Qualification for a first major finals in 23 years was special, kicking it off at Hampden extraordinary – but this? This is the big one. The standout. The highlight of the pre-tournament schedule. The cherry on the cake. The cone on the statue and the castle on the rock.
As soon as qualification was secured the Tartan Army mobilised despite covid restrictions and now an estimated 20,000 are in London for the game – with only a fraction of that figure carrying tickets to the big game under the arch.
It’s always a big match and this one matters with Scotland needing to register some points to carry any hope of escaping Group D – and England seeking the same to ensure qualification.
That tees up the Auld Enemy clash nicely and we’ll have football writers Alan Pattullo and Barry Anderson on the ground in Wembley for all tonight’s crucial match action and reaction.
So whether you are in the ground with them, in the pub, in London, or in Scotland – or even at work – The Scotsman will be bringing you all the latest build-up, match action and reaction as you’d expect to ensure you don’t miss a thing.
Follow the live blog below and refresh for the latest updates.
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Last updated: Friday, 18 June, 2021, 20:13
- ENGLAND 0 SCOTLAND 0
- SCOTLAND: Marshall, O’Donnell, Robertson, Hanley, McTominay, Tierney, McGregor, McGinn, Gilmour, Adams, Dykes.
- Kick off 8pm – Wembley Stadium, London
- An estimated 20,000 Tartan Army have made the trip to London
- Czech Republic 1 Croatia 1 – FULL TIME
John Stones hits the post – unmarked – from the corner. Lyndon Dykes blocked off from keeping track of his marker.
Some dancing feet from Phil Foden creates an opening for Mason Mount to curl at goal but it’s deflected out for a corner by Grant Hanley.
O’Donnell, Gilmour and McGinn combine for the right-back to tee up Che Adams but the drive was blocked by John Stones.
Both sides take the knee in the pre-match anti-discrimination demonstration and now kick-off is seconds away.
When you can afford to leave Grealish, and Rashford, and Sancho, and Chilwell and Bellingham on the bench among the substitutes it’s an incredible squad – but there’s pressure on Gareth Southgate to do something with it.
Tom English, BBC Scotland
I think coming here, playing two strikers is brave but with three central defender at the other end as well it’s a bit of mix and match. We will try to cause England a few problems and we respect them and they’re going to cause us a few problems too.
Steve Clarke, to ITV Sport
Playing three central defenders, its really important that Tierney and McTominay get us started. We need to feed our midfield players and the two on the outside of the three midfielders have got to advance and draw the English midfield to them and feed passes to little Gilmour, McGinn and McGregor. That’s what we need to do more of.
John Collins, STV
