Croatia won their first match of Euro 2020 and also found a spot in the last 16, thanks to goals from Luka Modric, Ivan Perisic and Nikola Vlasic. Scotland’s hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages ended when Modric scored a stunner in the 62nd minute, followed by an Ivan Perisic header only 13 minutes before full time. The only goal for the Scots came in the 42nd minute via Callum McGregor.

Modric’s goal made him the oldest Croatian to score a goal in a European Championship. Now, Zlatko Dalic’s men will face the Group E runner-up at the Parken Stadium next Monday. Group E comprises Spain, Slovakia, Poland and Sweden.

Scotland were on the backfoot as midfielder Billy Gilmour had tested positive for the coronavirus. Ther 20-year-old got his first international start in the previous game versus England and was very impressive in the goalless stalemate.

“We are happy because we played well and qualified for the next round. We were not happy with performances in our first two matches and we knew we could be better. When we play like this, we are a danger to everyone,” Modric said after the game.

Dalic, who had to face enough criticism for The Blazers’ poor show in the first two matches, said, “I want to thank everyone who has supported us. You are our strength and we will make you proud. The last ten days have been a big test for us. We’ve shown what we can do, and everything will be easier from now on.”

England top Group D

England have only managed two goals in their three group stage clashes, and both of them have come from Raheem Sterling. The Manchester City man has become the first English footballer to score more than once at the European Championship since Wayne Rooney and Frank Lampard in 2004.

The Three Lions beat Czech Republic 1-0, and also cemented their place in the top of the Group D standings, as Sterling headed in a Jack Grealish cross in the 12th minute. But the Czech attack wasn’t quiet either as Tomas Holes and Tomas Soucek got really close to scoring.

Coach Gareth Southgate knew topping the group meant England would play their round of 16 game at the Wembley Stadium, else they would have had to travel to Copenhagen. Heaping praise on the Czechs, he said, “The Czechs are a really good side, they use the ball really well and they're difficult to break down, but there's more to come from us. We're not fluent, but we have moments when we look a good side. There's a lot of good things that we're doing and a lot of positives for us. We wanted to win the group and we wanted to stay at Wembley – we'll wait and see who we play.”

Sterling praised the efforts of midfielders Bukayo Saka and Jack Grealish, saying football matches are won when the goals are not conceded. “We kept the ball better today and found the gaps well, and got the result we needed. Saka and Grealish got in the pockets really well, turned and got on the ball and it's brilliant to have players around you who can create goals. That's part of tournament football, different players for different matches. If you don't concede goals, you win football matches if you can score at the other end – and we've been doing that really well,” said Sterling.

The Three Lions, who might face Germany in the round of 16, have managed to keep a clean sheet in their last five matches, winning four of them.

Today’s matches:

Sweden vs Poland (9:30 pm, IST)
Venue: Krestovsky Stadium

Spain vs Slovakia (9:30 pm, IST)
Venue: Estadio La Cartuja, Seville

Portugal vs France (12:30 am IST, Thursday)
Venue: Ferenc Puskas Stadium

Germany vs Hungary (12:30 am IST, Thursday)
Venue: Allianz Arena