Euro 2020 Daily Wrap: Battle Of Britain Ends In Stalemate And Croatia Stay Alive

On day eight of the tournament, Sweden were the only winners
22:55, 18 Jun 2021

The hype told us England versus Scotland would be a huge game in the first stage of Euro 2020, and while there were no goals it did tell us something about how Steve Clarke's men might still have something to say in this tournament. Elsewhere, there was a rearguard action from Croatia, a stodgy win for Sweden and fantastic news on Christian Eriksen.

England hold Scotland at Wembley

England failed to build on their opening win over Croatia as Scotland responded to their 2-0 loss to the Czech Republic with a stirring performance in a 0-0 draw at Wembley.

Stephen O'Donnell's volley was kept out by a great Jordan Pickford save and Lyndon Dykes saw his second-half cleared off the line by Tyrone Mings as the visitors caused their more fancied rivals all sorts of problems. John Stones hit the post with England's best chance, with the Three Lions now needing to beat the Czechs in their final game to top Group D. Meanwhile, a win for Scotland over Croatia on Tuesday would likely send them through.

SCOTLAND OUTPLAY ENGLAND AND PUT CROATIA ON HIGH ALERT
TyroneMingsLyndonDykesEnglandScotlandEuro2020jpg

Croatia still in with a shout

World Cup finalists Croatia found themselves a goal down against the Czech Republic at Hampden Park and were staring down the barrel of a second straight defeat to begin Euro 2020. But Ivan Perisic's second-half striker earned them a 1-1 draw which keeps them in with a great chance of progressing from Group D.

Patrik Schick had earlier converted from the spot after a VAR review had led to the Czechs being award a penalty for Dejan Lovren's accidental elbow in the face of Schick as the pair challenged for a cross in the Croatia area.

PERISIC'S MOMENT OF QUALITY SAVES CROATIA
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Sweden edge to uninspiring win

A second-half penalty by Emil Forsberg settled a forgettable contest between Sweden and Slovakia, leaving the Swedes on the verge of the last 16.

In a largely dour affair, Robin Quaison was brought down by Slovak keeper Martin Dubravka in the key moment of the game and Forsberg made no mistake from the spot. The result means both teams may yet progress, with Sweden at the top of Group E with four points and Slovakia second on three ahead of Spain's clash with Poland on Saturday.

SWEDEN PICK UP VITAL WIN BUT EURO 2020 FORMAT PRODUCES A STINKER
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Eriksen discharged from hospital

The news the whole of Europe had been waiting for came on Friday as the Danish FA confirmed that Christian Eriksen had been discharged from hospital following the cardiac arrest he suffered on the pitch during Denmark's 1-0 defeat to Finland on Saturday.

"Christian Eriksen has been through a successful operation and was today discharged from Rigshospitalet. Today he also visited the national team in Helsinger and from there he will go home and spend time with his family," said a statement from the DBU.

"Thank you for the massive number of greetings, it has been incredible to see and feel," added Eriksen himself in the statement. "The operation went well and I am doing well under the circumstances. It was great to see the guys again after the fantastic game they played last night.

"No need to say that I will be cheering them on Monday against Russia."

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