Czechs managed to beat Scotland 2-0 in the Group D preliminary match at Euro 2020 (Euro 2021) at Hampden Park Stadium, Monday (14/6).
Scotland was the team that took the initiative to attack from the start of the first half. Scotland also got the opportunity through John McGinn in the fifth minute which the Czech defense could still block.
In the 16th minute, it was Czech’s turn to get a chance to score. Patrik Schick fired a left footed shot which was still saved by David Marshall.
Scotland again got a golden opportunity in the 32nd minute. Robertson’s shot on target was saved brilliantly by Tomas Vaclik as he fell.
Czechs, who relied on counter-attacks, were finally able to take the lead in the 42nd minute. Schick’s header into the left corner of the goal managed to change the score to 1-0.
Behind 0-1, Scotland increasingly eager to launch pressure to equalize. However, the pressure exerted by Scotland was always muffled by the Czech defense, which appeared solid.
In the 52nd minute, Czechs even managed to increase the score to 2-0. Schick’s shot from the middle of the field took advantage of a Scottish player’s error that managed to break into David Marshall’s goal which was far from the goal.
Conceding two goals, Scotland had opportunities through Stuart Armstrong, Grant Harley, and Lyndon Dykes. However, not a single goal could be created because of the brilliant performance shown by Czech goalkeeper, Tomas Vaclik.
In injury time, Scotland got another chance but Kevin Nisbet’s header was blocked and failed to score. Score 2-0 for the Czech victory over Scotland did not change until the game was over.
To secure a place in the round of 16, Czechs will still face Croatia and close the group stage against England.
While England will first meet Scotland on June 18 before undergoing the final match on June 22.
Scotland need a win in the two remaining group stage matches, against England and Croatia, to keep their chances of advancing to the next round. The same is true for Croatia.
According to Opta Joe’s records, Schick’s goal was made from a distance of 49.7 yards or the equivalent of 45.44 meters. The goal was recorded as the most distant since Euro 1980.
Not only has the opportunity to be the best goal, Schick is now included in the list of top scorers for Euro 2020. The former AS Roma player is side by side with Romelu Lukaku who also scored two goals in one game.
Previously only Andriy Yarmolenko was able to score goals from outside the penalty box at Euro 2020.
Schick is also joined by legendary names, such as David Villa and Gheorge Hagi, who can score goals from distance in international tournaments. It’s just that Villa and Hagi scored long-range goals in the World Cup.
