Czech Republic Saved by Necid
Czech Republic Saved by Necid
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SAINT EITINNE - The Czech Republic completed a stunning comeback at the Stade Geoffroy Guichard, scoring twice in the last 15 minutes to earn a 2-2 draw against Croatia.
Ante Cacic's team dominated possession during the Group D encounter, and goals from Ivan Perisic and Ivan Rakitic appeared to have the Vatreni well on their way to a second win in two matches at Euro 2016.
Instead, a late header from Jiri Skalak and a stoppage time penalty, gave Pavel Vrba's side their first point of the tournament, and kept their chances of reaching the round of 16 alive.
The match was emotional from the outset for Croatia, who paid tribute to captain Darijo Srna's father.Uzeir Srna passed away from cancer on Sunday, and the Shakhtar Donetsk full-back was in tears during the national anthem.
Croatia seemed determined to honour their captain, and were on the front foot from the opening whistle.
Perisic was one of Croatia's most dangerous outlets against Turkey on Sunday, and he came close to opening the scoring against the Czechs in the 21st minute. Mario Mandzukic played a dangerous ball across the six-yard box, but it was inches out of the 27-year-old's reach.
Petr Cech smartly saved a left-footed strike from Rakitic in the 36th, but he could do nothing with the Inter winger's strike one minute later. Milan Badelj won the ball back in midfield, and Perisic stepped over twice before firing into the bottom right corner.
Vrba's team enjoyed a brief spell of possession after the break, but Rakitic scored Croatia's second on the first real chance for either team.
In the 59th minute, Marcelo Brozovic picked off a sloppy pass out of the back and found the Barcelona midfielder in space between the Czech centre-backs. The 28-year-old calmly chipped over Cech to double the Croatian lead.
Mandzukic just blazed over the bar in the 66th minute, and he had a decent appeal for a penalty a minute later, as centre-back Roman Hubnik appeared to go through the back of the Juventus striker.
Against the run of play, the Czechs found a lifeline in the 75th minute. Captain Tomas Rosicky sent a dangerous ball in from the right side, and winger Jiri Skalak generated enough power to find the top corner.
The Czechs could have seized momentum, but Croatia still seemed more likely to find the next goal. Perisic headed across the face of the net to set off a scramble in front of Cech's goal, and Brozovic's curler was deflected wide two minutes later.
A number of flares near the Croatian supporters' section delayed proceedings in the 86th minute, before an unnecessary handball allowed the Czechs to level the score.
Domagoj Vida had his arms raised high above his head on a 93rd-minute free kick, and referee Mark Clattenburg correctly pointed to the spot.
Substitute Tomas Necid calmly blasted the resulting penalty into the roof of the net, and neither team could break the deadlock in a furious final few minutes.
Ante Cacic's team dominated possession during the Group D encounter, and goals from Ivan Perisic and Ivan Rakitic appeared to have the Vatreni well on their way to a second win in two matches at Euro 2016.
Instead, a late header from Jiri Skalak and a stoppage time penalty, gave Pavel Vrba's side their first point of the tournament, and kept their chances of reaching the round of 16 alive.
The match was emotional from the outset for Croatia, who paid tribute to captain Darijo Srna's father.Uzeir Srna passed away from cancer on Sunday, and the Shakhtar Donetsk full-back was in tears during the national anthem.
Croatia seemed determined to honour their captain, and were on the front foot from the opening whistle.
Perisic was one of Croatia's most dangerous outlets against Turkey on Sunday, and he came close to opening the scoring against the Czechs in the 21st minute. Mario Mandzukic played a dangerous ball across the six-yard box, but it was inches out of the 27-year-old's reach.
Petr Cech smartly saved a left-footed strike from Rakitic in the 36th, but he could do nothing with the Inter winger's strike one minute later. Milan Badelj won the ball back in midfield, and Perisic stepped over twice before firing into the bottom right corner.
Vrba's team enjoyed a brief spell of possession after the break, but Rakitic scored Croatia's second on the first real chance for either team.
In the 59th minute, Marcelo Brozovic picked off a sloppy pass out of the back and found the Barcelona midfielder in space between the Czech centre-backs. The 28-year-old calmly chipped over Cech to double the Croatian lead.
Mandzukic just blazed over the bar in the 66th minute, and he had a decent appeal for a penalty a minute later, as centre-back Roman Hubnik appeared to go through the back of the Juventus striker.
Against the run of play, the Czechs found a lifeline in the 75th minute. Captain Tomas Rosicky sent a dangerous ball in from the right side, and winger Jiri Skalak generated enough power to find the top corner.
The Czechs could have seized momentum, but Croatia still seemed more likely to find the next goal. Perisic headed across the face of the net to set off a scramble in front of Cech's goal, and Brozovic's curler was deflected wide two minutes later.
A number of flares near the Croatian supporters' section delayed proceedings in the 86th minute, before an unnecessary handball allowed the Czechs to level the score.
Domagoj Vida had his arms raised high above his head on a 93rd-minute free kick, and referee Mark Clattenburg correctly pointed to the spot.
Substitute Tomas Necid calmly blasted the resulting penalty into the roof of the net, and neither team could break the deadlock in a furious final few minutes.
(rnz)
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