England Report Cards:
Toothless Three Lions fortunate to draw with Scotland

The 115^th meeting between the Auld Enemy finished scoreless, with Gareth Southgate’s England held to a goalless draw with Scotland in the sides’ second game of EURO 2020.

The opening forty-five minutes of play were a story of English possession and Scottish chances. Although John Stones went closest to breaking the deadlock, rattling the woodwork with a header, it was the visitors who created more goal-scoring opportunities before the break.

On the half-an-hour mark, England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford was forced into a fine save, sprawling to his right to fist Stephen O’Donnell’s shot to safety. At the other end of the field, David Marshall was also kept busy – albeit faced with less dangerous attempts on his goal.

As a result, Scotland manager Steve Clarke entered the break happier than his counterpart. Although the Three Lions dominated possession in the first half, the travelling Scots rarely looked troubled.

The game continued in a similar vein following the interval: England controlled the ball while Scotland marshalled the tie. Southgate’s side huffed, puffed, and saw their attacks routinely breakdown. Scotland, meanwhile, continued to up the ante, forcing Reece James into a goal-line clearance on 63 minutes.

However, neither side was able to break onto the scoresheet – with the full-time whistle met with boos from the home crowd.

The result leaves England on four points after two games, placing Southgate’s side on the cusp of qualification. Scotland must beat Croatia on Tuesday to keep their European Championship dream alive.

Player of the Match:

Jordan Pickford – Had the Evertonian shot-stopper not thwarted O’Donnell’s first-half strike, a disappointing night for England would have been truly disastrous.

Furthermore, Pickford commanded his penalty area with confidence – a task he sometimes struggles with at club level.

For all of the Three Lions’ talent, it was Pickford who made the difference for his side. Well played, sir.

B+

Reece James and Luke Shaw – Drafted into the starting XI as replacements for Kieran Trippier and Kyle Walker, James and Shaw were solid enough at full-back for England.

Both full-backs made key defensive interventions, with Shaw breaking up a promising counter-attack and James heading a shot off the line. They were fine.

Tyrone Mings and John Stones – The subject of much contestation before the tournament, England’s Mings-Stones central defensive pairing was dependable versus Scotland.

After an equally adequate performance against Croatia, one question lingers: will Harry Maguire be reinstated at centre back for the final game of the group stage?

C

Raheem Sterling – The Manchester City winger had bright moments before the break, including a clever run halfway through the first period that unlocked the Scottish defence.

A keen and intelligent runner off the ball, Sterling struggled to make his mark under the Wembley floodlights this time out.

Phil Foden – Once again, Foden drifted in and out of the contest. As The Boar’s Ben Northcott notes, the youngster’s final product was left wanting against the Scots.

I thought Foden did okay, not great but okay. Relatively sharp and made some good runs but not enough end product for him or anyone else really. Would've personally subbed Kane for Grealish and played with a false 9 which seems a fairly common opinion on twitter.

— Ben Northcott (@bnorthc29) June 18, 2021

Kalvin Phillips – Imperious against Croatia, Phillips lost his latest midfield battle against Billy Gilmour.

England will face sterner tests if they are to qualify for the last sixteen, Phillips must improve versus the Czech Republic if he is to keep Jordan Henderson out of the side.

Declan Rice – West Ham’s defensive midfield maestro spent much of the game with one hand in the air, pleading for his teammates to give him the ball. Unfortunately, Rice did little when handed possession.

As Southgate’s deepest midfielder, it is Rice’s job to recycle English attacks and pick off loose balls from the opposition. He fulfilled neither task brilliantly against Scotland.

C-

Mason Mount – With ample opportunities to create chances from dead-ball situations, the Champions League winner was completely ineffectual.

Perhaps Mount’s worst performance for England.

D

Harry Kane – Southgate substituted his captain when his side most needed a goal… which is telling.

Kane’s performance was lethargic and missing any sort of cutting edge.

Will the wantaway Spurs forward start England’s next game? Probably – but it speaks volumes that the question is being asked.

Nothing to See:

Jack Grealish and Marcus Rashford – Second-half subs, Grealish and Rashford did little to shake up the contest. Neither should be blamed for England’s malaise.

Team Report:

Slow. Lacklustre. Tepid. The Three Lions failed to inspire versus Scotland.

Captain Kane will shoulder much of the blame, although at least four of his teammates are similarly culpable for tonight’s draw.

Full marks for Pickford. The less said about the rest, the better.

Most England players were poor for me. Mings was again decent though, and Grealish was a threat when he came on.

Much to improve on!

— Sam Matthews Boehmer (@BoehmerSam) June 18, 2021

Future Thoughts:

As the Tartan Army boogies into the night, Southgate will be left staring at his ceiling.

If the Three Lions boss is unable to rally his troops for a meeting of the Auld Enemies, what hope does England have for a potential round of sixteen clash with Portugal?

If England are to top Group D something has to change against the Czech Republic. At the very least, Jadon Sancho must be restored to England’s matchday squad.

Next Up:

Czech Republic versus England – Tuesday 22 June, 20:00, ITV 1