Agency :
England clinched the top spot of Group D at Euro 2020 with a 1-0 win over the Czech Republic on Tuesday, while Luka Modric saved Croatia with a sensational goal and an assist in their 3-1 victory over Scotland.
Thus Croatia also reached the last 16 as the runners-up of the group and the Czech Republic, despite the defeat to England, still advanced to the knock-out stages as one of the four best third-placed teams.
The clash between England and the Czechs was to decide the winners of the group as both teams have already assured a place in the last 16 into the match.
Aston Villa playmaker Jack Grealish and Arsenal teenager Bukayo Saka started for England and Manchester United defender Harry Maguire was back to the starting line-up after recovering from injury.
The Three Lions dominated the pitch since the start with Raheem Sterling hit the woodwork after two minutes.
Ten minutes later, Grealish shot a fine cross into the box with Sterling jumping behind Saka to head home from close range.
“I thought it was a much better performance, attacking-wise,” said the Manchester City striker Sterling after the match. “I thought we had more fluid movement and we created some problems as well. Most importantly, we scored the goal we needed and kept a clean sheet.”
Sterling also scored the only goal in England’s 1-0 win over Croatia in the first round on June 13.
The Czech Republic led the group after two matches with an advantage of goal difference, but their center forward Patrik Schick who scored three times in the first two matches failed to show his power in front of England’s defense.
The Czechs made a few threats through counter-attacks and their best chance in the first half was Tomas Holes’ long shot from the middle but was palmed away by England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.
The second half was comparatively dull. Both teams made several changes but no one could change the scoreline.
England will wait to host the second-placed team in Group F at Wembley one week later. Their next opponents could be Portugal, France, Germany or Hungary.
In Glasgow, midfield master Modric struck a stunning second-half goal, before setting up another for Ivan Perisic to help Croatia beat Scotland 3-1.
