AGI – Goalless at Wembley in the British derby between England and Scotland. Although the underdogs were all on the side of the British, the Southgate team did not go beyond 0-0 against a well-organized Scotland defensively and dangerous in the few offensive occasions.
First time of great study between the two national teams that give little. The biggest chance is for the English brand on the development of a corner: all’11’ Mount puts it in the middle, Stones he anticipates everyone, heads off but the ball hits the post.
For the rest, many yawns and only one gasp in the 30th minute with Scotland thanks to O’Donnell’s right-footed volley neutralized by a great intervention by Pickford. A more lively match, on the other hand, in the second 45 minutes dove England raises the pressure and constantly seeks the way of the network. First Mount, on 48 minutes, finds a great response by Mashal on the first post. Then seven minutes later Kane catches James who kicks from the edge just above the crossbar.
From a corner, however, Scotland is again close to scoring the advantage with a left-handed from Dykes saved on the line from uJames own timely intervention. Many actions on both sides up to 90 ‘that do not change the final result. At Wembley it ends, with a hint of surprise, 0-0. An equal that is close to England who will have to fight for the record against the Czech Republic in the next match.
For Scotlandinstead it is a breath of fresh air in view of the decisive clash against Croatia. In group D everything is still open to any result and with England not engaging, all rivals can still hope.
Croatia still postpones the appointment with the victory at Euro 2020. Dalic’s men come stopped at 1-1 against the Czech Republic which inaugurates the match report with the usual Schick (top scorer of the tournament at 3) on a penalty before being caught by the right of Ivan Perisic in the second half. With only one point in two races the team led by Modric risks elimination in group D.
L‘The Croatians’ approach to the Glasgow match is nothing short of revisable. They are not watching the Czechs who are exploiting the wave of enthusiasm they begin to attack continuously: at 18 ‘there is the first real chance on Schick’s feet which ends badly also due to the disorder of Kovacic. At 21 ‘he risks making a disaster the goalkeeper Vaclik who in an attempt to return hits Rebic in full with the ball that ends up on the bottom. Perisic also tries on 23 ‘but the shot from the Nerazzurri winger is too central to worry the goalkeeper. The twist comes at minute 33 when Lovren elbowed against Schick.
Protests enliven the Var room e the referee Del Cerro Grande that goes to review the action on the monitor and awards the penalty: with the blood dripping from the previous blow, it could only be Patrik Schick himself who unlocked the contest. Croatia would have the chance to equalize immediately: in the 39th minute, however, Ante Rebic (replaced at half time) devoured the 1-1 from a favorable position. In the second half a couple of changes give new life to Madric and his teammates.
The 1-1 is a reality, not from a Milan player, but from an Inter player: Perisic focuses and lets go of an impregnable diagonal in the 47th minute. The Czech Republic does not lose heart and returns to attack, with Soucek for example, who in the 53rd minute releases a low shot just wide. As the minutes passed, the Croatians believed in the comeback and touched it in the 72nd minute with Vlasic’s right, just above Livakovic’s goal. In the end, however, the rhythms are lowered, the defenses are closed (especially that of the Czechs) and Croatia sees the second round away.
A painful victory and momentary first place in group E for Sweden who folded 1-0, thanks to a penalty converted by Forsberg, Slovakia on the second day of the Euro2020 group stage. The Swedish coach Andersson sends the recovered Kukusevski on the bench (recovered from Covid), preferring not to change anything compared to the initial eleven of the 0-0 draw with Spain: Forsberg and Larsson wide in midfield, the Isak-Berg couple forward. On the other hand, Tarkovic changes two pieces, inserting Hrosovsky and Koscelnik in the middle of the field; forward only Duda with the former Napoli Marek Hamsik behind him.
In a ‘Gazprom Arena’ in St. Petersburg with 17,000 spectators in the stands the race begins at a slow pace. At 5 ‘the first ring is from Slovakia: corner in Hamsik, Kucka heads off but his shot ends high. The Swedish response comes in the 13th minute with Lustig’s header that does not frame the door. The two teams fail to create concrete scoring. At minute 27 it is Berg who tries: Augustinsson wins the duel in the left lane with Koscelnik and crosses in the center of the area, a double attempt by Berg with the Slovak defense who, however, manages to avert the danger.
Close to the end of the first fraction Slovakia reappears with a long-range shot by Hamsik that ends well over the crossbar. Sweden had an excellent start in the second half, but Slovakia became dangerous with a shot by Duda who did not find the door. The best opportunity comes after an hour of play and is a Swedish brand:cross di Larsson from the right, Augustinsson heads off at the far post, but Dubravka is careful and sends for a corner. At 67 ‘action in photocopy: Lustig’s cross and Isak’s header that ends slightly high. Four minutes later, coach Andersson’s team still has a good initiative with Isak, but once again Dubravka says no.
At 75 ‘key episode of the match with the inclusion of Quaison, Dubravka knocks him out: penalty kick for Sweden. From the spot goes Forsberg who makes no mistake and scores his tenth goal in the national team. In the final minutes another opportunity for the Swedes but Isak gets wrapped up and ends up being recovered by the opponents. It ends like this, Sweden-Slovakia 1-0. On the next day Sweden-Poland and Slovakia-Spain.
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