Scotland 2-2 England
Harry Kane smashed home a late equaliser in a dramatic finale in one of the best football games Hampden Park has ever seen.
England justified their pre-match status as betting websites’ favourites for much of the game; and after Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain put them ahead they seemed to be strolling home. But two brilliant late free-kicks by Leigh Griffiths could have grabbed an amazing win for Scotland, but it wasn’t to be when King Kane broke Scots hearts.
Ever since 1872, matches between these two old enemies have always meant a lot, particularly for the Scots. And the safest football prediction of all was that there would be no quarter given.
A rousing rendition of Flower of Scotland reverberated around the stadium and the inspired Scotland players came out making their intentions clear, chasing every ball and flying in to tackles, Scott Brown picking up a yellow in the opening minutes for a bad tackle on Dele Alli.
As the first half unfolded, England took control while Scottish legs visibly tired all too early for Gordon Strachan’s liking. But the Scots held firm while England clicked through the gears, Kieran Tierney making a goal-line clearance from Kane to keep the scores level.
It was clearly a game of patience for England but for all their pressure they lacked a cutting edge. Gareth Southgate’s men almost went ahead when Jake Livermore’s deflected shot crashed the post, but then the Hampden Park fans raised the roof in an attempt to lift their team and seemed to get a response, Andy Robertson firing over after a good passage of play.
A strong header from Kane brought a great save from Craig Gordon but Alli couldn’t turn in the loose ball. But the deadlock was finally broken on 70 minutes when substitute Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain jinked into the box and drove past Gordon into the net.
Adam Lallana missed a golden chance to make it two five minutes later but the match exploded into life in the final five minutes. Joe Hart hadn’t had to make a save all game, but Griffiths beat him twice with beautiful free-kicks, one in each corner.
But a rare and historic win for the home fans was taken away when the England skipper met a deep cross with a great volley.
It’s time to catch our breath!
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