Staff Reporter.
@EURO2020.
Raheem Sterling’s second goal of Euro 2020 saw England beat the Czech Republic to win Group D and set up a last-16 tie against France, Germany, Portugal or Hungary at Wembley.
Sterling hit the post inside the first two minutes with a lob but was on the scoresheet soon afterwards when he headed in a cross by Jack Grealish, who marked his first start at the tournament with an assist.
Bukayo Saka was also involved in the goal and the Arsenal full-back was particularly impressive in the first half with his driving runs.
Harry Kane saw a strong curled effort kept out by Tomas Vaclik, while Tomas Holes’ strike had England keeper Jordan Pickford scrambling at the other end.
The second half was largely forgettable. Jordan Henderson had the ball in the back of the net late on but his hopes of a first England goal were denied by an offside.
England will play the runner up in Group F at Wembley on Tuesday, 29 June (17:00 BST). The final Group F games take place on Wednesday, with Germany facing Hungary and Portugal playing France (both 20:00 BST).
Meanwhile Scotland’s dream of making history by progressing at Euro 2020 came to a sobering end with a heart-breaking defeat by Croatia at Hampden.
With both sides knowing a win would grant passage to the last 16, Nikola Vlacic arrowed the World Cup finalists into an early lead to silence the national stadium in Glasgow.
However, a thundering drive just before half-time from Callum McGregor caused the 12,000 to explode in a cacophony of hope.
But Luka Modric’s sumptuous first-time shot after an hour broke Scotland just after the hour and Ivan Perisic glanced in a third from a corner to record Croatia’s first-ever win over the Scots.
The margin of victory was also enough to earn them second place in the group ahead of the Czech Republic on goals scored, with both those sides advancing to the last 16.