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GLASGOW — Scotland’s hopes of reaching the knockout stage of a major tournament for the first time were ended in a 3-1 defeat to a Luka Modric-inspired Croatia at Hampden Park on Tuesday that took the World Cup runners-up into the last 16 of Euro 2020.

After ending a 23-year wait just to qualify for a major tournament, another historic feat was beyond Steve Clarke’s Scotland side which was undone by a moment of magic from Modric.

Callum McGregor cancelled out Nikola Vlasic’s early opener to give the hosts hope heading into half-time.

But Modric showed the class that made him the man to break Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo’s grip on the Ballon d’Or in 2018, a stunning strike with the outside of his foot just after the hour mark restoring Croatia’s lead.

“No one is sure how Luka manages that,” Croatia boss Zlatko Dalic said of the 35-year-old.

“We expect that Luka will go down, lose his strength, but he is the force that pulls the whole team.

“Anything I would say about Luka would not be sufficient. I’m very proud to have such a player as part of our team.”

Ivan Perisic’s header rubbed salt into Scottish wounds 13 minutes from time as Croatia pipped the Czech Republic to second place in Group D behind England.

Dalic’s side will face the runners-up from Group E, featuring Spain, Sweden, Slovakia and Poland, in Copenhagen next Monday.

Scotland’s preparation had been blighted by the loss of Billy Gilmour to a positive test for coronavirus after the 20-year-old had shone on his first international start in the 0-0 draw against England on Friday.

Without the Chelsea midfielder, Scotland lacked anyone close to the class of Croatia’s midfield maestros who eventually ran the hosts into the ground with nearly two-thirds of possession.

“Overall Croatia was the better team on the night and sometimes you just have to accept that,” said Clarke.

“We’re disappointed we haven’t managed to get out the group stage. We’ll all sit down, take stock, look and see what we can do better in the future and make sure it is not 23 years before we are at the next tournament.”

Just as against the Czechs and England in its opening two games, Scotland was made to pay for not taking chances.

Roared on by 12,000 fans inside Hampden, Che Adams was inches away from connecting with John McGinn’s dangerous cross early on.

Chasing shadows

Croatia had barely threatened before they went in front on 17 minutes.

Perisic headed down a lofted ball into the box and Vlasic found space between three Scotland defenders to fire low into the corner.

Croatia then had Scotland chasing shadows for a spell as the midfield trio of Modric, Marcelo Brozovic and Mateo Kovacic took control of the game.

“Modric was incredible,” said Arsenal defender Kieran Tierney. “I think tonight was a big learning curve for us all.

“They’ve been there before, the quality they showed it was hard for us to get going.”

Modric’s blistering drive from outside the box was brilliantly tipped over by David Marshall.

But Scotland bounced back to net their first major tournament goal since 1998.

McGregor pounced on a loose ball at the edge of the box and, on his weaker right foot, the Celtic midfielder drilled into the bottom corner to spark jubilant scenes.

Scotland went down the tunnel at half-time with a spring in its step, but the physical exertions of holding England four days earlier took toll as the energy levels of Clarke’s men dipped in the second period.

Modric’s deft touch finally broke Scottish hearts on 62 minutes.

Croatia calmly worked the opening at the edge of the box before the Real Madrid midfielder caressed the ball into the top corner with the outside of his right foot.

Along with Modric, Perisic has consistently been one of his country’s key performers at major tournaments for nearly a decade.

The Inter Milan winger’s flicked header from a Modric corner dropped in off the inside of the post for his ninth goal at a World Cup or European Championship to end any hope of a Scottish revival.

TOKYO —Five stars to watch at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, which start on July 23 after a year’s delay because of the coronavirus pandemic:

Naomi Osaka

The Japanese tennis star’s return to action is certain to draw plenty of attention after she withdrew from the French Open citing mental health concerns and also skipped Wimbledon.

Osaka, 23, prompted soul-searching in the sport and media with her French Open pull-out over her refusal to take part in press conferences, which she said were like “kicking people while they’re down”.

Osaka said she had suffered “bouts of depression” since winning the first of her four major titles at the 2018 US Open and needed to “take some time away from the court”.

However, she is currently expected to compete in Tokyo where her treatment by the press is likely to be under close scrutiny.

She had already proved her willingness to challenge the status quo at last year’s US Open, where she wore a different facemask in each round highlighting victims of racism and police brutality.

She went on to win the US Open and then this year’s Australian Open, giving her back-to-back Grand Slam titles.

Caeleb Dressel

Caeleb Dressel is poised to be one of the faces of the Tokyo Games as he targets a possible seven gold medals in the pool. 

The 24-year-old American swimming star was the stand-out performer at June’s national trials winning the 100m freestyle, 100m butterfly and 50m freestyle. 

He will arrive in Tokyo as the gold medal favourite in each of those and is also likely to feature in four US relay teams.

Dressel flew under the radar at the Rio Games, with two Olympic relay golds, but exploded into view at the 2017 world championships in Budapest with seven gold medals followed by six more at the 2019 worlds in Gwangju, where he also broke Michael Phelps’ 10-year-old world record in the 100m butterfly.

The 1.91m Floridian lives close to his strength and conditioning coach so was able to train regularly during the pandemic, although pool sessions were scaled back.

Trayvon Bromell

The American established himself as favourite to succeed Usain Bolt as Olympic 100m champion when he blasted to a gun-to-tape victory in the US trials in 9.80sec on Sunday. 

The 25-year-old from Florida has made a remarkable return to form this year after a career ravaged by injuries.

With world champion Christian Coleman banned for missing doping tests, Bromell will attempt to become the first US sprinter to win the Olympic 100m crown since Justin Gatlin took gold at the Athens Olympics in 2004.

Bromell said there was no danger he would suffer from over-confidence.

“I feel with confidence sometimes comes complacency,” he said. “I come from the hood, nothing was easy for me, and so every time I go to training I feel I have everything to lose.”

World 200m champion Noah Lyles failed in his bid to attempt an Olympic sprint double when he failed to make the team for the 100m.

Sifan Hassan

The versatile Dutch runner this month came within half a second of a stunning world record in the women’s 1500m, just five days after setting a short-lived 10,000m world record.

The Ethiopian-born Hassan already has three world records to her name, and it was briefly four before Ethiopian Letesenbet Gidey set a new world best in the 10,000m just two days after she herself had knocked off more than 10 seconds off the record.

Hassan, who moved to the Netherlands from Ethiopia at the age of 15 in 2008, said she was not surprised by Gidey’s performance, insisting she was “actually happy about it because I want to make the distance more exciting!”

The world 1500m champion will face a battle royale in Tokyo with Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon of Kenya.

Adam Peaty

Olympic champion and 100m breaststroke world record holder Adam Peaty had a training pool installed in his back garden after facilities were closed during Britain’s first coronavirus lockdown last year.

The extraordinary measure has already paid off for the 26-year-old, who won four gold medals at last month’s European Championships.

Peaty won gold in the 100m breaststroke in Rio and silver in the 4x100m medley relay. He is an eight-time world champion.

ROME — Roberto Mancini has turned the clock back for Italy, recapturing the atmosphere of the 1990 World Cup the country hosted, with a 1-0 win over Wales capping a perfect Euro 2020 group-stage run.

Three years after taking over following Italy’s failure to qualify for the World Cup for the first time in 60 years, Mancini has lead the Azzurri back to centre stage in emphatic fashion.

All Italy’s group matches have been played in Rome’s Stadio Olimpico.

And the song “Notti magiche” (Magical Nights) popularised during their home World Cup 31 years ago when Italy reached the semifinals rang out among the thousands of fans who were both delighted to rediscover their all-conquering national side and return to the stands after over a year away because of the pandemic.

After a perfect European qualifying run, Italy has continued that form in the group stage, beating Turkey and Switzerland, both with a 3-0 scoreline, before the victory over the Welsh sealed top spot in Group A. It was an 11th consecutive victory without conceding a goal.

“It was nice to hear the Stadio Olimpico singing ‘Notti magiche’ [Magical Nights],” said 56-year-old Mancini.

“It brought us back a few years when we were all younger and we felt an extraordinary love for the national team. 

“This is why I want to dedicate this victory to them.”

He added: “We say Ciao Roma and thank them for what they have done.” 

Matteo Pessina’s goal before half-time means Italy will play the runner-up from Group C, either Austria or Ukraine, at Wembley, where the semi-finals and final will also be hosted.

Italy extended its unbeaten run to 30 games — 25 wins and five draws — a feat last achieved under two-time World Cup winning coach Vittorio Pozzo between 1935 and 1939.

“I’d like to resemble one of the coaches who won the World Cup,” said Mancini, who has been in charge of four-time world champions Italy for 35 games.

“Pozzo won many other important things. We are still behind.”

Another record beckons — a 12th consecutive victory. That was achieved by Ferruccio Valcareggi, who led Italy to their only European title in 1968, and a runners-up spot in the World Cup two years later.

‘Dream big’

Mancini brought in fresh legs against the Welsh, with eight changes from the Swiss game, but the outcome was the same as a side with an average age of 27 again dominated their rivals.

Marco Verratti returned to midfield from injury and proved decisive, setting up 24-year-old Pessina for his first competitive international goal in his seventh appearance for Italy, having scored two others in friendlies.

Midfielder Federico Chiesa also got his first start in this Euro 2020 and earned the man of the match award.

“We are ready to dream big. We’ve all the options in hand,” said the 23-year-old Juventus player.

“The best is yet to come. It’s great to play at Wembley. But our goal is to return to London after the last 16.

“We’ve given the coach a lot of headaches about who to field. We have 26 players on the team who can start.”

Mancini conceded the run had been perfect as Italy matched its unbeaten group runs in three previous world and European tournaments in 2000, 1990 and 1978.

“We couldn’t have done better,” said the former Manchester City manager.

“Changing even one or two players doesn’t change anything because everyone knows what they have to do and the product does not change.”

Italy’s home advantage also helped with rivals Wales, who also reached the next round after playing their first two group games in Baku. 

The Welsh are now preparing for a last 16 game in Amsterdam on Saturday, although coach Robert Page questioned the wisdom of having venues spread across the continent.

“On paper it sounds a great idea,” Page said, “but logistically it’s a nightmare and with Covid on top of that, it just makes the job harder.”

Switzerland goalscorer Xherdan Shaqiri said he was “proud” of his side’s performance in Sunday’s 3-1 Euro 2020 win over Turkey as they finished third in Group A.

Despite the victory the Swiss will have to wait on results in other groups to see if they qualify for the next round as one of the four best third-placed teams.

AMMAN — Jordan’s national football team plays South Sudan on Monday in their preliminary round qualifier for the FIFA Arab Cup — Qatar 2021.

The national team will be led by their former coach Iraqi Adnan Hamad who was with the team 2009-2013 when they reached the World Cup qualifying round 3. Hamad took over after the Jordan Football Association removed Belgian Vital Borkelmans and his assistant following the early exit from the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, amid growing concerns over the team’s latest results, even in friendlies. 

The team arrived from Kuwait after elimination from World Cup qualifiers, and now has to go through another stage of qualifying to get to the 2023 Asian Cup.

Should Jordan beat South Sudan, it will play in Group C which includes Morocco, Saudi Arabia and the winner of the Palestine-Comoros match in the FIFA Arab Cup — Qatar 2021 from November 30 December 18.

Twenty-three Arab teams, 12 from Asia and 11 from Africa will be taking part in qualifiers for the 10th edition of the Arab Cup organised by FIFA in which 16 teams will compete at six of the stadia prepared for the 2022 World Cup. 

Jordan has taken part in past eight Arab Cups and hosted the 1988 edition. Iraq are record Arab Cup titleholders in 1964, 1966 1985 and 1988, Saudi Arabia in 1998 and 2002, Tunisia in 1963, Egypt in 1992 and Morocco in 2012.

In World Cup qualifying, Jordan lost twice with a score of 1-0 to Australia, they held Kuwait twice 0-0, beat Nepal twice 3-0 and Taiwan 5-0 and 2-1 and thus failed to qualify to the next round as one of the best second place finishers from Group B. 

In latest FIFA Rankings, Jordan stayed 95th overall and 15th in Asia lagging behind relatively uncompetitive Asian teams compared to their best ranking of 37th in August of 2004.

Looking back at the Jordan’s peak performance, the team was on the verge of qualifying to the 2014 World Cup for the first time and advanced to play then World’s 6th ranked Uruguay in an intercontinental qualifying tie. The Kingdom had never reached that far in World Cup qualifying since first taking part in qualifiers. Round 3 had been the furthest Jordan reached in the past seven times since 1986 qualifiers. 

On the regional level, Jordan reached the Round of 16 in the last edition of the Asian Cup. Since first taking part in qualifiers in 1972, Jordan played at the Asian Cup four times. The highlight was at the 13th Asian Cup in 2004, when they lost to Japan in the quarter-finals. Jordan also reached the Asian Cup in 2011, 2015 and 2019.

PARIS — Germany breathed life into its Euro 2020 campaign with a stunning 4-2 win over holders Portugal in Munich on Saturday despite Cristiano Ronaldo moving closer to the all-time international goals record, after a world champion France was forced to settle for a draw with Hungary.

Saturday also saw Spain stumble to a 1-1 draw with Poland in Seville as the second round of group games at the tournament drew to a close.

Germany knew a defeat against Portugal at the Allianz Arena would leave it on the brink of being eliminated already from Group F, following their failure to make it beyond the group phase at the 2018 World Cup.

Portugal would have been through to the last 16 with a win and Ronaldo put them in front.

It was the 36-year-old’s record-extending 12th goal at the European Championship finals, and also his 107th international goal on his 177th appearance for his country.

That leaves him just two away from the all-time international record, set by Ali Daei who scored 109 times for Iran.

However, Germany turned things around before half-time as Ruben Dias and Raphael Guerreiro both scored own goals.

Robin Gosens set up Kai Havertz to make it 3-1 just after half-time and then headed in the fourth goal himself.

Jota pulled another one back for Portugal but the defeat jeopardises their chances of making it to the last 16 just as Germany now have the knockout stage in sight.

“We are allowed to feel a little euphoria,” admitted Germany’s Thomas Mueller.

Griezmann saves France

France, the pre-tournament favourite, was thwarted by Hungary in the intense heat and before a hostile crowd of almost 56,000 in Budapest, having to come from behind to draw 1-1.

In the only Euro 2020 venue without restrictions on capacity due to COVID-19, Attila Fiola gave the hosts a shock lead in first-half stoppage time.

But Antoine Griezmann, the Golden Boot winner at Euro 2016, equalised on 66 minutes as an unconvincing France avoided a first competitive defeat since June 2019.

“A point is not what we were hoping for from this match but we will take it in the circumstances,” admitted France coach Didier Deschamps.

Les Bleus top the group with four points, one ahead of Germany and Portugal, with Hungary bottom on one point.

France therefore just needs a draw when it faces Portugal on Wednesday to go through, but the Portuguese are at real risk of being knocked out if they lose and Germany avoid defeat against Hungary.

Qualification remains a long shot for the Hungarians but their goal-scorer Fiola said it had been “one of the best days of my life, even the best”.

Penalty miss costs Spain

Spain is still looking for a first win after being held to a 1-1 draw by Robert Lewandowski’s Poland at La Cartuja.

Alvaro Morata gave the 2008 and 2012 European champions the lead in the first half, but skipper Lewandowski headed in Poland’s equaliser after the break.

Still Spain could have won, but Gerard Moreno hit the post from a penalty.

Luis Enrique’s side are third in Group E with just two points and need to beat Slovakia in their last game to be sure of going through. Poland have just one point.

“We lack a bit of luck,” said Spain captain Jordi Alba. “We’re doing things well and we are going to turn things around, I am convinced of that.”

Meanwhile England manager Gareth Southgate said he had no complaints about the furious reaction from fans who booed them after they were held to a 0-0 draw by arch rivals Scotland on Friday.

Southgate’s side were jeered at the final whistle at Wembley after managing just one shot on target, although they remain on course to qualify from Group D.

“This is a tournament and it’s critical when you can’t win not to lose,” Southgate said.

“That of course feels difficult in the last 15 minutes of a game where fans are desperate for you to go forward and abandon all shape because of course it’s Scotland, it feels like a unique occasion.”

Wales face Italy in Rome on Sunday when a draw will ensure their progress to the last 16 from Group A.

That outcome would also see Italy clinch first place.

Wales will be through even in defeat provided Switzerland fail to beat Turkey in Baku.

LONDON — Lacklustre England was denied an early ticket into the Euro 2020 last 16 on Friday as Scotland held their historic rivals to a goalless draw while World Cup finalists Croatia face an uphill task to progress.

Elsewhere, Sweden took a step towards the next round with a 1-0 win over Slovakia and Denmark midfielder Christian Eriksen was released from hospital, six days after suffering a cardiac arrest.

England took on Scotland at Wembley for the 100th time in a competitive fixture but for just the second time at a major tournament, 25 years after they met at Euro 96.

Despite having just 2,500 tickets in the crowd of 22,500 limited by coronavirus restrictions, Scottish fans made their presence felt in a sizzling atmosphere in the pouring rain.

England, which beat Croatia 1-0 in its opening match of the tournament, knew victory against their fierce the would seal the progress with a match to spare.

But Scotland dug deep and gave Gareth Southgate’s side some scares as they sealed a deserved 0-0 draw.

The home side started brightly, with John Stones hitting the post with a header, but lacked fluency and an attacking edge and captain Harry Kane was again peripheral.

Lyndon Dykes saw the visitors’ best effort of an impressive second half cleared off the line by Reece James.

“It was a frustrating night, we know we can play better,” England boss Gareth Southgate told ITV. “Got to give Scotland credit, they defended valiantly and played well. 

“We didn’t do enough to win the game but after that the thing we have to worry about in tournament football is we had to make sure we didn’t lose it.”

Scotland manager Steve Clarke said his team had been “unfairly criticised” after their 2-0 defeat against the Czech Republic on Monday.

“We had chances to win, England had moments as well,” he said. “Looking at this you wouldn’t have known which is the favourite, which is a credit to us.

“The most pleasing thing was we played when we had the ball and created a number of chances.”

Earlier, Croatia picked up its first point with a 1-1 draw against the Czech Republic in Glasgow but captain Luka Modric was disappointed with his team’s showing.

Czech striker Patrik Schick’s first-half penalty gave him the early lead in the race for the Golden Boot with his third goal of the tournament, but Ivan Perisic’s excellent 47th-minute strike earned Croatia a draw.

However, the 2018 World Cup runners-up will have to beat Scotland on Tuesday and hope other results go their way if they are to reach the knockout rounds.

“There is a bitter taste after this match, as we didn’t win, said Modric. “We entered the match really disorganised.

“We looked better in the second half. We scored that goal and we could have scored even more, but unfortunately we didn’t win. Now, we have to defeat Scotland to go through.”

The Czechs and England, who meet on Tuesday, both have four points in Group D, with Scotland and Croatia on one apiece.

Eriksen discharged

Slovakia blew their chance to qualify for the last 16 with a match to spare after losing to Sweden in Saint Petersburg and conceding top spot in Group E to their opponents.

The Swedes were heavily criticised for their ultra-defensive approach in their opening match, a goalless draw with Spain, but Janne Andersson’s team were far more forward-looking on Friday.

Emil Forsberg’s penalty 13 minutes from the end earned Sweden a win which gives them four points, one more than second-placed Slovakia.

Spain sits third in the group with a single point ahead of their game against Poland in Seville on Saturday, boosted by the return of captain Sergio Busquets to Luis Enrique’s squad after testing negative for COVID-19.

Denmark’s Eriksen was released from hospital following a “successful operation” nearly a week after suffering a cardiac arrest against Finland.

Doctors said on Thursday that Eriksen, 29, would have a heart defibrillator implanted to regulate his heart rhythm, casting doubt over whether he will be able to play again.

“The operation went well, and I am doing well under the circumstances,” Eriksen said in a statement from the Danish Football Union.

“Thank you for the massive number of greetings — it has been incredible to see and feel.”

LONDON — Gareth Southgate won over an English public who were sceptical about his ability to lead the Three Lions with a run to the World Cup semifinals three years ago and is already silencing his critics at Euro 2020.

For the first time at a European Championship, England are off to a winning start as Southgate's bold selection paid off in a 1-0 win against Croatia on Sunday.

Next up is a fixture against Scotland on Friday, with the chance to book their place in the last-16 with a game to spare.

Southgate's team selection for the opener caused a social media storm before kick-off as Raheem Sterling retained his place ahead of Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish despite a poor end to his season at Manchester City.

Kalvin Phillips's inclusion alongside Declan Rice in midfield and the decision to start Kieran Trippier at left-back also raised eyebrows.

But those calls proved inspired as Phillips set up Sterling for the only goal, while Trippier helped keep a clean sheet.

"I don't think there would be one person in the 65 million English population who would pick that team today," said former Manchester United captain Gary Neville, who played with Southgate at Euro 96.

"I thought he managed that game unbelievably today. I think Southgate is our greatest asset. 

"The clamour was to go with Grealish but he didn't even bring him off the bench. He's had seven or eight tournaments as a coach, U21s and as a player, I feel very comfortable with him as a manager."

Southgate's lack of a stellar coaching CV at club level has counted against him in the eyes of his doubters.

His three years in charge at Middlesbrough ended in relegation from the Premier League in 2009.

But he rebuilt his reputation in three years as England's under-21 manager between 2013 and 2016, fostering relationships with a number of his now-senior internationals such as Sterling, Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford, John Stones and Jordan Pickford.

Personal touch

That personal touch is a major strength of the 50-year-old as an international manager.

He has consistently spoken out on behalf of his players on issues of racism and social media abuse, most recently resolutely defending his side's decision to keep taking the knee ahead of matches at the Euro despite boos from some fans and pressure from leading politicians to abandon the gesture.

"He's great to talk to. He's always putting his arm around the players, which is important," said Phil Foden, who at 21 is playing his first major tournament.

Luke Shaw's only previous tournament experience came in a disastrous World Cup campaign under Roy Hodgson in 2014 and the Manchester United left-back was taken aback by the togetherness Southgate has fostered even between Premier League rivals.

"When I first came back into this camp, the first thing I said to my girlfriend when I got home was how close the group are," said Shaw.

"He's [Southgate] really good around the place. I think he knows exactly what people need, what players need, and I feel like he's starting to understand what's the best for England."

Southgate caught the eye with his waistcoats in Russia in 2018, sparking a fashion trend across the country.

Back on home soil, and with three extra years of experience under his belt, he is again proving there is substance as well as style.

But such is the life of an England manager that much of his good work will be forgotten should Scotland humble their neighbours at Wembley.

Southgate is off to the perfect start, but there is a long way to go if he is to end England's 55 years of hurt next month.