EM 2021: Czech Republic defeated Scotland

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Patrik Schick

Photo: Andrew Milligan / dpa

The Czech Republic won their opening game at the EM 2021 2-0 (1-0) against Scotland.

Patrik Schick scored the goals (42nd and 52nd minutes).

In the first game of Group D yesterday, England celebrated a 1-0 (0-0) win against Croatia.

On June 23, 1998, the Scots said goodbye to the 1998 World Cup with a 3-0 draw against Morocco after the group stage.

It took them almost 23 years to qualify again for a World Cup or European Championship finals.

At home in Hampden Park in Glasgow, national coach Steve Clarke's team got off to a lively start.

And that without one of their best: Arsenal professional Kieran Tierney had to pass when he was injured, in attack Clarke surprisingly relied on Ryan Christie instead of the expected Premier League professional Ché Adams.

Schick fails, Schick beheads

Driven by their superstar Andrew Robertson from Liverpool FC, the hosts fought for an optical advantage in the opening minutes without creating any chances.

The first came on the other side: Patrick Schick forced goalkeeper David Marshall to make the first save with a shot towards the left corner (15th).

Then it was the Scots turn: Lyndon Dykes shot just wide (18th), Robertson's shot was directed over the crossbar by Czech goalkeeper Tomáš Vaclík (31st).

Shortly before the break, the guests took the lead: After a corner already blocked by the guests, the ball came back high into the penalty area, where Schick, who played for RB Leipzig, prevailed in the air duel and headed into the left corner (42nd).

With furious attacks, the Scots - now with Adams in the front row - came out of the cabin.

First defender Jack Hendry put the ball on the crossbar (46th), then Tomáš Kalas forced his keeper to make a brilliant save with an involuntary lob (48th).

Then came the stroke of genius by Schick: The Czech attacker saw that Marshall was standing too far in front of his goal and pulled directly from almost 50 meters.

Marshall tried desperately to reach the ball, but it hit the crossbar perfectly (52nd).

Wembley is waiting for the Scots

Even after the 2-0 draw, the Scots remained dangerous: First after an hour, a deflected shot from Duncan Armstrong fell dangerously onto the goal net of the Czechs, then Lyndon Dykes failed on Vaclík, who reacted again very strongly (66th).

Despite numerous offensive changes, the Scots failed to hit any more.

The Czechs will meet Croatia on Friday, again in Glasgow (6pm), while the Scots will have a British "brother duel" with England three hours later in Wembley.

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