Man of the Match: Patrik Schick – Who else? Two goals, including that amazing goal, and he showed his quality. That is very dangerous against an England side that loves to counter. That sets it up perfectly as a spectacle and although Scotland won’t go all-out from the start at Wembley, they will have to go for the win in the second half. All eyes on England for Tartan Army: Scotland would have wanted to go into the game against their old foes with at least a point on the board, but now it’s pretty much win or bust for the Scots. They didn’t take their chances and they were punished.ģ. After waiting 21 years to get back into a major tournament, this was a harsh lesson for Scotland to learn. Understandably they looked a little nervous and didn’t really seize the moment. Scotland snatch at chances: Andy Robertson had a great chance in the first half when it was 0-0 but he snatched at the effort a little, and that summed up Scotland’s day. Between the boxes there wasn’t much in this, but Schick made the difference.Ģ. The Leverkusen forward sent home a great header in the first half to set the Czech Republic on their way, then scored a goal that will be the best of this tournament, and probably most other tournaments. Schick makes the difference: This was a tight game, which Scotland played a big part in, but Schick made the difference. Scotland next face England at Wembley on Friday, while Czech Republic take on Croatia at Hampden Park earlier on the same day.Christian Eriksen visits Inter Milan training - latest recovery updateģ things we learned, Scotland – Czech Republicġ. Vaclik was then at his best to deny Scotland a route back into the game, sticking a leg out to deny Dykes’ effort inside the area, and Czech Republic negotiated the final moments to open with three important points. At a distance of 54 yards, the Leverkusen striker’s effort stunned Hampden Park and ensured a place in history as the longest-range strike at a men’s European Championship or World Cup. Running on to the ball just near the half-way line, Schick sent a stunning, looping strike goalwards and it beat a shocked Marshall to make the game safe. Vaclik then had to be alert and claw Tomas Kalas’ effort to safety when it looked certain he’d score an own goal.īut Schick’s remarkable second on 53 minutes settled the game in some style. Scotland vs Czech Republic Highlights: 2nd HalfĬlarke brought on Che Adams for Ryan Christie for the second half and Scotland started brightly, with Jack Hendry seeing his effort cannon agonisingly off the bar. But following a sustained spell of pressure, Scotland could not keep the Czechs at bay as Schick nodded in. The setback was a cruel blow to Clarke’s men just before the break but not unexpected, with Czech Republic scoring over half their goals in Euro 2020 qualifying from set plays. Scotland were the better side but they fell behind just before half time when they failed to clear a succession of corners, and Vladimir Coufal’s cross was met superbly by Schick, who nodded past Marshall to put his side in front. The attacks kept coming, with Robertson - comfortably his side’s best player in the first half - fizzing a powerful effort towards goal, but it was well tipped over by Tomas Vaclik in the Czech goal. The attempt sparked a Scotland response, with Robertson’s cross from the left diverted wide by Lyndon Dykes, who was unable to add to his two goals in 11 appearances for his country. ![]() Scotland vs Czech Republic Highlights: 1st Half And Clarke’s men began brightly, with Liverpool’s Andy Robertson looking lively down the left and John McGinn having an effort blocked inside the area, but it was Czech Republic who had the match’s first big chance as Schick brought a good save out of David Marshall down to his right. ![]() ![]() ![]() Scotland vs Czech Republic Highlights: Scotland suffered a major blow ahead of the match, with Arsenal’s Kieran Tierney missing out through injury, while Czech head coach Jaroslav Silhavy named an unchanged XI from the side that beat Albania 3-1 in their final pre-tournament friendly.Ī vociferous crowd of 12,000 urged Steve Clarke’s Scotland on as they returned to top level international football for the first time since their appearance at the 1998 World Cup - an absence of five European Championships and five World Cups. It meant a disappointing return to tournament football for Scotland, who must now regroup for their showdown with England in Group D on Friday. Bayer Leverkusen striker Schick’s header on 42 minutes put the Czechs in front at Hampden Park, before he scored an outrageous second from all of 50 yards out.
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