Euro 2020 Group D: England win, Modric mesmerises, Czechs dazzle

This group had a few surprises but it ended up like most expected it to. England entered the tournament with high expectations and while they did win the group with seven points, they haven’t exactly been the most convincing team around.

Croatia had a shaky start to the competition with a defeat to England while being 1-0 down against Czech Republic. However, they drew the game and an inspirational performance from their talisman Luka Modric against Scotland saw them finish second and make it to the last 16.

Many including myself, didn’t expect a lot from the Czechs in the competition. However, they produced a solid performance against Scotland and secured a draw against the Croats to qualify for the knockout stages for the first time since 2012.

Combined XI (4-3-3) from Group D

Goalkeeper: Jordan Pickford (England)

Defenders: Vladimir Coufal (Czech Republic), John Stones (England), Tyrone Mings (England), Andy Robertson (Scotland)

Midfielders: Luka Modric (Croatia), Kalvin Phillips (England), Declan Rice (England)

Forwards: Ivan Perisic (Croatia), Nikola Vlasic (Croatia), Patrik Schick (Czech Republic)

Jordan Pickford produced some very crucial saves for England during the group stages while both John Stones and Tyrone Mings were formidable at the back. Kalvin Phillips and Declan Rice also produced some fine displays from midfield.

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Croatia needed Luka Modric to step up and he did in spectacular fashion against Scotland. Nikola Vlasic gave a fine performance against Scotland and was also quite threatening during his substitute appearance against Czech Republic.

There’s a good chance of the CSKA Moscow man starting against Spain. Ivan Perisic has often been Croatia’s go-to man in major tournaments and he once again delivered this time, scoring a worldie against Czech Republic followed by another against Scotland.

Vladimir Coufal has had some fine moments at right-back for Czech Republic while Patrik Schick has dazzled spectators with his goals, especially his second against the Scots.

Scotland captain Andy Robertson led from the front and while his team couldn’t go through, he produced some excellent performances on the left flank.

Group D’s Top Team- England

The Three Lions haven’t been the most convincing team in the tournament so far but they had enough to win their group and go through to the knockout stages. Harry Kane is yet to shine but Raheem Sterling netted twice to seal victory over Croatia and Czech Republic.

England also had some decent performances at the back, notably from John Stones who also hit the post against Scotland apart from being solid at the heart of the defense. Jack Grealish also produced a decent performance against the Czechs and he has a strong chance of starting against Germany in the last 16.

Group D’s Best Moment

International tournaments always ask for star players to step up and boy, did Luka Modric step up when needed. After gaining just one point from their first two matches, the World Cup runners-up needed a win over Scotland to advance to the last 16.

They started well with Nikola Vlasic opening the scoring early but conceded an equalizer just before half-time thanks to Callum McGregor’s fine finish.

In the second half, the Croatians got the lead thanks to a moment of inspirational brilliance from Modric whose shot from the outside of his right boot beat David Marshall.

The Croatian captain also assisted his team’s third goal which confirmed the win and their passage to the last 16.

Despite being a few months shy of 36, Modric is showing no signs of slowing down, be it with Real Madrid or Croatia and he will be expected to be at his very best when the Vatreni face Spain in the last 16.

Group D’s Worst Moment

Hard to pick out the worst moment from this group but the England vs Scotland game wasn’t one of the most exciting football matches around. Both sides defended well but were very much lacking offensively.

England’s best chance came in the first half when John Stones’ header hit the post while the Scots’ best opportunity also came during that time but Stephen O’Donnell couldn’t make the most out of it. Eventually, they played out a goalless draw which was to be Scotland’s only point of the tournament.

How badly did the fourth-placed team do

Scotland ended fourth in the group without a single win with their only positive result being the goalless draw against England at Wembley. Andy Robertson produced some good performances for his team but the same can’t be said for the others.

Following their defeat to Czech Republic in which they were continually foiled by the Czech defense and goalkeeper Tomas Vaclik, they kept their hopes alive with a draw against England but Croatia’s dominant performance saw them get eliminated in front of their home crowd.

However, they did have a goal from Callum McGregor besides the point.

Group D’s breakout star

There were a few notable young performers from this group that included Josko Gvardiol and Billy Gilmour who was adjudged the Man of the Match against England. However, the best of the lot is Bukayo Saka.

The Arsenal man had a pretty impressive showing against Czech Republic after not featuring in the previous two. He was a constant threat and played a part in the winning goal. Saka was rightfully awarded the Man of the Match and there is a chance that he could feature in the last 16 fixture against Germany.

Group D’s Best Player

Again, there are several contenders in the likes of Stones and Modric. However, the one player who, in my opinion, impressed the most will have to be Czech Republic’s Patrik Schick.

The Bayer Leverkusen striker did not have the most prolific of seasons with them, scoring 13 goals in 36 matches. However, a lot of hopes were pinned on him ahead of the tournament from a Czech perspective and he delivered.

Schick produced a scintillating performance against Scotland, scoring twice with the second one being from almost 50 yards. He netted his third of the tournament from the penalty spot against Croatia which more or less confirmed their place in the last 16.

Along with Cristiano Ronaldo, Schick has the most shots on target in the tournament with six. The 25-year-old has played a key role in the Czechs qualifying for the knockout stages of a major tournament for the first time in almost a decade and he will be needed to be at his very best if the 1996 runners-up are to stand a chance against the Netherlands.