Czech Republic are off to a good start in the Euro as they defeated Scotland two-nil in their opening match in Glasgow, lifted by two tremendous goals by Patrik Schick. The two national teams will square off against England and Croatia in the next two matches of group D.
The former Roma striker was the deciding factor in a fast-paced bout. He broke the deadlock at the 42nd minute by soaring the air and besting his direct defender on a pinpoint cross by Vladimir Coufal, sending his header to the bottom corner. He outdid himself ten minutes later with a jaw-dropping shot from long-range. Scotland lost the ball while pushing for the equalizer, and Schick did not think twice before firing it home from midfield, lofting it over David Marshall that was in an advanced position.
Scotland had their chances, supported by the loud Hampden Park crowd, both before and after going down in the score. At the 32nd minute, Andrew Robertson was sprung loose in the box, but Tomas Vaclik deflected his attempt over the crossbar. At the 49th minute, Tomas Kalas almost put it into his own net after stripping Stuart Amstrong in the box with a last-ditch clearance. The Sevilla goalkeeper shined again in the second half, denying with his foot a point-blank effort by Lyndon Dykes.
Czech Republic managed to re-gain control of the proceedings in the later stages of the bout, coming close to a third goal again with Schick and finally with Micheal Krmencik, whom Marshal brilliantly denied in this case.