itsbeautifuloutside

---

England v Croatia

---

IBO Reporter : ivangolac

---

---

|and so here we go.....Group D in all its sunshine glory. 4 Teams who could all surprise, in different ways. Game 1, England v. Croatia.....and I was there.

Firstly and let's get this out the way, my views on going to Wembley and watching this game improved greatly between 5:45pm on Saturday and around 7:00pm when we all got news that the performance of the Denmark medical team, and I must say the sheer class of the Denmark players, Kjear and Schmeichel especially, meant heavy hearts were lifted. Well done everyone. I cannot help thinking the desires of broadcasters and sponsors were put above the remaining players though, no fan or player would have said no to a 0-0 in the record books, something fishy afoot there, but that is for another day.

Onto Wembley. I'm really lucky that my work and involvement with a major sponsor meant I was fortunate enough to be one of the 22500 in and around a vibrant and re-imagined Wembley stadium. Not the ground, the surrounding area has been transformed in the last three years since my last visit. Gone are the shabby industrial estates and gleaming residential, shopping, bars and restaurants are the order of the day. It has been transformed, felt a lot like the Olympic Park at Stratford without the open spaces. A few drinks in Boxpark with some colleagues to the tunes of DJ Spoony (easiest gig in the world, play New Order, Vindaloo and Football's Coming Home and repeat with a few upbeat ear-crunchers and pick up your 10 grand..... ) and I was off. That security, covid protocols were solid and professional, although it must be said 22500 is a lot different to 90000, it was a slightly odd atmosphere inside the ground, noisy, but disjointed.

Southgate's selection.....well.....he has said all along "this is a tournament, and I will need everyone" and he certainly stuck to his guns, sticking two fingers up to the media in not picking Grealish. I quite liked that, it showed strength. Not so sure about the left back call, but Trippier was faultless defensively and Rebic had to be subbed on the hour, so who am I to question that. Credit due again if the claimed 'he is a left footed right winger, so he cuts across. Put a right footed player against him and he is cut off every time'. If that was the reason, impressive detailing. It was boiling hot in there too, and wise man did once say "the team you start with is less important that the one you finish with".

England started very well and Croatia looked surprised. A very high press and Rice / Phillips had them pinned right back. I'm sure a goal would have just rewards and Foden came very close, measuring a shot that cannoned back off the post, nearly the perfect start. But this is Croatia, perfect starts sometimes aren't the best thing as this lot can prise you apart given half the chance. Sterling was probing, again showing how good he is from 50-20 yards in, but again how poor from 20 in....for now. England had the better of the early exchanges but let Croatia wriggle out, and it wasn't long until Modric was bossing the centre circle. But this Croatia were struggling to find a forward ball and their lack of focal point in the 9 position was stunting their growth. Out wide they are great, but when you are 40 yards from goal there isn't much treat you can carry. The first half was gone in a flash as the second half of it passed without event. Both sides probing and walking around the ring like journeyman heavyweights not wanting to throw a punch. Both sides unwilling to risk throwing players forwards.

You felt something was coming though, it never felt like it was going to be a 0-0, it just needed a spark and a risk or two taken. The second half started with the Croats on top and some really good work from the Rice and especially Mings kept them at bay. The defensive shape from England was good but more inspiration was need. Then at the crucial moment it game from a surprising source. Philips got between the lines and found himself in possession with some space in front of him. He powered past his man, Kane's clever run exposed the Centre Backs, and touched the ball into the box for a driving Sterling, pace released, who got there first to a ball he really shouldn't have and thankfully didn't have time to think about it. It was a sucker punch, even a hidden uppercut, and he was reeling away into the sunshine, arm aloft. A really neat goal. Tension released, Football was surely coming home.

The next 10 minutes were all England, Kane nearly on the end of more good work from Raheem, the closest he came. A decent Free Kick from the subdued Mount, that flashed just over and England were cementing the foundations of their lead. But we knew it would come, slowly but surely we regressed, Croatia made changes first and got on the front foot. A few loose tackles down our left and a few too many balls into the box, but the back four defended well and marshalled well by Pickford (although his distribution was rubbish). The game petered out with Croatia kept well at arms length unlike last time, but I was left with the feeling this Croatia team is on the way down and have no claim to be dark horses, even if their natty black kit suggests they are.

Tired legs needed replacing, a really neat cameo from Bellingham in which there was a lot to like, but Rashford was invisible again and didn't contribute when the open spaces behind the press were there for him to exploit. DCL too late to contribute but put himself a bit. It was over in a flash.

It's the opening game and a win is a win, so onto Scotland next and don't be surprised to see a few changes, Southgate is consistent in his own mind and impressive........until we get dicked by some crap side when he plays Shaw at Centre Forward.....

---

Match Scores - Sunday Times Standard - So 'did the job expected' is a 6.

---

• Pickford - 6 - Kept Goal Well, played Centre Half poorly.
• Walker - 6 - Told not to cross half way line but Perisic didn't get a kick, right?
• Stones - 6 - Forgettable
• Mings - 7 - Liked him - He's a big lad and got involved a couple of times when it got edgy
• Trippier - 6 - Who knows - Maybe a 7 if that tactical masterclass was the reason
• Rice - 6 - Efficient
• Phillips - 7 - England's best Midfielder
• Mount - 5 - Anonymous
• Sterling - 8 - I liked his performance, and he was the difference when it came down to it
• Foden - 6 - Shone brightly early on, did little after that
• Kane - 5 - Not his day, but i think that might have been inevitable after a tough 24 hours and also the way Southgate set up. He fought hard though, his day will come.
• Subs - No point in scoring, but Bellingham was the pick.

---

---

Scotland v Czech Republic

---

IBO Reporter : Spot51

---

---

|Scotland’s first tournament appearance since the '90s came on a Monday afternoon, effectively a 'home' fixture at Hampden, against a side that were unbeaten against in their last four matches. The Scots had been getting some joy from a 3-5-2 line up with Tierney and Robertson in tandem down the left flank, but the big news was that Tierney was unable to start, his place being taken by Leeds captain Liam Cooper.

Steve Clarke only picked Saint’s Stuart Armstrong leaving Che Adams on the bench. The Czech squad were drawn from clubs across Europe including West Ham pair Coufal and Soucek and Bristol City captain Kalas who all started, plus Burnley’s Vydra who was on the bench.

Some 9,000 punters were in the ground, Scotland were in their navy kit, the Czechs in white and before long Stu was bringing down Leverkusen’s Schick – with hindsight, he might perhaps have kicked him harder. The opening minutes seemed even, McGinn had an effort blocked and Schick met Coufal’s cross but headed wide. The Czech’s began to look dangerous and forced Scotland onto the back foot. Jankto got behind them on the left, picked out Schick who forced a decent stop from Marshall. Then Robertson carried the ball forward, playing it towards Dykes who volleyed wide.

Further Czech pressure kept Scotland pressed back until, just beyond the half hour, a slick move saw Christie set up Robertson and his shot was tipped over by Vaclik. From the corner McGinn twice attempted shots, but both were blocked. Again the Czechs got forward and about 40' in won three consecutive corners. The third was the most significant. Despite Hanley heading Jankto’s kick away, the ball was fed down the opposite wing to Coufal. He sent over a sweet cross which Schick met and glanced it past Marshall into the bottom left corner. Scotland 0-1 Czech Republic. Scotland tried to respond and in added time Stu had a shot blocked by defenders.

For the second half, Che replaced Christie, but it was Marshall’s goal under pressure. First he saved from Schick and then Darida from further out. Scotland cleared the resulting corner and moved en-masse up-field, where defender Hendry had a speculative shot which rattled the cross bar. Encouraged, the big man joined the next attack and when Stu rolled the ball to him took aim from range. This time the ball hit a defender and bounced past him into empty space.

Lurking in the centre circle, Patrik Schick collected the ball and, looking up, spied Marshall closer to him than his penalty area. As the #9 followed the ball into the Scots’ half, Marshall had already begun a sprint back to the line but the striker knew the ball would get there first. It was one of the most replayed goals of the whole Euros, hit beautifully with his left instep, curling and dipping and dropping under the bar just as Marshall followed it into the net. Scotland 0-2 Czech Republic. Even Scots pundits recognised the strike as a thing of beauty, and the second Czech goal made the Scots’ task much, much harder. With the side in blue reeling, Darida almost grabbed a third, but sent his shot just over the top on 55'.

Scotland toughed their way back into the game, with the Czechs being required to display their defensive skills, as first McGinn and then Dykes had efforts hit white clad bodies. Then both our guys got involved: first McGinn found Stu and his shot went off Kalas and behind. Che got on the end of the corner kick, headed on to Dykes who forced a good save from Vaclik.  Scotland were seeing most of the ball now and, midway through the half, Celustka conceded a corner. Robertson’s cross found the head of Hanley but it just went over. A minute later McGinn set up Dykes but Vaclik again stopped his shot. Then came substitution time.

First Holes replaced Kral for the Czecks and McGregor and Fraser replaced Hendry and Stu – BOO! Within 3 minutes, Vydra and Hlozek replaced Masopust and Jankto. By now, it was Panic Stations for the Scots, with everyone trying to help get a goal back. On 76' O’Donnell was fouled wide right. Cooper won the cross to set up McTominay, but he too saw his shot miss the target.  With 10' left, Nisbet and Forrest replaced Dykes and O’Donnell, but Schick was thinking hat-trick when meeting Hlozek’s pass, but the keeper held it. Straight up the other end, Che found Nisbet who worked the keeper. The Czeck coach signalled “job done” by bringing off Darida and Schick, sending on Sevcik and Krmencik for the final minutes. Krmencik got a shot on target in the last minute but Marshall saved. In +4', the Scots pressed on, but only created one more chance, when Boril deflected Nisbet’s shot wide. As soon as the corner was taken, the final whistle sounded.

Scotland had more possession and more shots, yet the Czech side looked effective and Schick clearly knows where the goal is. They stay in Glasgow for their game with Croatia, whilst Scotland head to Wembley where England await.

---

---

Croatia v Czech Republic

---

---

IBO Reporter : Spot51

---

The Czechs remained in Glasgow, scene of their win over Scotland, and were currently top of Group D on goals scored. Croatia had lost at Wembley, so needed something from this game – defeat would probably send them home, as it would the Scots. Unsurprisingly, Schick again led the line for the Czech Republic, who made just one change: Holes into midfield alongside Soucek. Croatia made two changes, with another forward, Brekalo, in for Brozovic and our old mate Dejan Lovren returning alongside Vida in the heart of defence. Despite being nominally the “home” side, Croatia wore their black and grey changed strip and the Czech Republic were in all white. Our referee was Carlos del Cerro Grande from Spain.

Coufal won an early corner for the Czechs, which was taken by Jankto and header over by Soucek. On 7' the Czechs were able to clear a Croatian corner, but Kalas’ foul on Rebic soon gave Lovren a chance from a free kick, but his shot flew over. The Czechs then began to dominate, but only Jankto high and Schick wide were as good as it got. Kramaric brought Croatia forward and Coufal conceded a corner. Modric’s short corner routine gave him space to find Perisic in the area. He turned and shot along the ground but it was gathered by Vaclik. The next corner up the other end was decisive.

The ball was played short, then returned to Masopust who crossed to the back of the box. Schick and Lovren contested the ball, Lovren heading it away, Schick collapsing to the ground. The ref got an early shout from VAR and stopped play. After looking at the pitch-side monitor he pointed to the spot. BBC pundit Dion Dublin was gobsmacked; or, in the Ref’s eyes, Schick had been by Lovren’s elbow. Replays showed he had bashed the striker but it looked more accidental than deliberate. Still, the Ref’s mind was made up. Schick was up again, took the penalty and sent Livakovic the wrong way: 0-1 to the Czech Republic. Hard to feel sorry for Lovren, but the yellow card was another kick in the cobblers!

Croatia were understandably fired up and surged forward with intent. Brekalo played in Rebic on the left, but he rushed his shot and missed the near post. For a while, it was all Croatia. Kovacic set up Kramaric, but his shot flew wide, before the Czechs next got forward. In three added minutes, a foul on Schick gave him another attempt on goal, but his free kick flew just wide of the top left corner. Half-time = 0-1.

With his side facing another defeat, Zlatko Dalić wasted no time in making changes. On came Ivanusec and Petkovic for Brekalo and Rebic and his side were fast out of the traps after the break. Gvaediol was brought down by Masopust and, from the free kick, Kramaric found Kovcic but the Chelsea man’s shot was too high. Then Holes brought down Kramaric on halfway, but the Croat got up and drilled a low ball down the left to Perisic running into space. With defenders flooding back, the Inter player cut inside, sat Coufal down and drilled a right footed shot into the far corner. The equaliser to make it 1-1. Replays showed the keeper did not cover himself in glory, but the ball was well struck and past him in no time. Game on now!

With 40' left, either side might have won this and the fact there were no further goals was down to excellent defending, rather than any lack of attacking ambition. Another foul on Gvardiol by Masopust saw his name taken. Soucek shot wide and Boril’s header was blocked, before Ivanusec and Kramaric went close up the other end. On the hour, the Czechs won a corner, when Soucek’s shot deflected off Petkovic. Darida’s cross found Schick in the box, but his header went high. The Czechs then made their first changes, Hlozek and Kral replacing Masopust and Holes, whilst Croatia sent on Vlasic for Kramaric. On 72' Vlasic might have won it for his side, when Brekalo chested down a cross from the left and the forward swept the ball just wide of the post.

Two more Czech subs came on, Sevcik and Krmencic for Jankto and Schick, before Soucek set up Hlozek whose shot went over. Then Boril’s foul on Petkovic saw him carded and, on 87', both sides made their final changes – Barak for Darida and Brozovic for Kovacic. In the final minutes, Croatia looked the more likely and the Czech players were forced backwards. Their best chance came when a long forward chip down the left was headed across by Perisic. The ball fell for Petkovic whose shot was good, but the block by Kalas was superb and sent the ball out for a corner. Petkovic even got on the end of Modric’s corner but his goal-bound header was blocked by Soucek.

In added time, Hlozek got a yellow for bringing down Petkovic, but no further chances were created. A 1-1 draw was probably enough to see the Czechs through and the point meant Croatia would join them should they beat Scotland upon their return to Hampden.

---

---

England v Scotland

---

IBO Reporter : Spot51

---

---

|Having seen off their conquerors in Russia in the opening game, England next entertained their oldest enemy. Southgate stuck with his 4-3-3, only replacing his fullbacks with James and Shaw coming in. The Scots, chastened by losing to a decent Czech side, kept their 3-5-2 shape, but made personnel changes. Out went Hendry and Cooper from the back three, replaced by McTominay from midfield and the fit again Tierney. Into midfield came Gilmour and McGregor – meaning Stuart Armstrong was on the bench, BOO! However, Ché Adams did get a start alongside Dykes instead of Christie.

With our referee from Spain and about 20,000 in the crowd the match got underway. With a foot in both camps but a Scummer out there in blue, I was delighted to see Ché was the first to shoot at goal, but his attempt was blocked. He looked lively from the off. The opening action was mostly across midfield where both sides, but mostly Scotland, were inclined to foul rather than tackle opponents. On 11', Foden set up England’s first chance, Mount’s shot deflecting off Hanley for a corner. From this, the Chelsea man sent over a cross which Stones headed powerfully against the woodwork, but the Scots managed to clear the danger.

England’s next attack saw Sterling get to the line and send a low cross to the near post, where Mount stuck it just wide. By 15' McGinn had accrued enough fouls to be carded and soon after Phillips lofted a ball beyond the defence and Foden took a great touch, before shooting just wide – then was flagged offside. Then Stones foul on Dykes got Scotland in shooting range but Tierney’s effort sailed over.

Harry Kane (yes, he was playing) finally showed up on the half hour, but his header from James’ cross went wide. Tierney then overlapped down the left, before finding O’Donnell on the opposite side of the box. Shaw was close, so rather than try to bring it down he took it on the volley and Pickford dived full length to turn it past the post. Ché got to the corner, but could not control his header. Scotland were showing some fight. In the run up to half time Scotland took the game to England, winning a pair of corners and seeing Ché take another shot, this one blocked by a white shirt. At half time it remained 0-0.

It is hard to imagine Gareth delivering a bollocking, but whatever he said at half time seemed to work. It was now all England. They won a brace of corners, the second of which came from Mount, finally getting a shot on target which Marshall tipped away. England kept the ball a lot before, on 55m, Kane rolled the ball to James, who took a shot from outside the box which just missed the top corner.

Scotland then awoke and both Dykes and Ché had shots blocked, before Harry Kane carried the ball up field. Young Gilmour showed he is the complete midfielder by upending the England skipper. Now it was England attacking again. First, Shaw found Foden in the box, but he headed wide, then James played the ball back in, where Kane’s shot deflected off McTominay for a corner. Scotland’s next attack won a corner off Mings, which Robertson took. Hanley’s header was blocked, as was the follow up from Dykes.

England then made their first change, bringing on fans’ favourite Grealish for Foden. Both sides won a corner each, before the Villa captain was introduced to the match, brought down by McTominay. His arrival certainly lifted the team, England seeing plenty of the ball without managing to seriously hurt Scotland. Mount played in Sterling who was flagged offside before a free kick (for another foul on Grealish) was fired over by Shaw.

Next to appear was Rashford, for Kane who passed the armband to Sterling. The foul count continued to rise, before Stu (HOORAY) came off the bench to replace the tiring Gilmour. Clearly inspired by both Scummers out there, Scotland drove forward, but an attempted volley by Ché soared horribly high and wide. Scotland sensed a smash and grab and Rice did well to block McGinn’s shot for a corner. Then, with 4' left, on came Nisbet – for Ché, BOO! Another foul on Grealish saw O’Donnell’s name in the book, but there were no further opportunities to score at either end. Three added minutes came, went and Scotland celebrated a deserved first point.

England were almost certainly through to the knockout stages with 4 points, but would want to beat the Czechs and top Group D. Scotland were still alive but to progress, needed to beat the wily Croatians who were also now on just 1 point. This was the nearest Scotland came to winning at the Euros. With hindsight, it could be seen as the moment Southgate saw the potential damage wingbacks could cause to England. It may have made him set up “too safely” as the competition progressed where tougher sides than Scotland would be waiting.

---

---

---

Croatia v Scotland

---

IBO Reporter : Spot51

---

---

|After the first four matches it seemed that 4 points would get you into the last 16 from Group D. So, whilst England and the Czechs merely sorted pecking order at Wembley, Hampden became the 'Last Chance Saloon' for these two. A draw was not enough, so this game was shit, or bust for Croatia and the Scots. This could have made it a timid, cautious game, but that does not appear to reflect either nation’s character. We got a really competitive, all guns blazing game of football!

Croatia made changes to the side that drew with Czech Republic. One goal in two games was not good enough. Gone was the 4-2-3-1 and with it Vrsaljko at right back and three of the front four. Juranovic was RB in a 4-3-3, with Brozovic into the middle and Vlasic and Petkovic joining Perisic up front. Billy Gilmour was injured, which allowed Stuart Armstrong to return to Scotland’s midfield, so both our boys would be on the park together.

There were less than 10,000 fans watching, as the Argentinian ref set the game in motion. Both sides were in their 'home' shirts and the classic red & white checks were pushed backwards from the off. Scotland won, and wasted, two early corners, before Juranovic got forward, but Petrovic had run offside. Croatia dealt with a third corner, before Ché shot wide with a long-range effort. The #10 then missed a decent chance when he tried, and failed, to bring down McGinn’s floated cross at the back post. “He’s got to go with his head!” wailed pundit McCoist, and he was right.

Croatia still have some of the players that reached the last World Cup Final and when they got the ball and passed it, they oozed class. They went ahead on 17' when Modric, always seeming to have both space and time, rolled the ball to his right. Juranovic crossed deep and Perisic got above O’Donnell and headed it towards Vlasic. He chested the ball down and struck a low shot, past Marshall’s dive into the bottom corner. 1-0 to the R&Ws.

Modric fancied extending the lead on 22', but his long shot flew over the bar. McGinn had a shot saved and Peresic saw his blocked, before Lovren’s uncouth challenge on Adams saw him booked. Grant Handley had played in the centre of the Scottish defence in every game ,but went down with that 'tournament over' look on his face just past the half hour. He was replaced by Scott McKenna, who immediately brought down Petkovic and was carded. Croatia were trying to score from distance now, but both Juranovic and Perisic saw shots miss the target.

On 42' the game changed. Stu found himself wide right and delivered the ball into the box. Both Ché and McMinn tried to get shots away, but the defence struggled to clear the danger. The ball was toed towards the edge of the D, where Callum McGregor took one touch then drove it, hard and low, beyond Livakovic. 1-1 and all square again, which was still the half time score.

No further changes were made at the break and the first shot of this half came from Croatia’s left back, Gvardiol. He latched onto Vlasic’s pass, hit the target but Marshall saved. Croatia had stepped things up and were looking dangerous. Scotland survived a corner before Gvardiol was again testing Marshall’s reflexes. The keeper then made a brave dive to block the ball, as Petrovic slid in, before Perisic ran onto Modric’s pass but the flag was raised.

Scotland had a glorious chance to take the lead just before the hour. They worked the ball out to Stu, this time wide left, who curled a great cross towards the back post. It seemed McGinn just had to bundle the ball home, but somehow it bounced off his shin and went the wrong side of the post. Two minutes later, Croatia scored their second. Gvardiol was up again, sending the ball in from the left. Petkovic laid it back to Kovacic on the edge who was aware of Modric to his right. He rolled the ball to his captain who hit it, outside of the right boot and curled it past Marshall. It was a super strike from the best player on the pitch. 2-1 to Croatia.

Scotland worked a shooting chance following a free kick, but McGregor’s effort was too high. On 70', all hope was lost when Stu was hooked for that awful Ryan Fraser. Croatia then replaced Petkovic with Kramaric and the limping Gvardiol with Barisic. These two combined, but Kramaric was flagged offside. The awful Fraser had an awful shot, before Croatia won another corner and while play was stopped, Ivanusec came on for Vlasic. On the restart, Scotland cleared the immediate danger, but McKenna conceded another on the left. Over came Modric. He picked out Perisic at the near post, who again out-jumped O’Donnell and the Inter man glanced a header beyond Marshall into the far corner. 3-1 to Croatia and that was that!

Scotland ploughed forward. Awful Fraser shot wide, Ché at least forced a save with his effort. Rebic replaced Perisic for the last 10', before McTominay got to Robertson’s corner, but headed over. Then Nisbett and Patterson came on for Ché and O’Donnell. The game deteriorated into a string of fouls, but in the dying minutes Croatia won two more corners, which Scotland survived. Scotland created two more chances in added time, McGinn finding McTominey, but Lovren got in the way. Corner Scotland – Fraser’s kick reached McKenna, but he stuck his header wide. Time up – 3-1 to Croatia.

Scotland showed plenty of effort but too little guile in both boxes. They had their moments, but lacked that calm but effective finishing their opponents displayed. Croatia, by virtue of that third goal, leapt above the Czech Republic to finish second, which meant facing Spain. Scotland stayed home, to watch the rest of the tournament on TV.

---

---

Czech Republic v England

---

IBO Reporter : Spot51

---

---

|These two, on 4 points, were probably headed for the knock-out rounds. The Czech Republic led the group on goals scored, but a win for either tonight would see them finish top. The Czechs kept the same XI that drew with Croatia, but England made four changes – out went James and Mings, replaced by Walker and Maguire at the back and in midfield Saka and Grealish replaced Foden and Mount.

There were just under twenty thousand inside Wembley, with both teams wearing their first-choice kit, the Czechs in red and Blue and England in white, while the referee was from Portugal.

England had the first chance when Shaw’s forward pass found Sterling, who chipped the keeper, but saw his shot bounce off the post. Later, when Kalas fouled Kane, Shaw’s free kick found Stones at the back post, whose header went just wide. A minute later Kane’s shot from range went over.

England’s early pressure was rewarded on 12', after Saka and Phillips got down the right before crossing to Grealish. He exchanged passes with Kane before crossing to the back post. The ball went over Saka but, behind him, Sterling headed in from close range: 0-1 to England.

During the next 10' the Czechs worked their way into the game – both sides were happy to put their feet in to disrupt the other’s work. Harry Maguire began carrying the ball out from the back and sent a defence splitting defence into the stride of Shaw, but the left back had run offside. Three minutes later, another Maguire forward pass reached Kane who dropped a shoulder, cut inside Kalas and drove a low, hard shot towards the far corner. It was going by Vaclik but he got a strong left hand to the ball and was bailed out by his defence.

Holes then got his sides first shot on target, played in by Soucek and forcing a full-length dive from Pickford to turn it round the post. Jankto’s corner was met by Holes, but his header went wide. More Czech pressure saw Schick find Kalas, whose shot deflected off Shaw for another corner. Soucek shot wide before England got forward again, but made nothing of a corner. The next Czech attack, down their left, saw Boril’s cross come into the box. Jankto tried to swivel and volley it goal-wards, but Shaw’s diving header knocked it away. The ball reached Soucek who shot, right footed, and his reaction suggested it was only just wide. Shaw got up and carried on.

In the run up to half time, no further clear chances were created, but the foul count rose. Grealish continued to be the most popular player for the opposition to kick, but England spread their fouls around. Half time came and Sterling’s goal was still the difference. 0-1.

Both sides made a change for the second half, Sevcik on for Jankto and Henderson for Rice. You got the impression both sides seemed happy with the score-line, as 4 points looked good enough to proceed from the group and Czech Republic were happy for England to meet whoever came through second from Group F. England were happy to let the Czechs have the ball, but sat in to keep them away from goal. This phoney war lasted till the hour mark, when Pickford saw Sterling loitering up-field and launched a long clearance towards him. The forward collected the ball behind Czech lines but was halted by a raised flag.

The ref had let plenty go, but Boril’s foul on Sako got him the game’s only booking. On 64', Kral and Hlozek came on for Darida and Masopust. Soon after, Southgate sent on Rashford and Bellingham for Sterling and Grealish, but the tempo did not increase. Both sides won, and wasted, corners before the next subs were introduced – Peckhart for Schick and Mings for Stones – first teamers being rested?

On 83', we had a shot on goal. Soucek’s forward pass hit Peckhart and dropped invitingly for him to hit. Pickford was happy to watch it roll wide. Then Sancho was on for Saka and Vydra for Holes but, out of the blue, the ball was suddenly in the net. Sancho sent Rashford into the box. His attempted cut back was partially cleared but Bellingham got his foot in, prodding it to Henderson who calmly turned and slotted it in. Replays showed both he and Rashford were way offside but the usual delay meant celebrations were at an advanced stage when the flag went up.

In added time the Czechs made a cursory attempt to draw level, but Kral shot high and then Vydra ran offside. Time was up and, as expected, both sides were through. England had to wait to see which side finished second in “the Group of Death” but the Czechs had been dropped to third by Croatia’s 3 goals at Hampden. They now faced a last 16 match with the Netherlands – one of three sides topping their group after three straight wins. Ouch!

---