Preview Of Euro 2020, Croatia Vs Scotland: One Goal Mission

Scottish players (Twitter @kierantierney1)

JAKARTA - Both Croatia and Scotland, who both scored one point, will set foot on the grass at Hampden Park stadium in Glasgow, Scotland, with the goal of winning.

A draw would scupper any dream of qualifying for the last 16, a win leaving them third behind the Czechs and England if these two countries draw in another Group D match, or runners up if England or the Czechs win the match between them.

Group D's fate is certain. England and the Czechs will definitely qualify for the last 16 regardless of the outcome of their match. If one of them loses the worst possibility is the third rank.

And if they finish third, their points are still better than the two teams ranked when from the other two groups (B and C) who only had 3 points.

Final practice session in Glasgow. #EURO2020 | #Vatreni🔥 pic.twitter.com/TPnPEWlXkS

— HNS (@HNS_CFF) June 21, 2021

But before knowing the latest situation in Groups B and C, both Scotland and Croatia already knew that only a win would take them to the last 16.

If Scotland win this final Group D match, then for the first time in their history they have reached the knockout stages of a major football tournament.

Prior to this, Scotland had participated in the finals of the Euros twice, in 1992 and 1996, and eight times the World Cup finals. But they always stumble at the group stage.

Now they are in high spirits, not only because they have quenched their thirst for 23 years of playing in a major tournament, but also with a mighty match against one of the favorites to win Euro 2020, England, with a score of 0-0, even though their opponent has a prolific lineup of players in the opposing goal.

Unfortunately, coach Steve Clarke was unable to play Chelsea midfielder Billy Gilmour who tested positive for the corona virus, even though this player became the star of the field against the Three Lions. Gilmour is also Scotland's dream playmaker.

Of course Scotland isn't just Gilmour, there are other great players out there, there's still a lot of confidence to get the best out of it.

"We are really looking forward to this moment and we have to be ready physically and mentally if we are to qualify from this group," said centre-back Grant Hanley.

Like Scotland, Croatia realizes its only mission is to win at Hampden Park.

"We know that at the end of the day we can only be judged by the result and the match against Scotland is the perfect opportunity to show we still have things at stake," said striker Bruno Petkovic.

Petkovic's statement illustrates the determination to rise and show the class of Croatia, which three years ago was runner-up at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

But without Ivan Rakitic's energy in midfield and Mario Mandzukic's sharpness at the end of the attack, both players have retired from the national team, "we are no longer the Croatia we want," said midfielder Luka Modric.

"Therefore we all have to improve, from the first player to the last player," said Modric.

Important statistics for both teams

Scotland were beaten 0-2 by the Czechs and drew 0-0 against England in their first two Group D matches, while Croatia lost 0-1 to England and drew 1-1 against the Czechs. Thus, both teams have collected one point and are required to win this match. The series won't save them.

This is Croatia's sixth European Cup final, and only one absence since independence from the former Yugoslavia, at Euro 2000. They have reached the last eight twice.

Croatia's adventure in Euro 2016 ended in the last 16 after losing 0-1 against Portugal who finally won this edition.

Croatia entered the Euro 2020 finals after winning the qualifying Group E of this tournament by collecting 17 points from eight matches or three points above second-placed Wales.

Scotland had previously entered the Euro finals twice in 1992 and 1996. In both editions Scotland failed to advance to the knockout phase.

It is the first major football tournament Scotland has entered after the 1998 World Cup finals in France. Scotland always stops at the group stage.

We know what we need to do.Fully focused, ready to go.#EURO2020 | #SCO pic.twitter.com/rSZ4U5MZwC

— Scotland National Team (@ScotlandNT) June 21, 2021

Scotland entered the Euro 2020 finals from the playoffs after topping the 2018-19 Nations League group with nine points from four matches against Israel and Albania.