Scotland and England played out a feisty 2-2 draw yesterday, with the Scots scoring twice late on, only to be met with a Harry Kane equaliser deep into injury time.
England were the dominant side for the majority of the game, forcing 7 saves and taking 16 shots over the course of the game, and finally got what they deserved, when Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain came off of the bench in the 65th minute, to score just five minutes later, showing excellent pace and skill to cut inside the defence and pull off a shot, which deflected straight at ‘keeper Craig Gordon, who should have caught the attempt easily, but instead just batted it into his own net.
England followed up on their goal well, forcing a few saves, and midfielder Scott Brown was lucky to stay on the field, after committing two yellow card worthy fouls, however, their lead only lasted until the 87th minute, when Leigh Griffiths curled in a fantastic free-kick to level the scores. He then repeated the feat just three minutes later, swinging one into the bottom corner from the other side of the penalty area. 
Leigh Griffiths lines up to take his free-kick in the 87 minute. Image courtesy of Sky Sports.
Scotland looked to have sealed a vital three points in world cup qualification, but after just another three minutes, England were up the other end, and Harry Kane was volleying home a looping cross to ensure a point for England.
Harry Kane volleys home to level the score. Image courtesy of the BBC.
The result means England remain top of Qualification group F, whilst Scotland remain in 4th with 4 games to play.
On a different note, the FIFA confederations cup will start on the 17th, however, none of the home nations has qualified. The Confederations Cup is an 8 team tournament held in the host of the following year’s World Cup, to make sure that all venues and organisers have properly prepared for the World Cup. This year’s eight teams are: Russia (Hosts), Portugal (Euro 2016 winners), Cameroon (2017 AFCON winners), Chile (2016 Copa America winners), New Zealand (OFC winners) Mexico (CONCACAF Cup Winners), Australia (AFC Asian Cup Winners) and Germany (World Cup Winners).
Also, this morning England won the World Cup! The U20s World Cup that is, beating Venezuela 1-0 In Suwon, South Korea. Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored in the 35th minute, turning in a rebound after the keeper saved his half-volley. Venezuela got a penalty with about 20 minutes to go when the referee blew for Jake Clarke-Salter’s dangerous challenge in the box on Venezuela’s young prodigy Adalberto Penaranda. The referee was asked to provide a video review, and when it was given it agreed with the referee’s decision. Penaranda took the penalty, driving it slightly left of centre, but a strong hand from Freddy Woodman denied Venezuela the equaliser. England managed to hold off a late onslaught to win the trophy.
Image courtesy of The Telegraph.
So what do you think England’s realistic targets should be next summer? Please leave a comment down below with your opinion.
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Billy
In the dugout 