Introduction
The latest chapter in football’s oldest rivalry saw England and Scotland clash in a tense Euro 2024 group stage encounter at Wembley. While the scoreline ended goalless, the match provided plenty of talking points about individual performances. Baji live brings you our exclusive player ratings and tactical breakdown of this crucial Group D fixture.
John Stones came close to breaking the deadlock with this first-half header against the post
England Player Ratings
Defensive Unit
Jordan Pickford (8/10)
The Everton goalkeeper made arguably the save of the tournament so far, showing incredible reflexes to deny O’Donnell’s volley. His distribution and command of the area were impeccable throughout.
Reece James (5/10)
Despite delivering one exquisite cross that Kane nearly converted, the Chelsea right-back appeared hesitant going forward, failing to provide the attacking width England needed.
John Stones (6/10)
Made a crucial early block but will rue missing a golden opportunity when his free header struck the post. Solid defensively but should have done better with his chance.
Tyrone Mings (8/10)
The Aston Villa defender thrived against Scotland’s physical approach, winning numerous aerial duels. His performance was one of England’s few bright spots.
Midfield Analysis
Kalvin Phillips (6/10)
Showed glimpses of his attacking intent but couldn’t replicate his influential performance from England‘s opener. Struggled to dictate tempo against Scotland’s compact midfield.
Declan Rice (5/10)
The West Ham anchor was uncharacteristically quiet, failing to provide the defensive shield or progressive passing England required to break down Scotland.
Attacking Performances
Phil Foden (5/10)
The Manchester City star continues to search for his best form in this tournament. Showed flashes of quality but was largely contained before being substituted.
Raheem Sterling (6/10)
Looked more dangerous than in recent months, making several penetrating runs. Had a strong penalty claim waved away late in the game.
Harry Kane (3/10)
A worrying performance from England‘s captain. Managed just 19 touches and no shots on target before being hooked. His lack of mobility and sharpness is becoming a major concern.
Impact Substitutes
Jack Grealish (7/10)
Immediately added creativity and directness after coming on. His introduction sparked England‘s best period and he must be considered for a starting role.
Scotland Player Ratings
Defensive Masterclass
Grant Hanley (8/10)
The Norwich City defender was a colossus at the back, reading the game superbly and making numerous crucial interventions.
Kieran Tierney (8/10)
Excelled in Scotland‘s back three, combining defensive solidity with intelligent build-up play. His partnership with Robertson caused England problems.
Midfield Battles
Billy Gilmour (8/10)
The young Chelsea midfielder grew into the game impressively, completing 100% of his passes and showing remarkable composure under pressure.
John McGinn (7/10)
The engine room of Scotland‘s team, covering every blade of grass and disrupting England‘s rhythm with his tenacious tackling.
Attacking Threat
Che Adams (7/10)
The Southampton striker led the line intelligently, linking play well and creating several chances. Only his finishing let him down on the night.
Tactical Breakdown
Scotland’s 3-5-2 formation effectively nullified England’s attacking threats, with their compact shape forcing Southgate’s side into harmless sideways passes. As Baji live tactical analyst Mark Thompson notes: “Steve Clarke got his gameplan spot on – overloading midfield areas and denying England space between the lines was masterful.”
England’s 4-2-3-1 lacked penetration, with Kane’s static movement compounding their problems. The decision to start Foden wide left rather than Grealish raised eyebrows pre-match and looked even more questionable afterwards.
Conclusion: Baji live Key Takeaways
This stalemate leaves Group D fascinatingly poised heading into the final matches. While Scotland can take immense pride from their performance, England have serious questions to answer about their attacking approach and Kane’s form.
For more in-depth Euro 2024 analysis and exclusive content, stay tuned to Baji live – your home for premium football insights. What did you make of the performances? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
