SEVILLE (Reuters) - England were held to a goalless 0-0 draw with their oldest rivals Scotland in the Euro 2020 second-round Group D match at Wembley on Friday.
England are level on points with the Czech Republic, who held World Cup runners-up Croatia 1-1 in the day’s earlier match. Both the teams collected four points from the first two matches while Scotland and Croatia are equal on only one.
Croatia will need to beat Scotland in their final group match to keep their qualification hope alive, and England are to strive for the top spot of the group when hosting the Czechs in the last group action.
England and Scotland met for the 115th time since 1872 when there was the world’s first international football fixture. Their previous meeting at a major tournament came in the group stage of Euro 1996, with England winning 2-0.
On the rain-soaked pitch at Wembley, the two teams fought hard in the middle field with England pressing to the front more frequently.
In the 11th minute, John Stones headed Mason Mount’s corner to the post. Two minutes later, Mount missed the target by inches after receiving Raheem Sterling’s smart low cross in the box.
Scotland, which qualified for the finals of Euro for the first time in 25 years, missed their best chance in the first half as Jordan Pickford barred Stephen O’Donnell’s volley with a single hand in the half-hour mark.
England looked dangerous at the beginning of the second half, but Scotland kept calm in defense.
Scotland captain Andy Robertson from Liverpool and Arsenal defender Kieran Tierney played toughly while their 36-year-old goalkeeper David Marshall also made a fine save.
Aston Villa playmaker Jack Grealish and Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford were sent onto the pitch by England manager Gareth Southgate, but the sparks they brought were not enough to break Scotland’s defense.
Scotland kept their hopes of reaching the knockout stage alive with one point after two games, while England will face the Czech Republic in their last group match as both teams have four points in hand.
Croatia will need to beat Scotland in their final group match to keep their qualification hope alive, and England are to strive for the top spot of the group when hosting the Czechs in the last group action.