE BILL
A ‘leaked’ Scotland team has emerged on social media ahead of tonight’s Euro 2020 crunch with England – and it contains Chelsea star Billy Gilmour.
The former Rangers kid has yet to start a match for his country but social media is ablaze with suggestions that he will be thrown into the heat of battle against the Auld Enemy.
The team sees David Marshall starting in goal, with Stephen O’Donnell keeping his place at right back.
Kieran Tierney is apparently a starter on the left side of a back three, while it is claimed that Scott McTominay and Grant Hanley will be fielded alongside him.
According to the ‘leaked’ team, Che Adams comes in alongside Lyndon Dykes up top.
Time will tell – we’re expecting concrete team news around 6.45pm.

LOUD AND PROUD
There will be 22,500 fans in Wembley tonight, with Scotland allocated 2,600 for a lucky selection of away supporters.
Expect them to make a din, no matter how many are in the ground.

HEAD-TO-HEAD
Here’s how England and Scotland look in the head-to-head stakes.
The teams have actually met just once in tournament football, when Gazza famously inspired England to a 2-0 win at Euro 96.
England have the superior head-to-head record but not by as much as recent results would suggest.
They have won 48 of the meetings between the two sides, compared to Scotland’s 41 triumphs.
Last time the two sides met, Harry Kane netted a last minute equaliser for England in World Cup qualifying at Hampden.
Leight Griffiths thought he had done enough to earn Scotland a stunning win by curling in two free kicks before Kane popped up to secure a 2-2 draw.

MEMORY LANE
You’ve got to go back 25 years for the last time England face Scotland at a major tournament.
And we all know what happened then…

SOUTHGATE TALKS
The boss has been talking to the media and it looks like Raheem Sterling will keep his place after deciding the game against Croatia.
“Well I think any tournament the fall out from the first game is always massive, good or bad.
“I liked the way we settled so quickly for a team that weren’t able to play together in the friendlies.
“Throughout the game, our defending from front to back was excellent and I thought our forwards, and in particular our wide players, Raheem stood out.
“In terms of cutting the angles off, his tackling back, and I know people don’t want to hear coaches talking about that from wingers, but it’s a reality of the game.”
Credit: AP
THE BIG ONE
A match 25 years in the making, England vs Scotland finally meet again tonight a major tournament.
It doesn’t get much better than this.
Wembley is all set to host the Group D showdown later this evening, with the Tartan Army still streaming into the capital to support their boys.
The Three Lions come into the game knowing victory will see them into the knockout stages after beating Croatia 1-0 in their opening game.
Things aren’t so rosey for the Scots however, who can no longer come here and try frustrate the hosts.
Defeat to Czech Republic will have David Marshall having nightmare about Patrick Schick for the rest of his days – unless the Scots can spring a big shock tonight.
England are 1/4 favourites on home soil, with 22,500 lucky fans allowed inside the stadium this evening.
Scotland have brought the weather with them and it’s set to be a game played in damp, drizzly conditions.
We wouldn’t have it any other way.
After all the waiting, the countdown to kick-off at 8pm starts now.
Load more entries… More

CROATIA will be aching to get their first points on the board at Euro 2020 this evening when they take on Group D leaders Czech Republic at Hampden Park.The Croats lost 1-0 to England in their first game while the Czechs overcame Scotland 2-0 in Glasgow.

Start time: 5pm GMT
TV/Live stream: BBC One/iPlayer
Croatia XI: Livakovic, Vrsaljko, Vida, Lovren, Gvardiol, Modric, Kovacic, Brekalo, Kramaric, Perisic, Rebic
Czech Republic XI: Vaclik, Coufal, Celustka, Kalas, Boril, Soucek, Holes, Masopust, Darida, Jankto, Schick

Follow ALL the action with our live blog below…
CROATIA 0-0 CZECH REPUBLIC
4. Confident start from the Czech Republic. A couple of crosses are cleared before a Coufal shot is blocked by Domagoj Vidashot. A corner is headed just over by Soucek.
CROATIA 0-0 CZECH REPUBLIC
1. We’re off and under way. Some questionable singing from the Croatia squad during the national anthems. It’s a good job they can play football.
PEEEEEEEEEREEEEEEEEP!HERE WE GO!
HAVE YOUR SAY
Fancy winning £100? Course you do! Predict the score to enter our prize draw…

HERE COME THE TEAMS!
VLASIC ISSUES RALLYING CRY
Croatia midfielder Nikola Vlasic know how crucial a win would be for his country.
He said: “It’s very important to win this game as it’s extremely difficult going into the last match knowing you have to win.
“I think we have quality to do so.
“I’d say that we’re going to dominate and attack, but it doesn’t depend only on us – the Czechs could also have a big day.”
.Credit: AP
SUPER SOUCEK
FourFourTwo went for West Ham midfielder Tomas Soucek as the Czech Republic’s key man prior to the tournament.
They wrote: “A year ago it wouldn’t been Patrick Schick, with Soucek one to watch, but after the tireless midfielder’s stunning 12 months, it had to be him.
“The 26-year-old covers every blade of grass, wins aerial duels and scores regularly, netting his first ever hat-trick in March.
“His never-say-die spirit is as vital to the Czechs as it is to the Hammers.”
.Credit: The Sun
MARVELLOUS MODRIC
FourFourTwo magazine picked Luka Modric as Croatia’s key man ahead of the tournament.
The publication wrote: “Modric has been the beating heart of Croatia for over a decade, so the fact that he still plays at the highest level is nothing short of miraculous, even with Zinedine Zidane’s careful managing of the 35-year-old midfielder’s workload at Real Madrid.
“Without [Ivan] Rakitic, Croatia depend on Modric’s leadership more than ever.”
.Credit: Alamy
WHOLE LOT OF HISTORY
Croatia and Czech Republic have met once previously at a major tournament, in the group stages of Euro 2016.
The game ended 2-2, with the Czechs coming back from 2-0 down to secure their only point of the group phase.
Croatia are unbeaten in their three previous meetings with the Czech Republic (D2, L1).
Croatia have lost eight of their last 14 matches in all competitions (W4, D2) and have just claimed two wins in their last 10 games (D2, L6).
.Credit: PA:Empics Sport
DALIC: IMPROVEMENT NEEDED
Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic knows his side will need to turn in a much better performance today than the one against England.
“We have to show much more intent and purpose up front if we are to stand any chance of beating the Czechs,” he said.
“We need to rediscover our attacking threat. The Czechs are great at breaking out of defence with six or seven players but that will also allow us to counter-attack.
“They are in a comfortable position having won their opening game and we are not, but we always got going when the going got tough in the past and I am optimistic because our fate is still in our own hands.
“We have to improve in attack. We need a win to give us confidence.
“One good win with one or two goals would really open us up. We will see a different Croatia against the Czech Republic compared to the one against England.”
.Credit: Getty
SILHAVY: WORK TO DO
Despite impressing against Scotland, Czech Republic coach Jaroslav Silhavy says his men still have work to do to get out of the group.
He said: “Croatia have players who like playing the ball, combine and build up attacks from the back.
“If they have their good day, they will be very tough opponents for us.
“I still consider them among two favourites of our group, and we are the third ones behind.
“Our desire is clear – we want to qualify from the group. A point out of two games might be enough, but we do not want to play for a draw.
“Croatia were runners-up in the World Cup with top-quality individuals from big clubs.
“If we want to succeed, we need another excellent team performance with some extra bits. This is the only way to win.”
.Credit: EPA
TINKER TIME
Croatia make two changes from the side that lost to England.
Dejan Lovren comes in for Duje Caleta-Car, while Josip Brekalo replaces Marcelo Brozovic,
There’s just one change from the Czech team that beat Scotland as Alex Kral makes way for Tomas Holes in the starting XI.
.Credit: AFP
CROATIA SUBS:
5 Caleta-Car, 11 Brozovic, 12, Kalinic, 13 Vlasic, 15 Pasalic, 18 Orsic, 19 Badelj, 20 Petkovic, 22 Juranovic, 23 Sluga, 24 Bradaric, 26 Ivanusec
CZECH REPUBLIC SUBS:
16 Mandous, 23 Koubek, 2 Kaderabek, 4 Brabec, 7 Barak, 11 Krmencik, 13 Sevcik, 17 Zima, 19 Hlozek, 20 Vydra, 21 Kral, 24 Pekhart
CROATIA XI:
1 Livakovic; 2 Vrsaljko, 6 Lovren, 21 Vida, 25 Gvardiol; Modric ©, 8 Kovacic; 4 Perisic, 9 Kramaric, 7 Brekalo; 17 Rebic

CZECH REPUBLIC XI:
1 Vaclik; 5 Coufal, 3 Celustka, 6 Kalas, 18 Boril; 9 Holes, 15 Soucek; 12 Masopust, 8 Darida ©, 14 Jankto, 10 Schick

THE TEAMSHEETS ARE IN!
TEAM NEWS
Croatia centre-back Dejan Lovren has recovered from a knee injury and should be available.
Bruno Petkovic could replace Ante Rebic up front, while left-back Borna Barisic remains sidelined by a back problem. 
The Czech Republic could name the same starting line-up that began Monday’s win against Scotland.
Goalkeeper Jiri Pavlenka has withdrawn from the squad because of a back injury and has been replaced by Tomas Koubek.

GOOD AFTERNOON FROM GLASGOW
While all eyes will be on England’s clash with Scotland later, there’s a tasty appetiser in the form of Croatia versus the Czech Republic.
The two teams suffered contrasting fortunes in their opening Group D fixtures.
Croatia were beaten 1-0 by England, while the Czechs earned a 2-0 win over Scotland.
Both of the Czechs goals came from Patrick Schick and you’ll be hard pushed to find a better strike at this summer’s tournament than his second when he lobbed David Marshall from virtually the halfway line.
Victory for the Czechs would seal their progress to the knockout stages.
We’ll have all the team news and more in the build-up to the 5pm kick-off.

Load more entries… More