What Stands Between England And An Auld Enemy Clash

Last updated : 09 December 2019 By Three Lions

With familiar foes Croatia and the Czech Republic joining England in Group D of the 2020 European Championships there could also be a Euro '96 rematch with Scotland at Wembley if Steve Clarke’s side make it through March’s play-off round.

The Tartan Army descended on London for a group stage clash 23 years ago, Gary McAllister's missed penalty and Paul Gascoigne’s superb solo goal providing memories that remain fresh to this day.

To make it to their first major tournament since France '98, Scotland must negotiate their way through two play-off matches, the first of which will be at home to Israel on 26 March.

One of the quirks of the format for Euro 2020 and the play-off path being linked to the Nations League is that even a team who were well off the pace in qualification could still end up at the tournament proper.

Having suffered a largely awful qualifying campaign, three consecutive wins, albeit against lowly opposition, have lifted spirits north of the border and Israel should hold few fears given they lost at Hampden Park in the Nations League and also performed poorly in qualification.

Awaiting the winner of that tie is an away game against either Norway or Serbia five days later for which the victors in the Scotland v Israel tie would start as underdogs.