Football EM 2021: Scotland points winner in a draw with England

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The Scots cheer after the final whistle

Photo: Nick Potts / imago images / PA Images

So much more than a game:

Scotland versus England is not only the oldest duel in football history, it is also laden with the passionate mutual dislike of the people of both countries.

The EU-affine Scots against the British Brexit and ironically at a European Championship - the outsider's 0-0 against the English, who have once again been promoted to the rank of co-favorite, is a victory for the Scots for whom there is only one point.

The result:

England and Scotland separated 0-0 on the 2nd Group D matchday.

Click here for the match report.

Courage, Steve Clarke:

Scotland's national coach took the criticism of his line-up in the 2-0 draw against the Czech Republic to heart: Ché Adams was allowed to go up front, the hopeful Billy Gilmour strengthened the midfield. Arsenal professional Kieran Tierney, still absent from the opening game due to an injury, was also able to participate. "We need four points from two games," said Clarke. The first step should be taken with a comparatively offensive line-up.

The first half:

In the constant rain at Wembley, England's central defender John Stones caused the first upset: his header from a corner hit the inside post (11th). Two minutes later, Mason Mount narrowly missed the lead. After that, the game calmed down, the Scots closed the rooms and kept throwing in interruptions: after 26 minutes they had already fouled twelve times, as often as in 90 minutes against the Czechs. Scotland's Stephen O'Donnell goalkeeper Jordan Pickford fired a right-footed save in the 30th minute. The underdog had the game largely under control.

Classic by chance:

When England vs winner play-off path C was set for this second matchday in November 2020, it was bottomlessly unspectacular. But two Scottish victories on penalties brought the new edition of the oldest duel in the world: in 1872 these two teams played the first official international match in football history, in 1996, in the last Scottish European Championship participation, there was also the memorable 2-0 for matchday 2 England including Paul Gascoigne's dream goal. And now this: Wembley! Brother duel! 22,500 spectators!

The second half:

England came out of the cabin with a lot of momentum, but this held only a few attacks and half chances. Little happened in the front, but it almost happened in the back: Reece James cleared a shot by Lyndon Dykes for his already beaten keeper Pickford on the line (62nd). Luck for the Scots in the 79th minute: Robertson kicked Raheem Sterling on the foot in the penalty area, Antonio Mateu Lahoz decided to continue playing, the VAR did not intervene. There were no more opportunities for the disappointing Three Lions.

Against each other and together:

the Scottish anthem was given a lot of whistles by the English fans, the guest fans in turn

reciprocated

with boos at "God save the Queen". Then it became solidarity: The Scots joined the kneeling of the English team against racism.

Andy Robertson, the all-rounder:

The left-back of Liverpool FC is the outstanding Scottish player of his generation, who can be mentioned in the same breath as Jimmy Johnstone, Willie Miller and Gordon Strachan. He had been sorted out as a teenager at Celtic ("too small"), at the age of 18 he worked 40 hours a week in the ticket office of his club, FC Queen's Park. In the national team he has to play many roles at the same time in his class - the 27-year-old captain is both a defensive and an offensive organizer on the left wing.

Billy Gilmour, the discovery:

Gilmour played 95 minutes for his club Chelsea FC in the premier class last season, so he can call himself Champions League winner without blushing. Otherwise, the 20-year-old only plays a minor role in the London star ensemble. That could change after appearances like against England - Gilmour played numerous clever passes in his starting eleven and demanded the ball in the most difficult situations, which he then processed heavily.

The situation in the group:

The Scots have played two European championships and eight world championships so far, they never made it to the next round. In final round number eleven, a win against Croatia (Tuesday, 9 p.m., live ticker: SPIEGEL.de) would most likely be enough to reach the round of 16. In the parallel game, one point against the Czechs is enough for the English to advance safely.