@Olasquare 15 June 2021 more from that month

Unlucky Scotland.

Image Source. https://images.app.goo.gl/avNrEdv5d9NjujrCA When you speak about a team with a lot of chances but failed to take them, you can boil it down to bad luck sometimes or lack of experience and that was the fate of Scotland on the day. In a match that they dominated with a lot of chances to their credit but they were denied by the brilliance of **Czech Republic**'s goalkeeper; **Vaclik**. He was phenomenal on the day and nothing was able to get past him, much to the frustration of the Scottish. **McGuinn** got the first real chance for **Scotland** in the 5th minute when a bad clearance sets him up at the edge of the box. He tried to get the shot off but he was blocked. This is the start of much more frustration to come for the Scottish. Schick on the other end had his real chance when **McGuinn** was robbed off the ball and he was set up. His snapshot was saved by the goalkeeper to keep both sides level. **Dykes** also fluffed his lines after being set up with an inviting cross by **Robertson** in the 17th minute. Speaking of **Robertson**, he got another chance for Scotland after being perfectly set up but his effort was brilliantly saved by the impressive **Vaclik** for a corner kick. **Robertson** had all the time to do better with the ball but he struck it one time. Taking the effort like a freekick wasn't the best in that situation but still, he had a split second to decide and he was unlucky. In the 41st minute, **Czech Republic** got their goal when **Schick** got on the end of a lovely cross into the box. He headed home beyond the reach of the **Marshall**, 1-0. This makes it harder for **Scotland** who has never scored in European competition after going behind. **Marshall** had to produce two important saves to keep his side in the game just before halftime. One brilliant stop from the goalscorer; **Schick** and another low drive stop from the brilliant shot from **Darida**. **Scotland** went so close again at the start of the second half when **Hendry**'s effort struck the crossbar after beating the goalkeeper for pace but not accuracy. Just a minute after, **Scotland** should have been celebrating after a long ball in from **Robertson** created confusion in the box for **Kalas**. In his attempt to block the ball, he diverted the ball goalward. The goalkeeper was quick enough to stop the ball from going into the back of the net. There was no getting any ball past **Vaclik** on this day. He was up for it. The best goal of the day and the best goal of the tournament so far came in the 51st minute when **Hendry**'s shot was blocked and the ball went straight to **Schick** who spotted **Marshall** off his line and hit his shot from the halfway line. It was a beautiful technique that beat the goalkeeper for pace and accuracy. What a goal that was. He got his second goal of the day emphatically. 3 points sealed already for the **Czech Republic**. **Armstrong** ran the length of the field and opted to have a go by himself. His effort was diverted onto the roof of the net to compound their frustration. Not long after, **Armstrong** won the battle of the head as he found **Dyke** very close to the goalkeeper. **Dyke**'s toe-poke was saved again by the goalkeeper. In the 65th minute, **Dyke** was denied yet again after he was found in the box but the feet of **Vaclik** was determined not to allow any ball to cross over the line. **Forrest** came in for **Dyke** and he produced quick feet right inside the box. He looked destined to score after leaving defenders for dead only to be denied by a vital block from **Celustka**. **Czech** should have made it 3 too when **Krmencik** drew a fine save from **Marshall** who had to keep a respectable scoreline for his side. **Scotland** lost and the **Czech Republic** got the needed goals despite the efforts from **Scotland**. Here is how their table looks like after one game: ***Czech Republic - 3 Points*** ***England - 3 Points*** ***Croatia - 0 Point*** ***Scotland - 0 Point***

Image Source 2. https://images.app.goo.gl/4v6jedxVmYRLbq4z5 In other games, we saw the first red card of the tournament with **Poland** when **Krychowiak** received the marching order after his second yellow card. He made it difficult for his side to mount a comeback after they scored through **Linetty** after an initial own goal from **Szczesny** who allowed himself to be beaten at his near post. The ball trickled off him into the back of the net. **Slovakia** took advantage of the one-man deficit and scored in the 69th minute through **Skriniar** to seal a 2-1 over **Poland**.

Image Source 3. https://images.app.goo.gl/FhA5Wsx6ncBmfAUC7 **Spain** and **Sweden** played out a bore 0-0 with **Spain** playing the entirety of the match while **Sweden** restricted them for the long haul. This is how their table is looking too: ***Slovakia - 3 Points*** ***Spain - 1 Point*** ***Sweden - 1 Point*** ***Poland - 0 Point*** The last game for the first round in the tournament would come against: ***Hungary v Portugal*** ***France v Germany.*** The pick of the game would surely be **France** v **Germany** and I look forward to the clash between these two. I hope it lives up to the hype.