SCOTLAND’S return to tournament football has not gone to plan as Patrik Schick has delivered a one-man masterclass.
The Czech forward headed home to put his side in front in the first half at Hampden.
And then after the break he netted the goal of the tournament so far, lobbing David Marshall from the halfway line.
Follow ALL of the latest updates below..
THAT’S ALL FOR NOW
Scotland’s Euro 2020 campaign begins in a loss but there are still reasons to be cheerful with a Friday fixture against England to come.
It may be a defeat in the opening game but it’s certainly not Czech mate yet.
.Credit: Reuters ONE DOWN, TWO TO GO
Scotland still have two games left to play in Group D and have every chance of qualifying for the round of 16.
In the current tournament format, four of the best third-placed teams will also qualify for the knock-out round, so it’s all still to play for…
CLARKE REACTION
Scotland boss Steve Clarke felt his side were unlucky not to take something from the match.
He told the BBC: “It was quite an even game. I don’t think there was much in it. They were a bit more clinical with their chances.
“Moments went against us and when chances came our way, we didn’t quite take them. It’s a good learning experience.
“I thought we played decent, we could have been a bit braver on the ball first half.
“We didn’t work enough to get behind them, that’s why I brought Che [Adams] on for the second half.
“I’m hopeful [Kieran Tierney will be fit for Friday] but I wouldn’t be getting over excited about it. He’s been an integral part of how we’ve played recently.
“By and large we played well, take away the set-play and the wonder strike from their striker.
It was a big effort today. We’ll lick our wounds for 24 hours and then we’ll prepare for Friday.”
.Credit: The Sun
SCHICK’S SWAGGER
The Czech Republic’s two-goal hero Patrik Schick’s was unsurprisingly delighted after his brilliant brace defeated Scotland.
He told the BBC: “The first game is really important. We’re so happy we won this game.
“It’s always hard to play against us as we have a lot of hard-working players.
“Scotland was a tough opponent, and we were ready for their tactics.
“[For the second goal] I checked in the first half when the situation might come. I knew he stayed high. When the ball came, I saw where he was standing.
“Croatia are a strong opponent, and we expect a game that will be a little bit different.”
.Credit: pixel8000 ROBBO: THEY WERE CLINICAL
Andy Robertson gave an honest assessment of Scotland’s display in the defeat to the Czech Republic.
The Scotland skipper told the BBC: “The whole country wanted to get off to a good start. We were confident.
“At the highest level, you have to take your chances. The Czech Republic did that, we didn’t, and that’s why we’re on the wrong end of a result.
“For the first one, we shouldn’t concede. It’s a good header but we’ve got to be a wee bit stronger and braver.
“We started the second half well, we hit the bar. The boy’s in his own half and it’s a one in a million shot. It knocked the stuffing out of us.
“Going forward, we need to be more clinical.”
.Credit: The Sun REALITY CZECH?
Despite the defeat, Scotland’s Stuart Armstrong believed there were plenty of positives for his side to take from the game.
He told the BBC: “It was a difficult one. The game was very compact, there wasn’t much space. We played too many long balls for our liking in the first half and it was hard to break them down.
“We were disappointed with the first goal as it came from a set-piece, but they showed real quality for the second.
“We had chances, we tried to push, but we were missing a bit of luck and they were clinical.
“Jack Hendry’s hit the bar, the keeper’s made some good saves, these little things just didn’t go our way. At this level you have to be clinical.
“We need to learn from what happened, make a few little tweaks. There were some positives moments and we need to take that through to Friday.
“We won’t dwell on this, we’ll move forward quickly.
“We look forward to what is a very big occasion [against England]. The whole country will be behind us and we need to produce a performance to match.”
.Credit: SNS IT’S NOT OVER YET
A disappointing start to Scotland’s Euro 2020 campaign, but there’s a long way to go. Stay tuned for post-match reaction.
ALL EYES ON WEMBLEY
A disappointing result for Scotland against Czech Republic has raised the stakes even higher for Friday’s clash against England, which is now a must-win game for Steve Clarke’s men.
Think you can predict the result? You could win our £500 cash prize!
FT: SCOTLAND 0-2 CZECH REPUBLIC
Not the result Scotland wanted to start their first tournament in 23 years. There won’t be too much boogying tonight.
After Andrew Robertson had drawn a great stop from Tomas Vaclik, Patrik Schick put the Czechs in front with a firm header just before the break.
Jack Hendry hit the bar in the opening stages of the second half before one of the all-time great European Championship goals by Schick doubled his side’s advantage in the 52nd minute.
Picking the ball up on the halfway line, the striker let fly from fully 40 yards and saw his effort soar over the head of David Marshall and into the net.
Scotland knocked repeatedly on the door after that but couldn’t find a way past an inspired Vaclik.
But if Steve Clarke’s men play like that on Friday, England will be in for a real game.
PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP
THE FINAL WHISTLE GOESSCOTLAND 0-2 CZECH REPUBLIC
Some snaps from today’s action…
.Credit: AFP .Credit: AP .Credit: Alamy .Credit: AFP SCOTLAND 0-2 CZECH REPUBLIC
84. Wonderful run by Forrest but his shot is eventually blocked and goes behind. Robertson’s corner sails straight into the arms of Vaclik.
.Credit: SNS SCOTLAND 0-2 CZECH REPUBLIC
81. Chance for Schick to claim his hat-trick and put the game beyond doubt but Marshall stands tall to make the save.
SCOTLAND 0-2 CZECH REPUBLIC
79. Another double switch for Scotland as James Forrest and Kevin Nisbet come on for Stephen O’Donnell and Lyndon Dykes.
SCOTLAND 0-2 CZECH REPUBLIC
77. Another opportunity for Scotland. Cooper flicks on a cross and it drops to McTominay but he fires over on the half-volley.
SCOTLAND 0-2 CZECH REPUBLIC
73. Kalas takes a whack to the face from a stray arm of Dykes as the pair contest a header. There’s a bit of blood and he’ll need treatment.
SCOTLAND 0-2 CZECH REPUBLIC
67. Steve Clarke changes things up as Callum McGregor and Ryan Fraser replace Jack Hendry and Stuart Armstrong. Scott McTominay slots into the back three.
SCOTLAND 0-2 CZECH REPUBLIC
66. Vaclik saves again, sticking out a foot to keep Dykes left-footed effort out.
SCOTLAND 0-2 CZECH REPUBLIC
62. Another good save from Vaclik as he denies Dykes from close range. A goal for Scotland would change everything.
SCOTLAND 0-2 CZECH REPUBLIC
61. Maybe it’s not going to be Scotland’s day. Armstrong makes a brilliant run and lets fly from the edge of the area. The shot takes a deflection but lands on the roof of the net. Some fans thought it was in.
SCOTLAND 0-2 CZECH REPUBLIC
58. Here’s that goal in all its glory and you have to say it’s magnificent. Unbelievable vision.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Scotland are up against it now, but there’s still a while to go…
SCOTLAND 0-2 CZECH REPUBLIC
52. You have to give credit to Schick. That’s outrageous. He picks up the ball on the halfway line, goes for goal and sees it loop over Marshall and into the net. Now Scotland have a mountain to climb.
GOAL FOR CZECH REPUBLIC
SCOTLAND 0-1 CZECH REPUBLIC
49. Close again! Robertson’s ball over the top is turned towards his own net by Kalas but Vaclik claws it away.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
