Scotland’s first match at a men’s major finals in 23 years ended in anguish after Patrik Schick’s incredible halfway-line goal helped the Czech Republic inflict a deflating opening Euro 2020 defeat at Hampden.
Schick’s goal, which added to his headed first-half opener, punctured a carnival atmosphere with a sharp dose of reality for Steve Clarke’s side.
Around 9,000 fans witnessed the Scots strike the bar amid a glut of chances, but a first foray beyond the group stage already looks a tough ask.
Scotland now go to Wembley on Friday with a heightened need for a positive result against a buoyant England, before their group campaign comes to a close against Croatia in Glasgow four days later.
Missed chances cost Scots – Robertson’Painfully familiar, as Scots suffer again”Questions for Clarke as bitter reality hits’Reaction & as it happenedIt was a day a generation of fans thought they would never see again. For those in their early 20s and younger, the sight of Scotland on a stage such as this was embraced for the first time.
While the revelry in the build-up lasted for hours as supporters trickled into Hampden, a nervous tension was palpable throughout the place. There are some things some Euro 2020 branding just cannot hide.
From videos of the team bus arriving, to the news that Kieran Tierney was out injured, nerves were jangling everywhere.
A blistering start from the Scots served to steady the ship amid a cacophony that defied the quarter-full national stadium.
Scotland rampaged out the blocks. John McGinn’s early snapshot triggered a roar from the crowd, every booming run and cross from Andy Robertson had the crowd on their feet.
But, slowly, as the Scots were forced back, the nervousness and Czech confidence grew. David Marshall was forced into an early save. A warning shot of what was to come.
Clarke’s side roared back with courage and belief befitting a team who had held their nerve in two shootouts to get here.
Robertson again owned the left with a run and cross; Dykes should have done better with a first-time effort; and Robertson was denied by the fingertips of Tomas Vaclik, triggering thunder in the stands.
But as the game looked destined for a stalemate at half-time, the hammer blow arrived. A corner was just about cleared, only for the Scots to switch off.
Vladimir Coufal overlapped with space and time on his side, his delivery being met by Schick, who steered his header home while sandwiched between Liam Cooper and Grant Hanley.
Che Adams was introduced at half-time and he made a difference, but not before Marshall twice saved Scotland just seconds after the restart.
Scotland rallied again. A floated effort from Jack Hendry hit the top of the bar as Hampden gasped. They did so again as a misplaced Tomas Kalas clearance looped over Vaclik, who just recovered to clear.
If only Marshall could have done likewise three minutes later. Hendry’s attempted drive was charged down with Scotland exposed badly.
The ball broke to Schick on the halfway line, and the Bayer Leverkusen man did not even look up as his astonishing arching shot arrowed over Marshall. Hampden was so silent the noise of the ball hitting the net could be heard.
The hosts came again and again in the search of a lifeline. An Armstrong effort looped just over, while Dykes twice went close.
Twenty three years of pain are over. A new feeling of angst is just settling in.
Change in the wind for Wembley?Undoubtedly, the news of Tierney’s “niggle” and subsequent absence had a huge impact. Of all the selection conundrums, his involvement was not even considered in doubt.
Clarke was undoubtedly made to change things and for spells, the Czechs bossed the game. Scotland’s midfield was nullified, Dykes struggled to hold the ball up while, barring a small handful of forays by Robertson, there was a distinct lack of width from the Scots.
The introduction of Adams made a colossal difference, and he is surely in line to start on Friday. Will this result bring more changes both in system and personnel?
Adams, Ryan Fraser and James Forrest brought a dynamism that was missing before half-time. Clarke now has a host of decisions to make in what could be a make-or-break night in London.
Match statsThis was the Czechs first win against Scotland since October 2010, ending a run of one draw and three defeats.Scotland have lost their opening match in five of their last six appearances at a major tournament, failing to score on five occasions in that run.Scotland have failed to score in five of their seven Euros matches, with the exceptions being a 3-0 win over CIS (1992) and a 1-0 win against Switzerland (1996).There were just 12 fouls conceded in this match (six each), the lowest total on record at the Euros since 1980.Schick has been involved in 10 goals in his last nine international starts (8 goals, 2 assists).At 49.7 yards, Schick’s second was the furthest distance from which a goal has been scored at the Euros since 1980.At 36 years and 101 days, goalkeeper Marshall became the second oldest player to appear for Scotland at a major tournament, after 39-year-old Jim Leighton played in all three games at the 1998 World Cup.
Player of the match
SchickPatrik Schick
with an average of 8.66
ScotlandSquad number3Player nameRobertson
Squad number10Player nameAdams
Squad number7Player nameMcGinn
Squad number4Player nameMcTominay
Squad number16Player nameCooper
Squad number25Player nameForrest
Squad number5Player nameHanley
Squad number17Player nameArmstrong
Squad number1Player nameMarshall
Squad number19Player nameNisbet
Squad number24Player nameHendry
Squad number9Player nameDykes
Squad number20Player nameFraser
Squad number11Player nameChristie
Squad number8Player nameMcGregor
Squad number2Player nameO’Donnell
Czech RepublicSquad number10Player nameSchick
Squad number1Player nameVaclik
Squad number15Player nameSoucek
Squad number5Player nameCoufal
Squad number6Player nameKalas
Squad number8Player nameDarida
Squad number14Player nameJankto
Squad number12Player nameMasopust
Squad number21Player nameKral
Squad number3Player nameCelustka
Squad number18Player nameBoril
Squad number9Player nameHoles
Squad number19Player nameHlozek
Squad number11Player nameKrmencik
Squad number20Player nameVydra
Squad number13Player nameSevcik
Line-upsScotlandFormation 3-5-2
1Marshall
24Hendry5Hanley16Cooper
2O’Donnell7McGinn4McTominay17Armstrong3Robertson
9Dykes11Christie
1Marshall24HendrySubstituted forMcGregorat 67’minutes5Hanley16Cooper2O’DonnellSubstituted forForrestat 79’minutes7McGinn4McTominay17ArmstrongSubstituted forFraserat 67’minutes3Robertson9DykesSubstituted forNisbetat 79’minutes11ChristieSubstituted forAdamsat 45’minutesSubstitutes8McGregor10Adams12Gordon13Taylor18Turnbull19Nisbet20Fraser21McLaughlin22Patterson23Gilmour25Forrest26McKennaCzech RepFormation 4-2-3-1
1Vaclik
5Coufal3Celustka6Kalas18Boril
21Kral15Soucek
12Masopust8Darida14Jankto
10Schick
1Vaclik5Coufal3Celustka6Kalas18Boril21KralSubstituted forHolesat 67’minutes15Soucek12MasopustSubstituted forVydraat 72’minutes8DaridaSubstituted forSevcikat 87’minutes14JanktoSubstituted forHlozekat 72’minutes10SchickSubstituted forKrmencikat 87’minutesSubstitutes2Kaderábek4Brabec7Barak9Holes11Krmencik13Sevcik16Mandous17Zima19Hlozek20Vydra24PekhartReferee:Daniel Siebert
Attendance:9,847
Live TextMatch ends, Scotland 0, Czech Republic 2.
Second Half ends, Scotland 0, Czech Republic 2.
Corner, Scotland. Conceded by Jan Boril.
Attempt blocked. Kevin Nisbet (Scotland) header from the right side of the six yard box is blocked. Assisted by Andrew Robertson with a cross.
Foul by Che Adams (Scotland).
Jan Boril (Czech Republic) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Attempt saved. Michael Krmencik (Czech Republic) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Matej Vydra with a headed pass.
Substitution, Czech Republic. Petr Sevcik replaces Vladimír Darida.
Substitution, Czech Republic. Michael Krmencik replaces Patrik Schick.
Foul by Kevin Nisbet (Scotland).
Matej Vydra (Czech Republic) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Attempt blocked. Ryan Fraser (Scotland) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Callum McGregor.
Corner, Scotland. Conceded by Ondrej Celustka.
Attempt blocked. James Forrest (Scotland) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Andrew Robertson.
Attempt saved. Kevin Nisbet (Scotland) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Che Adams.
Attempt saved. Patrik Schick (Czech Republic) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Adam Hlozek.
Substitution, Scotland. Kevin Nisbet replaces Lyndon Dykes.
Substitution, Scotland. James Forrest replaces Stephen O’Donnell.
Attempt missed. Scott McTominay (Scotland) right footed shot from the right side of the six yard box is too high. Assisted by Liam Cooper with a headed pass following a set piece situation.
Stephen O’Donnell (Scotland) wins a free kick on the right wing.
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