England 3-0 Scotland

Opponents > England > England 3-0 Scotland, 2016

There is normally a big build up to a Scotland - England game, but this one had more talking points.  First there was the recall of Scott Brown, who came out of international retirement as Scotland's qualification campaign was in trouble.  The next point was a dispute with FIFA, as they were not allowing any of the home nations to wear black armbands with poppies on them.  FIFA stated that they do not allow teams to display political, religious or commercial messages.  Both the SFA and English FA decided to defy FIFA though, and take the punishment that they dish out.

Scotland made a positive start to the game, but after 24 minutes England took the lead.  A shot by Sterling was blocked by Hanley, and the rebound fell to Walker, who crossed a low ball in for Sturridge to head past Gordon.  A few minutes later, Scotland should have equalised when an unmarked Grant Hanley had a free header go over the bar.  On the half hour mark, Scotland had another great chance go abegging.  Lee Griffiths picked up a loose pass from Rooney, and instead of passing to his left to an unmarked Snodgrass, who was through on goal,  Griffiths had a poor shot deflected into Hart's hands.  At the start of the second half, Scotland had two more great chances.  The first one after 49 minutes was when a Wallace cross was left by Griffiths, to fall to Forrest, who controlled the ball before hitting a low shot past the post.  A minute later Scotland came closer.  Lee Wallace played a one-two with Scott Brown, before putting a low ball into the box for Robert Snodgrass, who had his low shot blocked by John Stones.  England then went up to the other side of the pitch and made it 2-0.  Sterling played an overlapping ball to Danny Rose on the wing who played a great ball in for Adam Lallana to head past Gordon.  It was a cruel blow to Scotland who were looking the better team at that moment.  Eleven minutes later, England ended the contest when Gary Cahill scored a third, from a wayne Rooney corner, to make it 3-0.  Nine minutes later Sterling could have made it four, when he hit a Henderson cross over the bar from close range.  The game ended 3-0 to England, but that did not tell the story of the match.  England took their chances and Scotland didn't.  It was a cruel blow for Scotland and Gordon Strachan.