Sterling savior again, England beats Czechs
At least England now knows it can rely on Raheem Sterling for goals.
The scoring touch missing at his last three tournaments has been rediscovered on home territory, and it gave his team first place in its group.
EURO 2020
Sterling scored his second goal at Euro 2020 on Tuesday to secure a 1-0 victory over the Czech Republic at Wembley Stadium. Both teams had already qualified for the round of 16.
The header at the far-post from Jack Grealish’s cross in the 12th minute moved England onto a path where its only game away from Wembley will be a potential quarterfinal match in Rome.
Home comforts should certainly help Sterling, who grew up in the shadow of the Wembley arch and is proving to be England’s game-changer.
How unlike the 2014 and 2018 World Cups, and Euro 2016, when Sterling was unable to find the net. This time, it was his goal that also clinched the opening win over Croatia.
The Manchester City player is stepping up as 2018 World Cup Golden Boot winner Harry Kane endures a barren run in front of goal.
Kane at least managed his first shot on target of Euro 2020 against the Czechs after failing to do so against Croatia and Scotland.
Beyond Sterling’s goal, there wasn’t much for the pandemic-restricted crowd of about 20,000 to celebrate.
England will host the runner-up from Group F on Tuesday. That opponent could be World Cup champion France, defending champion Portugal, Germany or Hungary.
The Czechs dropped from first place to third and are uncertain about where their last-16 game will be.
Croatia 3, Scotland 1 — Luka Modric lurked on the edge of the area, waiting for the ball to come to him before perfectly stroking it into the top corner with the outside of his boot.
At 35, this may well be the Croatia captain’s last European Championship, and he doesn’t want to go home yet.
Modric’s majestic goal in the 62nd minute helped Croatia beat Scotland and give the team a spot in the round of 16 at Euro 2020 by finishing second in Group D. Croatia will face the Group E runner-up Monday in Copenhagen.
Modric had a quiet first two group matches, with the midfielder forced into deeper positions and Croatia facing criticism for lacking spark in attack. But the playmaker showed his class and why he won the Ballon d’Or in 2018 — the same year he helped his team reach the World Cup final.
Modric is now the youngest and oldest player to score for Croatia at the European Championship. He scored when he was 22 years, 273 days against Austria in 2008. On Tuesday, he was 35 years, 286 days.
Croatia’s two other goals came from winger Nikola Vlasic’s low shot from close range in the 17th minute and Ivan Perisic’s flicked header in the 77th.