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Scotland’s first appearance at a major finals since the 1998 World Cup ended in disappointment as Patrik Schick scored a brace – one an incredible long range effort – to put the Czech Republic top of Group D, ahead of England on goal difference.
The Scots, without Arsenal’s Kieran Tierney, made a bright start but struggled as the Czechs grew into the game before Schick opened the scoring, heading in Vladimir Coufal’s cross.
Tomas Kalas nearly scored an own goal as Steve Clarke’s side pushed for a route back into the game, but Bayer Leverkusen striker Schick put the match to bed soon after.
From just inside the Scotland half, the 25-year-old curled a shot over the scrambling David Marshall to put the Czech Republic 2-0 up and seal all three points.
Scotland will look to pick up their first points of Euro 2020 when they face England at Wembley on Friday night, with the Czech Republic facing Croatia earlier that day.
David Marshall (GK) – 6/10 – Smart stop from Schick’s early tester. Had done really well to keep the Czech Republic’s lead down to just one goal but got a bit mugged off by Schick for the second goal.
Stephen O’Donnell (RWB) – 5/10 – The Motherwell defender couldn’t match Robertson’s output on the right.
Jack Hendry (CB) – 5/10 – Struck the crossbar with a curling effort at the start of the second half.
Grant Hanley (CB) – 6/10 – Caught out alongside defensive partner Cooper for the first goal. Marginally the best of Scotland’s central defenders.
Liam Cooper (CB) – 5/10 – Didn’t offer the same assurance or thrust from defence that Tierney does. Caught napping for the first goal.
Andy Robertson (LB) – 7/10 – Set up Dykes with a nice cross out wide. Shot straight at Vaclik when well placed in the box. Really influential as Scotland enjoyed a bright opening but ended up doing more defensive work afterwards.
Scott McTominay (CM) – 6/10 – Decent in the air and made a few tackles but wasn’t particularly eye-catching. Moved into the back three as Scotland searched for a way back into the game
John McGinn (CM) – 6/10 – Had a number of opportunities to shoot but most ended up being blocked. Often looked to drive forward from central areas.
Stuart Armstrong (CM) – 6/10 – Drifted out wide to link up with Robertson to good effect when Scotland were in the ascendency early on. Influence waned as the game wore on and was later replaced by Fraser.
Lyndon Dykes (ST) – 5/10 – Got on the end of Robertson’s cross but could only steer it wide of the post. Should have scored in the second half but instead shot straight at Vaclik – might have been disallowed for a handball in the buildup regardless.
Ryan Christie (ST) – 5/10 – Nice pass put Robertson into space for a decent chance. Replaced by Che Adams at half time.
Che Adams (ST) – 6/10 – Looked bright after coming on at the break, looking to stretch Czech Republic’s backline whenever he could.
Callum McGregor (CM) – 5/10
Ryan Fraser (CM) – 5/10
James Forrest (RWB) – 5/10
Kevin Nisbet (ST) – 5/10
Tomas Vaclik (GK) – 7/10 – Had to be alert to backtrack and claw away Kalas’ inadvertent lob towards his own goal. Commanded his area pretty well.
Vladimir Coufal (RB) – 7/10 – Given the tough task of keeping Robertson quiet, which he struggled with early on before growing into the game. His corner led to Schick’s header.
Ondrej Celustka (CB) – 8/10 – Dominant in the air, winning eight balls in the air. Solid without being overly troubled.
Tomas Kalas (CB) – 6/10 – Nearly scooped one into his own net but for Vaclik’s diving stop.
Jan Noril (LB) – 6/10 – Wasn’t given a particularly stern examination by opposite man O’Donnell. The Slavia Prague defender was steady and efficient.
Alex Kral (CM) – 7/10 – Hardworking and efficient in the middle of the park. Helped the Czechs regain some control after Scotland’s fast start.
Tomas Soucek (CM) – 7/10 – Technically got himself an assist for Schick’s second, though it was less about the artistic vision of his instinctive block and more about the massive lob.
Vladimir Darida (AM) – 6/10 – The captain was kept relatively quiet throughout. A few nice contributions in attacking phases but little more than that.
WHAT. A. GOAL.
Patrik Schick scores for the Czech Republic from the halfway line.#SCO 0-2 #CZE
??? Watch live: https://t.co/XJ464KbERY#bbceuros #euro2020 pic.twitter.com/p8DjWwZeVQ
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) June 14, 2021
Lukas Masopust (RW) – 6/10 – Tracked back well to help on the defensive side.
Patrik Schick (ST) – 9/10 – Tested Marshall with an early shot. Nipped in between Cooper and Hanley to nicely head in the opener. Helped himself to a second with an extraordinary second, lobbing Marshall from just inside the Scotland half. There won’t be a better goal all tournament.
Jakub Jankto (LW) – 7/10 – Buzzed around on the Czech left and made a number of chances for his teammates. Made three key passes throughout.
Tomas Holes (CM) – 5/10
Adam Hlozek (LW) – 6/10
Matej Vydra (RW) – 5/10
Michael Krmencik (ST) – 5/10
Petr Sevcik (CM) – 5/10
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