Euro 2020: Luka Modric leads Croatia into last 16 at Scotland's expense
Updated On: 23 June, 2021 12:00 AM IST | Glasgow | AFP
Ivan Perisic`s header rubbed salt into Scottish wounds 13 minutes from time as Croatia pipped the Czech Republic to second place in Group D behind England.
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Luka Modric celebrates with the fans after their win in the UEFA EURO 2020 Group D football match between Croatia and Scotland at Hampden Park in Glasgow. Pic/AFP
Scotland`s hopes of reaching the knockout stage of a major tournament for the first time were ended in a 3-1 defeat to a Luka Modric-inspired Croatia at Hampden Park on Tuesday that took the World Cup runners-up into the last 16 of Euro 2020. After ending a 23-year wait just to qualify for a major tournament, another historic feat was beyond Steve Clarke`s Scotland side who were undone by a moment of magic from Modric. Callum McGregor cancelled out Nikola Vlasic`s early opener to give the hosts hope heading into half-time. But Modric showed the class that made him the man to break Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo`s grip on the Ballon d`Or in 2018, a stunning strike with the outside of his foot just after the hour mark restoring Croatia`s lead. "No one is sure how Luka manages that," Croatia boss Zlatko Dalic said of the 35-year-old. "We expect that Luka will go down, lose his strength, but he is the force that pulls the whole team. "Anything I would say about Luka would not be sufficient. I`m very proud to have such a player as part of our team."
Ivan Perisic`s header rubbed salt into Scottish wounds 13 minutes from time as Croatia pipped the Czech Republic to second place in Group D behind England. Dalic`s side will face the runners-up from Group E, featuring Spain, Sweden, Slovakia and Poland, in Copenhagen next Monday. Scotland`s preparation had been blighted by the loss of Billy Gilmour to a positive test for coronavirus after the 20-year-old had shone on his first international start in the 0-0 draw against England on Friday. Without the Chelsea midfielder, Scotland lacked anyone close to the class of Croatia`s midfield maestros who eventually ran the hosts into the ground with nearly two-thirds of possession. "Overall Croatia were the better team on the night and sometimes you just have to accept that," said Clarke. "We`re disappointed we haven`t managed to get out the group stage. We`ll all sit down, take stock, look and see what we can do better in the future and make sure it is not 23 years before we are at the next tournament." Just as against the Czechs and England in their opening two games, Scotland were made to pay for not taking their chances. Roared on by 12,000 fans inside Hampden, Che Adams was inches away from connecting with John McGinn`s dangerous cross early on.
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