SM
Watford vs. Leeds: 18 hrs 35 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Collect News Data
CN
European Championship | Group Stage
Jun 22, 2021 at 8pm UK
 
SN

Croatia
3 - 1
Scotland

Vlasic (17'), Modric (62'), Perisic (77')
Lovren (26')
FT(HT: 1-1)
McGregor (42')
McKenna (34')

Croatia 3-1 Scotland: Steve Clarke's side bow out of Euro 2020

:Headline: Croatia 3-1 Scotland: Steve Clarke's side bow out of Euro 2020:
Luka Modric scored the pick of the goals in a 3-1 win for his side.
Sports Mole

Scotland’s hopes of winning through to the knockout stages of a major tournament for the first time ended with a sobering 3-1 Euro 2020 defeat by Croatia at Hampden Park.

The Scots, playing in their first major tournament since the 1998 France World Cup, needed a victory in their final Group D fixture to reach the last 16 but despite a big effort fell short again.

Attacker Nikola Vlasic drove in the opener for Croatia in the 17th minute before Callum McGregor gave Steve Clarke’s side encouragement with a leveller three minutes from the break, his first international goal.

Ivan Perisic celebrates scoring Croatia’s third goal (Owen Humphreys/PA)

However, just after the hour mark, captain Luka Modric restored Croatia’s lead with a stunning strike from 20 yards before Ivan Perisic headed in a third in the 77th minute to seal the win and take the Croats through, with Scotland finishing bottom of the section with just one point.

The Scots had not lost to Croatia in their previous five meetings and were hoping to make their own football history.

Clarke made one enforced change to his side, midfielder Stuart Armstrong in for 20-year-old Billy Gilmour who was ruled out after testing positive for Covid-19 following his first start against England at Wembley on Friday night.

Vlasic, Josip Juranovic, Bruno Petkovic and Marcelo Brozovic returned for Croatia.

The Scots roared into the game, winning their first corner within 10 seconds and their second on the back of it, trying not to let their opponents settle.

In the sixth minute attacker Che Adams just missed an in-swinging John McGinn cross by inches with Croatia keeper Dominic Livakovic punching clear for another corner which was repelled.

Adams drove wide from long distance and it was all looking positive for the Scots until they fell behind.

Nikola Vlasic, left, scores Croatia’s first goal (Jane Barlow/PA)

Perisic climbed high above right-back Stephen O’Donnell at the back post to head a deep cross from Juranovic down to Vlasic and he took a touch 10 yards out before firing past defender Scott McTominay and keeper David Marshall, stunning the Tartan Army.

Scotland suffered another blow in the 33rd minute when centre-back Grant Hanley went off injured to be replaced by Scott McKenna, who was booked seconds later for a clumsy foul on Petkovic.

Croatia were dominating the ball and dictating the play but with three minutes of the first half remaining they found themselves pegged back.

Captain Andy Robertson’s cross was only half-cleared to the edge of the box by Domagoj Vida and McGregor took a touch and stepped on to it.

Scotland’s Callum McGregor (left) celebrates his equaliser (Jane Barlow/PA).

The national stadium held its breath for a moment before the Celtic midfielder drilled it low past the despairing Livakovic.

Croatia were first to threaten after the break and Marshall had to be quick out of his goal to foil defender Josko Gvardiol, who burst through the middle of the Scots rearguard.

Moments later, the Scotland keeper made another save from Perisic, who was then flagged offside, before McGinn failed to get a proper connection on an Armstrong cross just a yard from goal.

However, in the 62nd minute Scotland were back to square one and staring at the exit door.

As slick-moving Croatia penned the dark blue jerseys into their own box, Mateo Kovacic set up mercurial midfielder Modric who curled the ball sumptuously from 20 yards with the outside of his right foot past Marshall who had no chance.

Ryan Fraser replaced Armstrong in the 69th minute but there was more woe to follow when Perisic rose above Kieran Tierney to head Modric’s corner in off the far post and it was effectively over for the Scots and their fans, who will return to their armchairs to watch the rest of the tournament.

body check tags ::

amp_article__452397 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2021-06-22 21:18:43:
html db last update - 2021-06-22 21:06:08 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html
Share this article now:


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!
Recommended Next on SM
Liverpool 'resigned to missing out on top managerial candidate'
Mainoo, Rashford, Palmer handed boost in Euro 2024 hopes?
Man City quoted £86m for "exceptional" Newcastle man?
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal28204470244664
2Liverpool28197265263964
3Manchester CityMan City28196363283563
4Aston Villa29175760421856
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs28165759421753
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd28152113939047
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham2912894650-444
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2811985044642
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28125114244-241
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle281241259481140
11Chelsea27116104745239
12Fulham29115134344-138
13Bournemouth2898114152-1135
14Crystal Palace2878133348-1529
15Brentford2975174154-1326
16Everton2887132939-1025
17Luton TownLuton2957174260-1822
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2967163551-1621
19Burnley2945202963-3417
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2835202474-5014
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

history www

Man City injury, suspension list vs. Arsenal - De Bruyne, Stones and more

1

MC

Key Man City duo miss training ahead of Arsenal title clash

2

KM

Man City quoted £86m for "exceptional" Newcastle man?

NEW

3

MC

Arsenal 'optimistic over triple injury boost for Man City clash'

4

A'

Real Madrid 'priced out of move for Liverpool's Alexander-Arnold'

5

RM

Why Chelsea winger Sterling will relish Burnley game

6

WC

How Barcelona could line up against Las Palmas

7

HB

Preview: Aston Villa vs. Wolves - prediction, team news, lineups

8

PA

Key midfield trio 'absent from Real Madrid training on Thursday'

9

KM

Man Utd, Spurs 'alerted to cut-price fee for in-demand defender'

10

MU


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .