Euro 2020 Qualifiers: England's unbeaten run halted by Czech Republic

Czech Republic hosted Gareth Southgate's England at Sibo Stium in Prague in a Euro 2020 Group A Qualifier. Southgate's men were riding high on back of an unbeaten run in European Championship qualifying; a run that stretched back to 10 years. England h earlier beaten Czech Republic by a five-goal margin back at Wembley in March, but visit to Prague was likely to be less comfortable for Three Lions. England last faced a defeat in a qualifying match way back in, incidentally, October 2009, as y succumbed to a 1-0 defeat to Ukraine.

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Southgate opted for a 4-3-3 formation, with Manchester United's £80 million signing Harry Maguire starting with Michael Keane in defense. 20-year old Declan Rice started in centre of park, with Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson and Chelsea starlet Mason Mount starting alongside him. Southgate opted to field a front three of Jon Sancho, Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling. In opening minutes of game, Raheem Sterling breezed through Czech Republic defense, as he pulled back to beat Czech defenders. He, however, seemed to have been brought down in box by Lukas Masopust. Referee Damir Skomina hesitantly pointed to spot, and England were awarded a penalty in 5th minute. Harry Kane was on penalty duties for England, and Tottenham striker shot straight down middle, as Czech Republic goalkeeper Tomas Vaclik dived to his right. Harry Kane celebrated rar mutedly, with a reserved fist pump.

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Pickford to rescue

Jordan Pickford n me a diving save from Czech right-back Vlimir Coufal's effort to keep England in game. Pickford was to be beaten moments later. England failed to clear a corner, and Czech centre-back Jakub Brabec bundled in an equaliser for Czech Republic in 9th minute. Czech Republic h ar sight at goal through a corner in first half, with striker Patrik Schick managing to make contact with ball. His attempted heer, however, flew wide. 

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two sides stood level at half-time. With his attackers tiring, Gareth Southgate opted to make a change in 72nd minute; bringing in Ross Barkley and Marcus Rashford in place of Mason Mount and Jon Sancho respectively. match was turned on its he in dying sts of Qualifier. Lukas Masopust went from zero to hero, as he turned provider, sending a low cross across Pickford's box. Substitute Zdenek Ondrasek was left unmarked, and re was little Pickford could do as Ondrasek duly netted in winner in 85th minute. Time was running out for Gareth Southgate's side and he chose to bring on prolific Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham in place of Declan Rice. change, however, proved to be too little too late, as Czech Republic held on to snatch three points from under England's ses.

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