England ensured they top their Euro 2020 group with a narrow victory over Czech Republic on Tuesday evening. Raheem Sterling was the matchwinner, notching in the first half after some good work from Jack Grealish. Express Sport will now take a look at five positives and two negatives from the showdown at Wembley.
Positive: Jack Grealish turns up
Before England’s match, many had been clamouring to see Grealish unleashed from the start.
And Southgate gave supporters their wish, with the Aston Villa star sparkling on the night and providing the assist for Sterling’s winner.
It was a good performance from the 25-year-old, who had previously managed six goals and 10 assists for Aston Villa in the Premier League last term.
He was taken off in the closing stages of the match, likely to ensure he’s fully fit and firing for the next round of the competition.
And he’d have certainly given Southgate much to ponder, especially after previously being benched for matches against Croatia and Scotland.
Positive: Harry Kane looked sharp
Harry Kane went into the match against Czech Republic with a point to prove.
After drab showings against Croatia and Scotland, many wanted to see the Tottenham star take the match by the scruff of the neck.
But while Kane didn’t find the net, the Tottenham star looked a potent threat throughout.
This was his most menacing display of the tournament so far and, with the knockout stages nearly upon us, that bodes well.
Kane had done pretty much all his business at this stage of the World Cup three years ago and, this time, things could be the other way round.
Negative: Still no goal though…
The one negative when it comes to Kane, however, was that he failed to score.
While that’s not necessarily a big deal, it is worth noting that many of the tournament’s best players have already announced themselves.
Cristiano Ronaldo has three goals for Portugal, Antoine Griezmann was on target for France against Hungary, Memphis Depay is looking a threat with the Netherlands while Germany recently saw Kai Havertz notch a brace.
Then there’s Romelu Lukaku and Ciro Immobile, who are sparkling for Belgium and Italy.
Kane needs to join that crowd if England are to go all the way this summer.
Positive: Another clean sheet
England haven’t always been defensively sound, despite the many quality players they’ve had at their disposal over the years.
But that looks set to be the foundations for Southgate’s side to build his empire.
England are yet to concede a goal at Euro 2020 so far, keeping a clean sheet in all three of their matches.
While their attack does need some improvement, it’s promising that Southgate’s team have been looking solid.
That makes them hard to beat and boosts their chances of claiming the prize, especially given how well a defensive style worked for Portugal at Euro 2016 five years ago.
Positive: Bukayo Saka looks electric
Jadon Sancho must have thought he was in with a chance of starting against Czech Republic, especially after Southgate confirmed he was ‘in the mix’ to feature.
But the Three Lions decided to take a risk by unleashing Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka from the very start.
It was a decision that was vindicated, too, with Saka looking devastating as he regularly used his pace to surge forward.
Given how Phil Foden has struggled to make an impact in his two matches so far, the Arsenal star looks ready to step up as an alternative.
And whether Southgate sticks, rather than twists, for the next match remains to be seen.
Negative: Gareth Southgate has Jadon Sancho doubts
While it was certainly a positive night for England, the same can’t be said for Jadon Sancho.
Closing in on a move to Manchester United, the Borussia Dortmund star was again benched from the off against their opponents.
And it wasn’t until less than 10 minutes left on the clock that Southgate finally deemed Sancho ready to be deployed, giving the 21-year-old his first taste of the tournament so far.
This doesn’t appear to be his stage given Southgate’s reluctance to start him.
And Sancho can be forgiven for already looking ahead to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar given how far down his manager’s pecking order he is at present.
9.50pm: There we have it then, England top their group and will face one of France, Germany, Portugal or Hungary at Wembley next Tuesday night.
The Three Lions are unbeaten and have yet to concede a single goal, although Sterling – with two – is their only scorer thus far.
Elsewhere in Group D, Scotland lose 3-1 to Croatia in Glasgow and they finish bottom with a single point.
Croatia go through second thanks to their victory while Czech Republic are third but make the next round after picking up four points from their three matches.
FT: ENGLAND 1-0 CZECH REPUBLIC (STERLING 12′) – England WIN Group D
90+1 mins: Kral fires a shot into the atmosphere from distance. Czech Republic will be disappointed they’ve not posed more problems in this second half.
86 mins: DISALLOWED GOAL! Gutting for Jordan Henderson. The Liverpool skipper fires in from close-range after Bellingham’s touch finds him a few yards from goal.
There’s brief celebrations as Henderson thinks he’s got his first ever England goal to make it 2-0… but he’s miles offside, as VAR rightly confirms.
83 mins: Sancho is on! This is not a drill! The Dortmund winger will get a few minutes to impress as he takes the place of Saka to huge cheers.
Matej Vydra, the Burnley striker, is on for the Czechs. That’s all five subs made by both nations.
82 mins: Pekhart turns and fires wide after being found by Soucek.
England vs Czech Republic LIVE (Image: GETTY)
81 mins: The cameras show Sancho warming up on the touchline. Surely he’s going to get a few minutes here… right?!
England fans are taking the chance to mock Scotland’s imminent Euro 2020 exit. “Cheer up Steve Clarke, oh what can it be…” You probably know the rest.
79 mins: Here comes a fourth England change – but it’s Mings coming on rather than an attacker and he replaces Stones.
More bad news for Scotland at Hampden Park meanwhile as Ivan Perisic heads in from a Modric corner. Croatia will go through as the second-placed team as it stands, because their goal difference is better than Czech Republic’s.
76 mins: Czech Republic top scorer Schick is off for Tomas Pekhart. England boss Southgate can still make another two subs, with Sancho and Calvert-Lewin among those still hoping to get on.
74 mins: Maguire drives forward and prods it to Bellingham in the box but Holes gets across to force a corner. Shaw fails to beat the first man with the set-piece.
73 mins: Not as quick a tempo now as there was in the first half and at the start of this second period but that probably suits England.
Phillips searches for Saka with a long ball but Vaclik can gather. If it stays like this, England will play their last 16 match at Wembley next Tuesday.
If they draw, they’ll be in action on Monday in Copenhagen instead against the runner-up of Group E, which currently would be Slovakia, who play Spain in their final match tomorrow.
England vs Czech Republic LIVE (Image: GETTY)
69 mins: Maguire wants a penalty after going down inside the box at a free-kick but the referee waves it away. Replays show there was a hand in the back from Boril but it’s probably not enough for a spot-kick.
66 mins: A double substitution for England – but still no Sancho. Marcus Rashford and Jude Bellingham enter the fray in place of Sterling and Grealish.
64 mins: Another pair of Czech Republic changes, as Alex Kral and Adam Hlozek – linked to Liverpool – come on.
There’s then huge cheers in Wembley. Why? Because it’s Scotland 1-2 Croatia, with Luka Modric scoring a brilliant goal. The Scots need two goals now.
61 mins: Boril picks up a yellow card for bringing down Saka from behind. He’ll miss the Czechs’ last 16 match as a result.
Stones meets Saka’s delivery from the following free-kick but there’s an offside flag raised so England won’t get their corner.
59 mins: Pickford is on alert to punch clear a threatening Coufal cross, and Henderson clears from the edge of the England box.
55 mins: Boril does well to get to Kane’s headed flick-on first before Sterling. England were almost in there and again it all came from a Pickford long ball.
England vs Czech Republic LIVE (Image: GETTY)
53 mins: Good defensive positioning by Saka to cut out a Shick cross into the back post with Jan Boril threatening to run on to it. Impressing all over the pitch.
50 mins: Kane, with space between the two centre-halves as he breaks into the box, stretches to lift a lofted Henderson ball but it just evades him and the Czechs are able to clear through Coufal.
46 mins: Jordan Henderson comes on for England. The Liverpool captain replaces West Ham’s Rice in central midfield.
The Czechs also make a half-time change as midfielder Petr Sevcik comes on in place of Jankto.
SECOND-HALF – we’re back in action at Wembley!
HT: The ITV half-time analysis…
Ian Wright: “Saka my guy! This is what he’s been doing at Arsenal all season, getting us out of holes by being positive and going forward. It’s fantastic, I’m delighted for him.
“Between Saka, Grealish and Sterling, they’ve been magnificent and ran them ragged.”
Gary Neville: “They’ve been a breath of fresh air. They look like they’ve enjoyed themselves. They’re fearless. It’s what England fans want to see, taking the ball, running with it, committing defenders, winning free-kicks.”
Roy Keane: “What they’ve brought is plenty of energy and they’ve obviously got that quality as well. They do this every week. Excellent.”
England vs Czech Republic LIVE (Image: GETTY)
HT: A solid first 45 minutes for England, there. Much, much better than served up against Scotland, with the ingenuity and dynamism of Saka and Grealish bringing plenty to the side.
Czech Republic have showcased their threat too to be fair, and cannot be counted out. England might need another goal to be sure of the three points.
HT: ENGLAND 1-0 CZECH REPUBLIC (STERLING 12′) – So far, so good for the Three Lions
44 mins: Jubilant scenes north of the border as Callum McGregor pulls Scotland level with a fine strike. If they can get another, they’ll be in the next round.
As it stands, both Croatia and Scotland are headed out of the Euros.
40 mins: A dangerous Saka cross is hoofed out of the box by Ondrej Celustka. England are looking so much more vibrant and fluid in attack tonight.
38 mins: Pickford finds Grealish in space with a lovely chipped ball forward. The playmaker plays it to Kane, who looks to pick out Sterling with a cross which is well intercepted.
37 mins: England respond with pressure of their own and they put together a well-knit move that sees Vaclik have to push Shaw’s deflected cross wide.
Yet again that came from a Saka run down the right. The Arsenal man the clear stand-out performer thus far.
35 mins: SO CLOSE! Czech Republic almost make it 1-1 as Soucek curls a shot just wide of Pickford’s goal from the edge of the area.
That chance came after Shaw excellently blocked Jakub Jankto’s volleyed effort with a stooping header.
England vs Czech Republic LIVE (Image: GETTY)
33 mins: Saka really leading the way for England as he bursts down the right after linking up with Kane and his attempted cross for Sterling wins a corner.
This time Phillips takes it but Coufal heads clear and the ball is forced back to Pickford.
29 mins: Soucek sees a shot blocked after a Czech Republic corner drops invitingly for him. A nervy moment for Southgate’s back-line but they got the bodies around the ball to thwart the danger and Maguire eventually hooks clear.
27 mins: A great diving save from Pickford as he flies across his goal to push Tomas Holes’ shot wide with two hands. That effort was headed in.
25 mins: IT SHOULD BE 2-0! A sublime through ball from Maguire sets Kane through and rather than try it on his left, he checks inside to hit a right-footed shot but Vaclik gets a big left hand to it to deny him.
Had he not been chasing a first goal he might’ve squared to Sterling. Still, first shot on target of the tournament and all that for the Tottenham frontman. Progress.
23 mins: On the pitch, a tasty Czech cross is teased into the England box but good positioning from Kyle Walker to chest it down to Jordan Pickford.
Going forward, Saka’s looking really lively for the home side.
19 mins: Cheers inside Wembley – and that’s because it’s Scotland 0-1 Croatia at Hampden Park thanks to Nikola Vlasic’s goal.
“Scotland’s going home,” chants inside Wembley too. The England fans pretty happy at their neighbours’ plight.
Scotland need to win tonight to make it into the next round. As it stands they’ll prop up Group D with a single point. Czech Republic and Croatia currently sit second and third both on four points.
England vs Czech Republic LIVE (Image: GETTY)
15 mins: Superb work from the two new boys Saka and Grealish there. A lovely goal and England are bursting with confidence as Grealish wins a free-kick high up the pitch.
Saka takes it but his delivery fails to beat the first man, Coufal. It deflects for a corner but Shaw’s ball in is uninspiring and no team-mate can get on the end of it.
Arsenal’s Saka looks as though he was fouled on the edge of the box as he tried to make something of the corner but the referee isn’t giving it. A strange one.
12 mins: GOAAALLLL!!! ENGLAND LEAD 1-0 – RAHEEM STERLING!
Great work from Saka drives England up the pitch. His cross from the right-hand side is too heavy but Grealish collects it at the back stick and chips it back across the box for Sterling to head in from close range.
That’s his second of the tournament and as it stands, England will win Group D.
10 mins: Stones rises to meet a Shaw free-kick into the box but heads well over the bar.
A minute later, a loose ball drops to Kane but he swipes a shot high into the stands. The England captain is still seeking his first shot on target of the Euros.
8 mins: “It’s coming home!” sing the England fans. The Three Lions were booed off against Scotland last time out – but those inside the national stadium are well behind the team now.
England seeing most of the ball so far but the Czechs look well set up and the hosts will need to play it around quicker to open up the spaces.
England vs Czech Republic LIVE (Image: GETTY)
2 mins: OFF THE POST! What a chance for England. Shaw picks out Sterling with a delightful curled pass that sets the Man City winger clear through on goal.
Sterling lifts the ball over Vaclik but his shot comes back off the far post. So close to an early opener.
KICK-OFF – we’re underway at Wembley!
7.58pm: Good noise as the England and Czech Republic players emerge to The White Stripes’ Seven Nation Army at Wembley. The fans and players then join in for a loud chorus of God Save The Queen.
England kneel against racial discrimination pre-match but with music playing loudly over the PA system, it’s hard to tell whether there were any boos from the home fans.
A reminder, England need to win if they want to play their last 16 match at Wembley against the runner-up of Germany, France and Portugal’s group.
7.50pm: It’s all about Aston Villa captain Grealish leading up to kick off. Keane says: “He’s got an opportunity. He’s got to take it. He’s got courage, he wants the ball in tight areas.
“Every time I watch Jack, he affects games. There’s not many players like Jack around. They’re the guys that make the difference but he’s got to prove it. He has to take it tonight.”
Neville adds: “He has the country in his hands tonight and I really hope he delivers. He could really bring this tournament alive for England.”
All eyes are on Grealish – he has to deliver if he wants more starts this tournament.
England vs Czech Republic LIVE (Image: GETTY)
7.45pm: Some more from Southgate earlier, this time on Harry Maguire, who returns to the team at centre-back tonight.
“I think he has been the outstanding English defender in the league this season,” the England boss said.
“He has been such a bedrock for us. It was a difficult call because Tyrone [Mings] has been a colossus for us but it is a good opportunity for Harry to get 90 minutes.”
That first line a bit harsh on Manchester City’s Stones alongside him, no? It was him over Maguire in the PFA Team of the Year, as voted for by the players, after all.
7.35pm: Those in the comments don’t seem overly confident about tonight’s match against the Group D leaders…
GeoffDavies says: “Got thru by luck because of other teams result. Next stage first out as usual no surprise.”
NeilM1965 writes: “Gareth Southgates naturally defensive – 10-0 formation. Big time Charlie’s in qualifying and always bottlers in tournaments.”
Bigzap posts: “If they play like they did against Scotland, then they have no chance of winning…”
7.30pm: Ian Wright chimes in on the same debate, calling it “baffling” that Scotland have no players isolating given they shared a dressing room with Covid absentee Gilmour.
He says: “To be able to take the hit of Mason Mount and Chilwell to not be able to play for baffling reasons, this squad can take that hit.
“We don’t want to, but we’re going to have to take that hit. Who’s coming in, in this game in particular, I think it’ okay. They’ll cope.
“It is baffling, but it is something that’s happened. I don’t want to wish anything on the Scotland players, don’t get me wrong, but the fact is it is absolutely crazy, I’d love to see the reasoning behind it.”
England vs Czech Republic LIVE (Image: BBC )
7.20pm: Classic hard-nosed Roy Keane on ITV’s coverage, discussing the absences of Mount and Chilwell. While many sympathise with the duo, Keane is very much pointing the finger at the Chelsea pair for chatting with Scotland’s Gilmour.
The Manchester United legend says: “I think the only thing I’d be critical of is why would you want to speak to an opposition player, I don’t care if he’s your team-mate or not, for over 20 minutes.
“I very rarely speak to anybody for over five minutes. At the game, when you’ve been at war with somebody, why would you want to speak to anybody for that long? They could have used more common sense.”
He won’t be happy if Rice, Soucek and Coufal catch up at full-time then…
7.10pm: Southgate speaks. He says to ITV…
On Mount and Chilwell: “They’re hugely disappointed to miss the games. We’ve just had to get on with it. It’s a bizarre situation really. They’ve spent 120 seconds too long in a fairly open space. It’s full of contradictions for me.
“Frankly I don’t understand it at all. There are teams travelling round by plane, by bus, by coach for hours. I really don’t get it. I said yesterday I’ve no issue for Scotland, I don’t want them to have more than we’ve had, but it seems a bizarre situation.”
On leaving out Foden: “Because he’s on a yellow card. We look like we’ll miss two for the next game. I don’t want to take a risk on a third. It’s a shame for Phil but I think it’s a sensible decision.”
Southgate also appears to rule out Chilwell and Mount from England’s last 16 match, insisting it will be very difficult for them to play due to the team’s training schedule.
England vs Czech Republic LIVE (Image: GETTY)
7.05pm: So why is Borussia Dortmund winger and Manchester United transfer target Sancho still not starting? The former England international Andros Townsend, in his Euro 2020 column for the Daily Mirror, thinks he knows why.
“Reading between the lines I don’t think Jadon Sancho has impressed Gareth Southgate in training,” Townsend said in his latest piece.
“Gareth has had the privilege of watching each player train over the past three weeks going back to the beginning of June. He is in a far better position than you or me to judge who deserves to be in the team, who should be on the bench and who should be in the stands.
“It tells me either Jadon hasn’t been training well or the other wingers have been training slightly better. A manager won’t want to throw his player under the bus so he will be discreet about the reasons why. But Gareth will want Jadon to show him more if he is to make an appearance at these Euros.”
Should the wide-man get some minutes off the bench tonight?
7pm: So then, Czech Republic are unchanged. The West Ham duo of Tomas Soucek and Vladimir Coufal both start at midfield and at right-back respectively.
Joint tournament top goalscorer Patrik Schick, who is tied with Cristiano Ronaldo, Romelu Lukaku and Gini Wijnaldum on three goals, leads the line.
That means it’s actually four changes from the Scotland draw, with Mings, James, Mount and Foden dropping out for Maguire, Walker, Grealish and Saka.
Arsenal’s versatile attacker Saka starts out wide and will hope to inject some more energy and dynamism than was on show from his team-mates last Friday night.
With Mount and Chilwell unavailable, the only player to miss out on the 23 from the 26-man squad is Foden, who is presumably just being rested.
6.20pm: Earlier ‘leaked’ team news suggested that England boss Gareth Southgate will stick with Phil Foden and Raheem Sterling either side of goalless frontman Harry Kane.
But it’s thought Jack Grealish is also primed to start while Harry Maguire could displace Tyrone Mings at centre-back.
Jadon Sancho will start on the substitutes’ bench having yet to play a single minute of the tournament until now.
Chilwell has yet to feature at the Euros and Southgate has Luke Shaw, Kieran Trippier and even Bukayo Saka as options in that position.
The full confirmed line-ups are expected shortly – and we’ll see how many changes Southgate makes from the Scotland draw.
England vs Czech Republic LIVE (Image: GETTY)
6.10pm: England will be without Mason Mount and Ben Chilwell this evening with the Chelsea pair in isolation.
The duo were in close contact with Scotland’s Billy Gilmour after Friday night’s game with the midfielder since testing positive for coronavirus.
They will isolate for 10 days, meaning they might also be unavailable for next week’s last 16 tie.
The FA confirmed on Tuesday morning: “Chilwell and Mount will isolate and train individually in private areas at England’s training base St George’s Park, with the rest of the squad returning there after tonight’s fixture against Czech Republic at Wembley.
“We will continue to follow all Covid-19 protocols and the UEFA testing regime, while remaining in close contact with PHE.
“The entire England squad and staff had lateral flow tests on Monday and all were again negative, as was the case with Sunday’s UEFA pre-match PCR tests. Further tests will be carried out as and when appropriate.”
6pm: Good evening and welcome to Express Sport’s live coverage of England’s final Euro 2020 Group D match against Czech Republic at Wembley.
Having beaten Croatia but drawn with Scotland, Gareth Southgate’s side are already into the knockout stages of the Euros.
The four best third-placed teams from the six groups make it through to the last 16 and Ukraine and Finland finished third in their groups on Monday night on three points apiece.
That means even if England finish third tonight, which they will if they lose and Scotland win, they will still progress.
Tonight’s opponents Czech Republic beat Scotland and drew with Croatia but are above England thanks to their superior goal difference.
England players think Gareth Southgate ‘has his favourites’ ahead of tonight’s clash with Czech Republic, according to reports. The Three Lions enter the contest with their qualification to the Euro 2020 knockout stages already assured. But they have a point to prove, having struggled against Scotland last time out.
England have endured a mixed start to their Euro 2020 campaign.
They were good against Croatia in their opening showdown, winning 1-0 courtesy of a second half goal by Raheem Sterling.
But England were dire in their goalless draw with Scotland, with fans jeering them off the Wembley pitch in the aftermath.
Southgate’s side are already through to the next round of Euro 2020 but will be looking to top the group when they face off against Czech Republic tonight.
Yet, ahead of that game, The Athletic say England players believe the 50-year-old ‘has his favourites’.
It’s claimed members of the dressing room consider Mason Mount to be one of those, with the Chelsea star starting both matches at the tournament so far.
However, with Mount isolating after coming into close contact with Billy Gilmour, it’s now possible he’ll miss out on a starting berth this evening.
Another one of Southgate’s favourites is believed to be Jordan Henderson, with the Liverpool star fighting to get fit in time for the competition’s knockout stages.
And Sterling himself is a third member of the squad who England players think is in the 50-year-old’s good books.
It’s claimed England players have noted Southgate’s reluctance at lavishing big praise on Jack Grealish when speaking at media events, while the Aston Villa star’s camp are far from happy.
Those close to Grealish reportedly find it hard to accept players like Sterling, who struggled for Manchester City last term, are picked ahead of the playmaker.
And they also think Southgate ‘always has an excuse up his sleeve to leave him out’ – while also believing it’s a ‘blind spot on the manager’s part’.
Grealish is likely to be left on the bench again tonight, as well as Manchester United transfer target Jadon Sancho.
Yet whether England can win against their opponents with the duo left out remains to be seen, with Southgate under pressure to get it right.
Another person currently feeling the heat is Tottenham striker Harry Kane, who has failed to score at Euro 2020 so far.
He was hooked against Scotland last time out and some supporters have called on Southgate to drop the forward as a result of his flat showings at the competition.
But Southgate has given Kane a vote of confidence, saying: “I think the only thing that’s relevant is what I’ve said already this week.
“His importance to the team – he’s been our best player, our most influential player, our most important player for a long period of time.
“Of course there’s been moments where the likes of Raheem (Sterling) have probably had periods where he’s been critical for our success as well in terms the goalscoring, but Harry has consistently been our top goalscorer, his record since I’ve been in charge is phenomenal and he’s a hugely important figure for us.
“I think it’s the world of a big player. Throughout the time I’ve been England manager I must have managed these sorts of questions about Harry in three or four different periods of time, and inevitably he’s come through those periods and scored important goals for us and played exceptionally well. So it’s a bit of a repetitive cycle.”
He then added: “The big players have big focus, have a lot more attention, and their world is far more complicated than a lot of other players who can go under that radar of pressure and intensity.
“So I’ve got a huge understanding of how that is for Harry, a huge understanding of having played with big personalities, big players how their world is different and hopefully that helps me to manage him and get the best out of him, which over a long period of time I think we have done.”
England will better their Euro 2016 group stage points tally if they win tonight.
They finished second in the standings five years ago, with Wales taking top spot.
And whether England can fare better this year overall is something only time will tell.
But they’re still to start at Euro 2020 and, despite the Three Lions already being through to the next stage of the tournament, it seems like they’ll have to wait a little longer.
While Mason Mount is isolating after coming into close contact with Scotland’s Billy Gilmour, it’s Jude Bellingham who will supposedly start instead.
And that will disappoint supporters who had hoped to see Grealish start, especially given his status as one of the team’s most entertaining players.
Regarding Sancho, the forward appears to be closing in on a move to Manchester United.
But Southgate, speaking recently, insisted he would be careful about how to use the 21-year-old – citing his lack of experience at major tournaments as a factor behind his stance.
“We’ve got some explosive options and a lot of them are young players and experiencing a big tournament for the first time,” he said after the Scotland game.
Mason Mount and Ben Chilwell have been ruled out of England’s match against the Czech Republic in Euro 2020 at Wembley tonight. The duo came into contact with Billy Gilmour during Friday’s 0-0 draw and have been told to self-isolate after the Scotland midfielder tested positive for coronavirus.
A statement from the Football Association read: “We can confirm that Ben Chilwell and Mason Mount must isolate up to and including next Monday [28 June]. This decision has been taken in consultation with Public Health England.
“The pair were confirmed overnight as close contacts of Scotland’s Billy Gilmour after his positive COVID-19 test following last Friday’s match.
“Chilwell and Mount will isolate and train individually in private areas at England’s training base St. George’s Park, with the rest of the squad returning there after tonight’s fixture against Czech Republic at Wembley.
“We will continue to follow all COVID-19 protocols and the UEFA testing regime, while remaining in close contact with PHE.
Topping Group D will see England face the runner-up in Group F, meaning a tie against one of France, Germany, Portugal and Hungary at Wembley at 5pm on Tuesday, June 29.
Finishing second in Group D would book a tie against the winners of Group E, which will be one of Sweden, Slovakia, Poland or Spain.
Although unlikely, if England lose to the Czech Republic they could qualify as the third-place side in Group D, an eventuality which could see them face the winners of Group C, the Netherlands, in Budapest at 5pm on Sunday, June 27.
However, finishing third could also see them head to Seville to play Belgium, the winners of Group B, at 8pm on Sunday, June 27.
England manager Gareth Southgate conceded there is a “high possibility” the Chelsea pair will have to sit out the Wembley showdown after they were listed by the FA as possible close contacts of Scotland’s Billy Gilmour who has tested positive.
Mount, who has played every minute of England’s two games at the tournament, and Chilwell, who has yet to feature, have both tested negative but spent time with their Chelsea team-mate in the tunnel after Friday’s 0-0 draw.
They are self-isolating as a precaution while they await a final decision by Public Health England over whether their exposure was sufficient for them to be required to continue to do so.
“We’ve got to follow the guidelines and if there is any risk with these two players then we’ve got to make sure we don’t put any other players at risk. But the ins and outs of what would classify as being contact – they are the discussions that are ongoing,” said Southgate.
“In terms of the team, we’ll need to go through details with the players in the morning really, so we’ll have to know by first thing of their availability and if not we’ll just have to play on without them.
“I can’t say it isn’t disruptive. We don’t really know at this point whether they might be OK for tomorrow, or they could be out for 10 days.”
Gilmour, who has no symptoms, will miss Scotland’s game against Croatia and their last-16 tie if they progress as he self-isolates for 10 days. No other Scotland player has been required to sit out the game.
Mount and Chilwell should be able to return to training on Thursday even if they are deemed close contacts – as long as they continue to pass daily tests.
Against Czech Republic, Jack Grealish and Jude Bellingham will be among the candidates to replace Mount while either Kieran Trippier or Luke Shaw will start at left-back.
Neil Squires comment
It used to be the penalty shoot-out lottery that did for England at major tournaments, now it is the coronavirus lottery they have to contend with.
The viral finger of fate was always going to point at one team or another in a Covid era Euros and it probably should come as no surprise that one of them is England.
Gareth Southgate manages one of the few international teams to go all season without a positive test. His side’s number was bound to come up at some point. It just had to be at the Euros themselves though, didn’t it?
He will have wargamed this scenario and he took a sanguine take on the situation last night but it remains an unwanted complication.
England will definitely head into the Euro 2020 last-16 even if they lose to Czech Republic on Tuesday.
The Three Lions could suffer the ignominy of finishing third in Group D but still go through as their four points would make them one of the best third-placed teams.
UEFA’s format for the tournament means that four of the best third-placed teams go through to the knockout round.
England could face the strange prospect of a disappointing defeat against Czech Republic on Tuesday but still go through.
Gareth Southgate’s side are currently second in Group D but Russia’s 4-1 thumping of Russia in Group B has provided a safety net as England will certainly be one of the best third-placed countries.
They started their Euro 2020 campaign with a 1-0 victory over Croatia.
Raheem Sterling scored the only goal midway through the second half in a positive performance.
However, Sterling and his team-mates were far less promising during their goalless draw against Scotland on Friday.
England scarcely created a chance in the stalemate and Scotland were the far better side at Wembley Stadium.
Czech Republic are next to visit Wembley and are in good form.
They too have four points after beating Scotland 2-0, a game which included a stunning long-range goal by Patrik Schik, before drawing with Croatia.
But England’s plans for the game have been thrown into disarray with two stars forced to self-isolate.
Mason Mount and Ben Chilwell both came into close contact with Scotland’s Billy Gilmour after the sides’ draw on Friday and Gilmour has since tested positive for COVID-19.
The England pair have tested negative but will be kept away from the squad until further guidance by Public Health England, despite training with the squad on Monday.
Southgate has also faced calls to drop captain Harry Kane after two worrying performances by the Tottenham striker.
Kane is yet to have a shot on target in either of England’s opening two matches.
However, Southgate has suggested that he will persist with his star player.
“I think the only thing that’s relevant is what I’ve said already this week,” Southgate said.
“His importance to the team – he’s been our best player, our most influential player, our most important player for a long period of time.
“Of course there’s been moments where the likes of Raheem (Sterling) have probably had periods where he’s been critical for our success as well in terms the goalscoring.
“But Harry has consistently been our top goalscorer, his record since I’ve been in charge is phenomenal and he’s a hugely important figure for us.
“I think it’s the world of a big player. Throughout the time I’ve been England manager I must have managed these sorts of questions about Harry in three or four different periods of time, and inevitably he’s come through those periods and scored important goals for us and played exceptionally well.
Russia may slap economic sanctions on the Czech Republic, possibly targeting beer imports among other measures, in response to the expulsion of Russian diplomats, the daily newspaper Kommersant reported.
The sanctions would be part of Moscow’s asymmetrical response to Prague’s “unprecedentedly aggressive actions,” one of the newspaper’s sources familiar with the matter said. He was referring to the the recent decision to bar 18 Russian officials from the Czech Republic and threats to expel even more diplomatic staff.
While the restrictions may target any area, the report says that imports of Czech beer may be banned. According to Kommersant, Russia imported $ 38 million-worth of Czech beer in 2020 – 10% more than it did in the previous year.
Some ten brands that sell their product to Russia may suffer from the possible sanctions, the report indicated. However, such a move is more symbolic than economically harmful, as Russia buys abroad a tiny fraction of its overall beer and drinks turnover. According to Vadim Drobiz, the head of the Center for Research on Federal and Regional Alcohol Markets, the share of the Czech beer in total imports of the beverage is about 10% in physical terms, or 40 million liters per year. That’s 0.5% of the annual turnover of eight billion liters.
Trade turnover between Russia and the Czech Republic fell over 40% to $ 5.2 billion as a result of the pandemic last year, according to customs data cited in the report. As of 2018, Russia was the 13th biggest importer from the republic and its seventh largest exporter.
Tensions between the two countries escalated last week when Prague claimed that Russian intelligence officers were involved in a local munitions depot blast in 2014 and ordered 18 Russian diplomats out of the country. Russia denied the allegations, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs accusing Prague of following Washington’s bidding. In response, Moscow decided to expel 20 staff members of the Czech embassy in Moscow. Now the Czech authorities even want to send home staff working at the Russian embassy in Prague.
Russia’s nuclear energy corporation Rosatom won’t be invited for a security assessment as a bidder vying to renovate the Dukovany nuclear power plant, the Czech industry minister said, amid the diplomatic spat initiated by Prague.
The Czech government has approved a resolution effectively excluding the Russian company from the $ 7-billion project, the nation’s industry and trade minister Karel Havlicek confirmed on Monday.
The construction project’s investor, the majority state-controlled Czech utility company CEZ, will now only send a security assessment questionnaire to the remaining three contenders by April 30. The companies vetted by Prague include France’s EDF, South Korean Hydro & Nuclear Power as well as the American-Canadian firm Westinghouse. Also on rt.comRussia’s Rosatom likely to get barred from $ 7-bn Dukovany nuclear plant tender, Czech minister says, amid ammo depot blast scandal “We make it clear that this is an assessment of three eligible suppliers of nuclear technology,” Havlicek told the Czech media, adding that suppliers of critical technologies and materials can only be “an entity from a European Union or a NATO country,” meaning that Rosatom could not enter the project in collaboration with another company or as a subcontractor.
The decision was taken amid an ongoing diplomatic row between Prague and Moscow that followed the Czech government’s decision to expel 18 Russian diplomats on Saturday. Prague claims Russian intelligence officers were involved in an incident at a munitions depot in the village of Vrbetice, some 330 kilometers southeast of Prague, back in 2014.
The depot was rocked by a series of explosions that killed two employees of a private company renting the facility from the military. The Czech authorities said that the embassy staff might also have had a role in the incident, while Moscow denounced all the accusations as absurd. Russia also expelled 20 Czech diplomats in a reciprocal measure. Also on rt.comCzech PM says Russia did NOT attack country, alleged blowing up of munition depot was ‘not act of state terrorism’ “I can’t imagine being contacted by Rosatom as part of a security assessment after the last incidents,” Havlicek said earlier on Monday. He added that “none of… the candidates” would pass the assessment with “a supplier from Rosatom.”
Previously, Prague already barred China’s General Nuclear from participating in pre-tender activities. Russia, however, was called a “key energy partner” by Havlicek only in March. Some media reports suggested that NATO and EU security services, as well as Washington, repeatedly called on the Czech government to drop Russia’s bid, citing security issues.
Launched in 1985, the Dukovany nuclear power plant covers around a fifth of the electricity consumption in the Czech Republic. Under the refurbishment project, estimated to cost more than seven billion dollars, the plant will receive a new 1,200 megawatt-strong power unit.
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