Hakan Calhanoglu and Cenk Tosun secure a spot in the last-16 as the Czech team with 10 players is eliminated.
Cenk Tosun of Turkiye sent the Turkish fans into a frenzy as he celebrated scoring his team’s second goal in their UEFA EURO 2024 group stage match against Czechia. The match took place at Volksparkstadion in Hamburg, Germany. The victory secured Turkey’s spot in the Last 16 for the first time since 2008, while the 10-man Czech Republic crashed out of the tournament.
Turkey only needed to avoid defeat to progress to the latter stages, and their chances were boosted when Antonin Barak was shown a red card for two quick yellow cards in the 20th minute. Turkey took control of the game when captain Hakan Çalhanoglu scored a superb first-time strike from the left side of the area in the 51st minute.
However, the Czech Republic fought back when Tomas Soucek capitalized on a mistake from Turkish goalkeeper Mert Gunok in the 66th minute. Despite their best efforts, the 10-man Czechs couldn’t find the late goal they needed to stay alive in the competition. Tosun sealed the victory for Turkey with a fine shot in stoppage time.
The result sees Turkey finish second in Group F, with Georgia’s surprise win over pool winners Portugal allowing them to progress as one of the best third-placed teams. The Czech Republic, who reached the quarter-finals in the previous Euros, finished at the bottom of the group and will head home early.
Turkey will now face Austria in the Last 16 next Tuesday.
Turkey has a history of defeating the Czech Republic in the last group game at the Euros, and coach Ivan Hasek may have felt that fate was against them once again. The Czechs were already without their record scorer, Patrik Schick, due to injury. Their promising start was cut short by a harsh red card, leaving them with 10 men.
Despite falling behind, the Czech Republic fought back and found hope when one of their dangerous set pieces resulted in a goal. However, Turkey dashed their hopes with a late winner on the break.
Turkey’s journey in the tournament has been anything but routine, but it has been entertaining. They remain dark horses to replicate their impressive run in 2008, especially as they are in the easier side of the draw.
Hakan Çalhanoglu was named the player of the match for his outstanding performance in midfield. The Inter midfielder kept the game flowing and scored his first-ever European Championship goal.
Here are the player ratings for both teams:
Turkey:
– Günok 5
– Muldur 7
– Demiral 7
– Akaydin 7
– Kadioglu 7
– Yuksek 7
– Calhanoglu 8*
– Ozcan 6
– Güler 7
– Yildiz 7
– Yilmaz 7
Subs:
– Ayhan 6
– Yokuslu 6
– Tosun 7
– Aktürkoglu 6
– Kokcu n/a
Czech Republic:
– Stanek 7
– Holes 7
– Hranac 7
– Krejci 7
– Coufal 7
– Soucek 8
– Provod 7
– D. Jurasek 7
– Barak 4
– Hlozek 6
– Chytil 6
Subs:
– Kuchta 6
– Kovar 6
– Chory 6
– Lingr 6
– M. Jurasek n/a
Here are the match highlights:
– 18′ – Czech Republic chance! Robin Hranác heads a free header over the bar after Soucek nodded a long throw into the mix.
– 20′ – Czech Republic red card! Antonín Barák receives a second yellow card, leaving the Czechs with 10 men.
– 45′ – Czech Republic chance! Jurásek surges down the left in support of a counter-attack but can’t find the back of the net.
– 51′ – Goal! Turkey 1-0 Czech Republic: Hakan Çalhanoglu breaks the deadlock with a powerful shot from the left side of the area.
– 66′ – Goal! Turkey 1-1 Czech Republic: Tomas Soucek equalizes for the 10-man Czechs after a mistake from the Turkish goalkeeper.
– 90+4′ – Goal! Turkey 2-1 Czech Republic: Cenk Tosun seals the victory for Turkey with a rasping shot into the far corner.
Turkey’s journey in Euro 2024 continues as they progress to the Last 16, while the Czech Republic’s tournament comes to an end.