IN 2021
Modric dream goal saves Croatia in the last sixteen, England possible opponents of Germany
Luka Modric scored the important 2-1 against Scotland
© Stu Forster / POOL / AFP
England positions itself as a potential opponent for Germany. Meanwhile, vice-world champions Croatia saved themselves through Scotland into the last sixteen.
It was already clear before the kick-off that England and the Czech Republic would move into the round of 16 of the European Championship in 2021. The game in London on Tuesday evening had correspondingly low entertainment value. The home side won unspectacularly and largely harmlessly 1-0. Attacker Raheem Sterling (12th minute) scored the victory goal in front of up to 22,500 spectators.
This means that England, first in the group, is a potential opponent for the DFB-Elf, provided that Joachim Löw’s team also make it to the round of 16. If Germany should be second in the group, for example with a victory over Hungary while France over Portugal at the same time, the classic Germany-England would already be on the program in the round of 16.
Modric saves his Croats
Behind England and the Czech Republic, the Croatians around superstar Luka Modric also qualify for the round of the last 16. And with a wonderful goal to the important 2-1 (62nd), he played a significant part in it. The 35-year-old veteran had slipped the ball into the goal with his outside instep from around 20 meters. Nikolas Vlasic (17th) and Ivan Perisic (77th) scored the other goals in the 3-1 win over the now eliminated Scots. Modric had still submitted the Perisic hit from a corner. Callum McGregor (42nd) had equalized for the Scots shortly before the break. It was the first tournament goal for the British who had set out to make it to the finals of a major tournament for the first time.
Should Germany, incidentally, reach the round of 16 as group winners, Switzerland would presumably wait there. If they progressed as third in the group, for example if they were defeated by only one goal difference, Joachim Löw’s team would face Belgium or the Netherlands. The Germans have their fate in their own hands against Hungary on Wednesday evening (9 p.m. kick-off).
