England vs Scotland.
25 years in the making at a major international tournament, 25 years since Paul Gascoigne scored that goal at Euro 96 and what’s felt like 25 years – thanks to sodding coronavirus – since there was Scottish-themed chaos on the streets of London.
To set the scene early doors; England had won their opening Group D clash against Croatia, while Scotland had slipped to a disappointing defeat to Czech Republic at Hampden Park. Victory would seal the Three Lions’ passage into the round of 16, while the Scots just wanted any kind of positive result to keep their Euro 2020 hopes alive. Obviously, victory being the ultimate goal.
But before things were close to getting underway, there was bedlam thanks to a large swathe of travelling Scotland supporters – and we’re not ashamed to say we absolutely loved it.
Thousands of Scotland fans are ‘boogying’ their way to London ahead of Scotland’s #EURO2020 clash against England at Wembley on Friday. This was the scene on the @ABZ_Airport to @Gatwick_Airport @easyJet flight this morning. #SCO #eng #ENGSCO ⚽️ [?Ruaridh MacVinish] pic.twitter.com/LXzaxmvCx1
— Ben Philip (@BenPhilip_) June 17, 2021
#Scotland fans arriving at Kings Cross #ENGSCO #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/vrykXcNfYU
— Chris McLaughlin (@BBCchrismclaug) June 17, 2021
Old man just sent me this. The Scots are in town. pic.twitter.com/WMgL81NOVE
— Louis Beneventi ??⭐️⭐️ (@Louis_Beneventi) June 18, 2021
Scotland fans in Leicester square ??♂️? pic.twitter.com/VpDJmTe6cU
— Alex (@mralexthfc) June 18, 2021
The Scotland fans have found the fountain in Leicester Sqaure #SCO #SCOENG pic.twitter.com/XZsx27pgMg
— Kevin Jackson (@kevinnjackson) June 17, 2021
My favourite by far: pic.twitter.com/t891BRf2lk
— Richard Furness (@reFurness) June 18, 2021
With about 439,000 pints sunk across the capital, swimming lessons completed in Leicester Square and game time approaching, it was time for the teams. England made a couple of changes, bringing in Reece James and Luke Shaw, and there was an opportunity for young Scotland star Billy Gilmour to show what he’s really made of from the start.
Inevitably, there was palpable excitement on the phones of all those with access to beloved Twitter – many wondering what Jack Grealish has got to do in order to get a meaningful start for England.
Luke Shaw and Reece James starting means England are already playing with 2 men down.
— Don?? (@Opresii) June 18, 2021
Luke Shaw x Reece James master class incoming pic.twitter.com/yA7PJcfm5Z
— ????? ??????? ? (@snlmbrs) June 18, 2021
Reece James masterclass absolute baller
— 3vdb (@Reece_nw) June 18, 2021
No @JackGrealish again
He must have dirt on Southgate cause I don’t get him not being picked again
— United forever (@Utd_4_eva) June 18, 2021
Play Jack Grealish in the 10 role ahead of Mount
— Hybrid 8/10 ???? (@emperor_teejhay) June 18, 2021
Would have liked Grealish to start. But much better full backs. Come on @England!! #ENGSCO https://t.co/4IT7FOt9Kk
— Matthew Bromley (@MatthewBromle18) June 18, 2021
Buzzing for Billy Gilmour getting a start!! Go on wee man ???????????????? https://t.co/rRL3lZZu8m
— ً (@imstephaniex) June 18, 2021
Billy Gilmour, Reece James and Mason Mount starting ? pic.twitter.com/orKy0xfVf0
— Felix (@cfc_felix_) June 18, 2021
With the rain continuing to poor down at Wembley, and both anthems out of the way, it was time to get started.
And from Scotland striker Lyndon Dykes’ point of view, it was time to clatter Luke Shaw in the chops right from the first whistle – preferably with a flailing arm.
I believe that’s what’s known as “letting him know you’re there” from Lyndon Dykes on Luke Shaw
— Jordan Elgott (@JElgott) June 18, 2021
Dykes smashing Shaw in the first 5 seconds ? #QPR #ENGSCO
— Darren Pickard (@darrenpickard) June 18, 2021
dykes putting shaw on his arse in the first 10 seconds 🙂 what we like to see
— Dons Live (@dons_live) June 18, 2021
We didn’t have to wait too long for the first clear cut opportunity, either. Scotland went to sleep from a corner, John Stones leapt about 200ft in the air – but instead of burying his header into the corner of David Marshall’s net, he powered his header against the woodwork.
Cue ‘how did you bloody miss that’ rants…
What a chance that is! ?
Stones meets a corner from close range… but his effort cannons back off the post #ENGSCO | #ITVFootball | #Euro2020 pic.twitter.com/cXH2L7UQiu
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 18, 2021
John Stones you HAVE to bag that
— Thomas (@TN25_) June 18, 2021
John Stones should’ve scored #ENGSCO pic.twitter.com/bFpY8m8acP
— Darren Richards (@DarrenRichie) June 18, 2021
John Stones has done everything right there apart from score, he HAS to. #EURO2020
— C A R E F R E E (@CarefreeEdition) June 18, 2021
OH MY DAYS HOW BLOODY CLOSE WAS THAT pic.twitter.com/m0SSp5FDBW
— john stones ? (@heathercanny123) June 18, 2021
John Stones pic.twitter.com/273VWRfbQ8
— Oluwajomiloju (@JomiAdeniran) June 18, 2021
I saw my John stones stocks heading to the moon before my eyes pic.twitter.com/yiOP9kvIVl
— 2 (@aibralite) June 18, 2021
John Stones…. pic.twitter.com/DRAFMRWFUB
— Biccys (@biccysthefishy) June 18, 2021
John Stones can fly, apparently
— ?️? ?️⚧️ Liam ?️⚧️ ?️? (@RhylBoi) June 18, 2021
Much of the build-up was centred around Gareth Southgate’s team selection. Would Jadon Sancho be given a go, does Southgate have a grudge against Grealish and does wonder boy Jude Bellingham deserve a starting role in central midfield.
But one man who isn’t talked about when it comes to tournament football for England is Jordan Pickford. A walking disaster (most of the time) for Everton, he seems to undergo some kind of metamorphosis once that Three Lions badge touches his chest.
Just before the half hour mark, he showed his class again – parrying away a decent effort from Stephen O’Donnell, who had been derided all week by Scotland fans on social media.
Jordan Pickford, that is special ?#ENGSCO | #ITVFootball | #Euro2020 pic.twitter.com/pKpkqkeksk
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 18, 2021
So error prone with his club but Pickford hits a different gear when he plays for England#EUROS2020 #ENGSCO #ENG
— Fragment (@fragmentdandb) June 18, 2021
Pickford when he plays for England ??????? pic.twitter.com/N7zz4IG1hk
— ?? (@CfcHugoo) June 18, 2021
Jordan Pickford for England vs Jordan Pickford for Everton pic.twitter.com/WWeznw3Lw5
— LI?️M (@UTDIiam) June 18, 2021
O’Donnell nearly just did this in real life to everyone on twitter pic.twitter.com/clsXLEpxXh
— CJ (@cjnovo992) June 18, 2021
If O’Donnell scored that I think everyone would have close their account on this website after his shite performance on Monday. #SCO #EURO2020
— Sean ??????? (@Seany_67) June 18, 2021
From an England perspective, it really wasn’t great viewing. From a Scotland perspective, job more than done at half-time! A fifth win in the capital in 55 years incoming? Potentially.
As you’d expect, the majority of musings at the break pointed towards England’s turgid build-up play, with, shock horror, one man in particular being begged for as the first change.
10 – Harry Kane had just 10 touches in the first half; the fewest of any player in the match, while just one was in Scotland’s box and the England forward completed just two of five passes attempted. Isolated. #ENG #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/hDwf3F7wGf
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 18, 2021
Why do people expect England to be so good in tournaments? They couldn’t win with Beckham, Scholes, Lampard, Gerrard, Coke, Rio, Terry, Owen & Rooney, why do fans expect anything different from this group?
— Jay Sharma ⚽️??? (@Jay_Sharma95) June 18, 2021
That was a whole lot of energy and not a lot else really
— Scott Saunders (@_scottsaunders) June 18, 2021
Have yet to see this England team that are bookies favourites to win #EURO2020. Not sure they even exist. pic.twitter.com/mIFmSFpWE2
— Jack Gallagher (@calciolovesjack) June 18, 2021
Everyone hoping for a repeat of the Dentist Chair. Instead that first-half was like receiving anaesthetic.
— Tom Sleeman (@TomSleeman11) June 18, 2021
Harry Kane touched the ball just 10 times in that half, only one shot which was off target. Game has passed him by. #Euro2020
— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) June 18, 2021
Well that was horrendous.
— Alex Bullions (@alex_bullions) June 18, 2021
Poor first half – no intensity whatsoever.
— Alec Whitaker (@AlecW95) June 18, 2021
Jack Grealish is the man of the match so far and hasn’t even stepped on to the pitch. ? pic.twitter.com/vaODRlCtkP
— 90min (@90min_Football) June 18, 2021
Hate to say it but this game is crying out for Jack Grealish.
— Dave Little (@DaveLittle60) June 18, 2021
Grealish would be nice
— Owen Maers ??????? (@OwenMaers) June 18, 2021
It is such an obvious comment to make but this match is screaming out for Jack Grealish. England too slow in their build-up play and are allowing Scotland to get plenty of players behind the ball. #ENGSCO #EURO2020
— Brad Cox (@BradJCox_) June 18, 2021
Unsurprisingly, such changes at the break were not forthcoming. Gareth Southgate is a man who wears tailored waistcoats, did you really think he was going to panic after 45 minutes?
Well, he possibly should of. England were dreadful for the first 15 minutes after the break, and were it not for James – heading off his own line from a Dykes effort (that was going just wide, admittedly) things could have been a lot worse.
Then, on the hour, it was time for Grealish – but to the chagrin of a fair few, Foden was the one to make way.
Eh, I’d be hooking Rice for Grealish and maybe moving to a diamond. England need to be direct and bring Harry into it. The system is ALL WRONG!
— Colin (@London_Skylines) June 18, 2021
Grealish has been on for 1 minute and has done more than sterling has all game
— #HUSTLE CHAMPIONS OF EUROPE ⭐️⭐️ (@Uncle_Rudi) June 18, 2021
Wait. Southgate has been keeping Grealish off the pitch all this time because the only player he thought he could sub him for was Foden? Truly mad #ENGSCO
— Ian Silvera (@ianjsilvera) June 18, 2021
How is GARETH depriving us of a foden and grealish link up
— 3️⃣?? (@muni_tee) June 18, 2021
Southgate bottles it taking Foden off for Grealish instead of sterling
— Dannyboy☘️ (@Dan_OLoughlin87) June 18, 2021
Foden off. Grealish on. #ENG Said on @footy_prime with @jamessharman it seems like Southgate doesn’t believe he can have both Jack & Phil in the same team. #Proof
— Brendan Dunlop (@Brendan_Dunlop) June 18, 2021
Grealish’s introduction didn’t have the intended effect. England remained laboured, off the pace and Harry Kane, well, was very, very ordinary.
Things were so bad for Kane that for the second time in two games, he was hooked – this time with his country still seeking a winner…
Is Alan Shearer in the stadium? He can’t be any slower than Kane
— Tim Shipman (@ShippersUnbound) June 18, 2021
Kieffer Moore has 1 goal from 2 games played at the euros
Harry Kane has 0 goals from 6 games played at the euros.
Our striker is clear ??????? pic.twitter.com/kOnC6J3S6o
— Nathan (@nathanbluebird) June 18, 2021
So you’re telling me Harry Kane can’t deliver with this supporting cast ?????????????????????????? ?????????????????????????? pic.twitter.com/MhcSLtka8U
— LeoulPrince ? (@LeoulPrince7) June 18, 2021
There were supporting voices, however, among the many, many critics…
Harry Kane will probably come good against the Czech Republic but he’s had a stinker of a tournament so far.No threat and subbed twice.#ENG #SCO EURO2020
— Andy Naylor (@AndyNaylorBHAFC) June 18, 2021
Harry Kane is sandbagging his value so more teams can afford to buy him from Tottenham. pic.twitter.com/bpUbfWpUKK
— Tom Fornelli (@TomFornelli) June 18, 2021
Everyone’s been terrible. When it’s as bad as this, you blame the tactics and the manager. Can’t single out one player, and most certainly not Harry Kane.
— Noz Ahmed (@NozAhmed) June 18, 2021
Harry Kane will get more criticism, but the service in to him was almost non-existent. England completely lacking in creativity and a willingness to take risks.
— Alasdair Gold (@AlasdairGold) June 18, 2021
Kane’s departure from the field didn’t alter the course of the game, and instead Scotland held on for a thoroughly deserved point.
Steve Clarke’s boys came to Wembley with a game plan, executed it superbly and left England scratching their heads as to whether they ever really thought ‘it was coming home’.
Billy Gilmour had played 40 minutes for Scotland before tonight. He finished the game as MOTM.
Having the bravery to make bold decisions can sometimes pay huge dividends. Perhaps others can take note…
— Top Bins Talk (@TopBinsTalk) June 18, 2021
Scotland deserved a point. England need to pick their best team to play better football. They will still be hard to beat and progress deep into the tournament. Not sure they can win it. Some really good teams in this.
Billy Gilmour superb. What a first start. ?
— Joey Barton (@Joey7Barton) June 18, 2021
Anyway, thousands of Scotland fans will be pleased to go home tomorrow with a well-earned point and a huge spike in the delta variant.
— Stig Abell (@StigAbell) June 18, 2021
Unreal performance from Billy, exactly the type of player we need. Has to start every game for Scotland ???? pic.twitter.com/83i0FXMJrQ
— Jamie Hogan ??????? (@JamieHogan99) June 18, 2021
England lucky to get a point.. BRILLIANT PERFORMANCE SCOTLAND ????????
— Lisa Evans (@LisaEvans_17) June 18, 2021
It’s like Scotland have won the final here at the fan zone in Glasgow. #EnglandvsScotland pic.twitter.com/jgDcAMNnas
— James Cook (@BBCJamesCook) June 18, 2021
??????? To every Scotland fan in Wembley tonight.
??????? To every Scotland fan watching at home.
? You are incredible. Thank you. pic.twitter.com/Jkl0w5vqyB
— Scotland National Team (@ScotlandNT) June 18, 2021
Been a week of the Euros, and how nice of England to give us the worst match of the 21.
— Gary Al-Smith (@garyalsmith) June 18, 2021
Much bigger fan of Gareth Southgate than a lot of England fans but I’m not sure he’s had a good night tonight. #EURO2020
— Steve Madeley (@SteveMadeley78) June 18, 2021
England are joint favourites to win
Also England: pic.twitter.com/mewado7BRm
— Tom Bellingham (@TommyWTF1) June 18, 2021
Personally can’t wait for the reruns of Jack Grealish passing to a sub when England play Scotland in 2046
— Football Ramble (@FootballRamble) June 18, 2021
Whatever side of the fence you sit on, there’s one thing we can all agree on – Scotland’s supporters are incredible and made it a day to remember, despite the result.
