Harry Maguire’s own goal briefly brought Scotland back into the contest at Hampden Park, but a winning streak that has taken Steve Clarke’s men to the brink of qualification for Euro 2024 came to an end.
England extended their 24-year unbeaten run against Scotland as Phil Foden, Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane struck in a 3-1 friendly win to mark the 150th anniversary of the first meeting between the nations.
Harry Maguire’s own goal briefly brought Scotland back into the contest at Hampden Park, but a winning streak that has taken Steve Clarke’s men to the brink of qualification for Euro 2024 came to an end.
The hosts had high hopes of a famous victory in football’s oldest international fixture after impressive wins over Spain and Erling Haaland’s Norway in recent months.
But Scotland suffered a sobering evening as even a much-changed Three Lions proved a class apart.
Gareth Southgate made six changes from the side that dropped their first points of Euro 2024 qualifying in a 1-1 draw against Ukraine on Saturday.
England’s midfielder Jude Bellingham (C) celebrates scoring the team’s second goal with teammates during the international friendly football match between Scotland and England, at Hampden Park in Glasgow, on September 12, 2023. (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP)
Andy Robertson’s loose touch inside his own box presented Bellingham with an opportunity the Real Madrid midfielder was never going to miss in his current form.
The 20-year-old has taken the Spanish capital by storm since joining from Borussia Dortmund and now has six goals in as many games for club and country this season.
Scotland upped their intensity after the break and got their reward through another moment to forget for Maguire.
Robertson made amends for his earlier error as the Scotland captain found himself in an unusual position on the right wing and his teasing cross was turned into his own net by the Manchester United centre-back.
John McGinn then headed a glorious chance over to equalise.
But England soon regained their grip on the game with Bellingham pulling the strings in midfield.
Angus Gunn produced a fine save to deny substitute Eberechi Eze his first international goal.
But the Norwich goalkeeper was powerless to stop Kane slotting home his 59th after a slaloming run from Bellingham opened up the Scotland defence.
Channels/Jamiu Ogunshe
