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One of the most highly anticipated clashes in the group stages of UEFA Euro 2020 ended in an anticlimactic goalless draw as England drew 0-0 with neighbors Scotland in their Group D clash at Wembley Stadium on Friday.
Although the Three Lions went into the game as favorites, it was the visitors who created the better chances in a tightly contested first half. John Stones hit the post while Stephen O’Donnell forced an excellent save from Jordan Pickford in an action-packed first 45 minutes. As the half-time whistle blew, both teams left the pitch feeling that they could step up their respective performances.
It was the hosts who seemed to pick up the pace in the second half, attacking with renewed vigor. However, the England attack was uninspired and Scotland’s defending dogged, with the visitors proving extremely tough to break down.
In fact, it was Scotland that had the better chances in the game and might have won it had they shown more composure in front of goal. The draw was a fair result as neither side did enough to take all three points.
England are yet to secure progression from the group while the Scots remain in contention to qualify for the next round as well. All the focus now shifts to the final round of fixtures in the group on Tuesday, with England taking on the Czech Republic and Scotland facing Croatia.
On that note, here are the player ratings from the game.
England Player Ratings:
Jordan Pickford: 6/10
Pickford put in a commanding performance in tricky conditions, showing excellent reflexes and positional sense as he repelled all that the Scots threw at him.
Reece James: 6/10
Justified his selection as a more attack-minded right-back over Kyle Walker with an eye-catching display of excellent long passes and crosses, going forward at every opportunity.
The Chelsea full-back did not neglect his defensive duties either, making a vital headed clearance off the line in the second half to preserve his side’s clean sheet.
John Stones: 5/10
Came as close to scoring as anyone with a first-half header that rattled the post. Dealt potently with Scotland’s dual-pronged attack and was rarely troubled.
Tyrone Mings: 6/10
Held his own against the aerial threat of Dykes as well as the physicality of Adams, winning his fair share of headers while also stepping in with a few vital interceptions.
Luke Shaw: 5/10
Shaw's inclusion as a natural left-footed player at left-back seemed to give England more balance as the Manchester United man was solid in defense and also carried the ball forward with purpose at every opportunity.
Kalvin Phillips: 5/10
England’s midfield enforcer on the night, Phillips put in a typically robust performance, covering a lot of ground and throwing himself into tackle after tackle with great gusto.
Declan Rice: 5/10
Quietly effective in the middle of the park, mopping up loose balls in front of his backline and always looking to get England moving forward as quickly as possible.
Phil Foden: 5/10
Sporting the distinctive blond haircut hasn’t quite done the trick for the Manchester City man, who showed brief flashes of his undeniable talent but is yet to truly set the stage alight at the tournament.
As was the case in England’s first game, Foden was the first to make way when Gareth Southgate decided to switch things up, going off for Jack Grealish just after the hour mark.
Mason Mount: 6/10
England’s most dangerous player when on the ball, Mount’s excellent vision and passing, both short and long, was on full display on the night.
An unexpected physical battle with Chelsea teammate Billy Gilmour in midfield was one of the most intriguing sub-plots of the game.
Raheem Sterling: 5/10
England’s matchwinner from the first game had less of an impact here, as he was not allowed much time on the ball by Scotland’s diligent defenders.
Despite making a couple of clever runs in behind, the Manchester City wide man was left down by his touch on more than one occasion.
Harry Kane: 4/10
Looked off the pace and struggled to get on the ball as he seemed to be left isolated high up the field for most of the game. Even though the England skipper is no stranger to dropping deep to pick up possession, he seemed to have to do it out of necessity to get involved in the play rather than as part of an England gameplan.
Came off for Marcus Rashford with around 15 minutes to go.
Substitutes:
Jack Grealish: 5/10
Took up his customary position on the left flank after coming on midway through the second half and looked dangerous each time he got on the ball, but ultimately did not have enough time to make a more decisive impact on the game.
Marcus Rashford: N.A.
Replaced Kane with around 15 minutes to go but barely got on the ball as both sides seemed to shut up shop in the dying stages.
Scotland Player Ratings:
David Marshall: 5/10
Most of his duties consisted of taking goal kicks as his backline held firm to keep England’s attackers at bay quite effectively.
Had a little more to do in the second half as England stepped up the pace but calmly dealt with everything that came his way.
Scott McTominay: 6/10
Having dropped into central defense from his customary midfield role, the Manchester United man had a nervy start but grew into the game as his physicality and ball-carrying abilities helped him settle comfortably into his new position.
Grant Hanley: 7/10
Playing in the middle of Scotland’s back three, Hanley did a manful job of marking Kane, effectively nullifying the England skipper with a display of no-nonsense defending.
Kieran Tierney: 5/10
Quietly played his way back to fitness on a ground he is quite familiar with already thanks to his FA Cup exploits with Arsenal. Both Robertson and Tierney showcased an excellent understanding between themselves, with one seamlessly dropping deep when the other bombed forward down the left flank.
Stephen O’Donnell: 5/10
A willing runner down Scotland’s right flank, most of O’Donnell’s evening was spent penned back in his own half dealing with the threat of first Sterling and then Grealish, who he fouled to pick up a late booking.
However, his most meaningful contribution came at the other end of the first half when his excellent volley forced an equally fantastic diving save from Pickford.
Callum McGregor: 5/10
The Celtic midfielder put in a hard-working shift for his country, full of running throughout, while also keeping things simple with his passing.
Billy Gilmour: 6/10
The diminutive Chelsea youngster seemed unfazed by his lack of experience on the big stage, putting in an extremely assured performance in the middle of the park.
John McGinn: 5/10
Undeniably the aggressor-in-chief of Scotland's midfield, McGinn was combative and tenacious on and off the ball, picking up a yellow card as early as the 16th minute for voicing his displeasure regarding a few refereeing decisions.
Andy Robertson: 5/10
Featured far less in an attacking sense than he does regularly for Liverpool, but was efficient in possession and effective in defense.
Lyndon Dykes: 6/10
Challenged for everything in the air and won most of his aerial duels, giving the England defenders a torrid time with his physicality and prowess in the air.
The Scotsman was no less of a menace with the ball on the floor either, scarcely giving Mings and Stones a moment’s peace with his tireless pressing.
Che Adams: 6/10
Adams’ clever positioning, combined with Dykes’ aerial threat, meant that Scotland’s changed attacking lineup kept the England defenders on their toes throughout. Used his pace and power to good effect before going off late in the game.
Substitutes:
Stuart Armstrong: 5/10
The Southampton man injected some much-needed pace and energy into a tiring Scottish midfield after coming on in the second half.
Kevin Nisbet: N.A.
Barely got a touch of the ball after replacing Adams late on in the game.
