Melee in attack and sometimes defensively troubled, England couldn’t get better 0-0, at Wembley on Friday, against the Scots, who preserve their chances of qualifying in Euro’s Group D.
With 4 points, England join the Czech Republic, who had been stopped a short time ago by the Croats (1–1), while the Scots are the vice-world champions with 1 point, before the final day when everything is possible. .
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After a successful start against Croatia (1–0), the draw is a stop for England, which refers to its shortcomings in offensive animation and which this time have not been saved by individuals.
The symbol of this bankruptcy in the attack, Harry Kane, was transparent, replaced with little more in sight by Marcus Rashford fifteen minutes from the end.
But it would be unfair for the sole captain to wear the cap of this inevitably disappointing draw.
Gareth Southgate, who had only replaced his pair of full-backs compared to the first game – with Luke Shaw and Reece James replacing Kieran Trippier and Kyle Walker to benefit from greater technical mastery – had to quickly find a solution. Will or will have to take the risk seeing the popular disappointment grows.
His team never found a solution to the strong and dynamic 3-5-2 fetish of their northern neighbor, who did better than defend himself.
The Three Lions have not received the outline for the entire first period, for the first time since November 2017 in a friendly against Germany at Wembley and since November 2014 for an official competitive match against Slovenia.
In contrast, Kieran Tierney, a left-back in his central defense, and Scott McTominay, a midfielder, won the tactical battle by risking starting Steve Clarke.
Youth and talent are not enough
The Gunners and Red Devils defender showed his aggression, but also his quality in recovery, as well as his ability to bring in surplus, as best brought on the Scottish occasion, when Daniel O’Donnell took the volley. Tierney’s centre, forcing Jordan Pickford to stage a dangerous parade at lawn level, fused with rain that did not stop the night before (30th).
Earlier, it was true that John Stones had found the post with a deposited header on a corner (12th) and in the second half Mason Mount hired David Marshall by forcing him to box a 22m strike (48th) . .
But this is too little for the contender for the ultimate victory.
Another winning stake for Clark was the stint between young Chelsea midfielder, Billy Gilmour (20), of whom it was only his third selection, but who controlled the pace with calm and cleanliness in his interventions for his team. Like an old man.
The brilliance and youth of the England squad – the starting XI were the youngest England ever fielded in the final of a major tournament – will not hide the fact that they were in fact the third-lowest ranked according to FIFA in the tournament. Failed to worry about the team. .
The final day, next Tuesday, when England host the Czechs, who have the better goal difference, at Wembley while Scotland play their game against Croatia at their Hampden Park in Glasgow, will be exciting.
But England, who were aiming for the round of 16 in first place and at home, would have done well without this suspense.
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