England defeated Scotland 3-1 at Hampden Park with Phil Foden, Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane scoring in the 150th anniversary match
So, this is what happens when Gareth Southgate plays Jude Bellingham as a pure No 10. Real Madrid have discovered that it is a pretty good idea to have him in an advanced midfield position, their new darling slicing through La Liga defences since his big-money transfer from Borussia Dortmund, scoring in every game. Here, it was Scotland’s turn to suffer.
It felt inconceivable that England would mess this up. They were superior in practically every department, Scotland’s excellent form – five wins out of five in Euro 2024 qualification – not translating to this showpiece to mark the 150th anniversary of international football’s oldest fixture. It was about playing the occasion, as well as the game. Both anthems were booed, one more lustily than the other, which was entirely in keeping with things. It also felt like a bad idea to attempt a moment of silence for the late Scotland manager, Craig Brown, and the victims of the natural disasters in Morocco and Libya. Was it respected? No.
The breakthrough goal had been advertised. England were polished in possession, some of their one-touch stuff extremely easy on the eye. They were quicker and slicker than their opponents – Scotland laboured to put pressure on the ball – and, with Steve Clarke wanting his backline to squeeze high, England could see big spaces into which to play their runners, especially Marcus Rashford.
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