Czech Rep vs England
European Qualifiers Group A
7:45pm Friday October
Eden Arena
Since Czech Republic came from behind to win 2-1 at Prague at European Qualifying Group 28, A limp England suffered their first defeat in over 10 years
Amount at 1-1 following a sloppy performance, England were penalized by 30-year-old Czech debutant and substitute Zdenek Ondrasek, who converted low and unmarked from 10 yards to stun Gareth Southgates side (85).
England had taken an early lead through Harry Kanes penalty after Raheem Sterling was tripped (5), but the Czechs reacted immediately through Jakub Brabec, turning up at the back post following guess England defending in a corner (9).
The visitors had been failing to create some opportunities and allowing many half-chances from set-pieces to the Czechs, and England left to the winner of Ondrasek, though they increased after the break.
Defeat means England and Czech Republic are level on points at the top of Group A, with Kosovo four points behind, although A win would have sent England into Euro 2020.
Having been faultless before the triumph over Kosovo last month, the turmoil at Englands defence continued in Prague.
However, it started perfectly. Checking back at lightning speed in the box, Lukas Masopust triped Sterling, allowing Kane to slot from the playground area.
The England fans were in good voice, but there have been murmurs of discontent from then on. 38 percent of goals declared by England under Southgate are from set-pieces (12/32), the most recent coming from a corner since Ondrej Celustkas capitalised on Michael Keanes slide to find Brabec to package home from close range.
England didnt respond, and did they hear from their mistakes. Soucek climbed above Declan Rice within precisely the same movement but Schick this time turned out by a tight angle, even as England conceded for the second time at 78 matches.
England did not look like the side 40 regions above their opponents in the FIFA world rankings. The majority of the first half was played in front of the Czech defence, Sterling was forced wide and deep, while the two Jordan Henderson and Rice routinely misplaced their pass.
After the break, the passing of England emulated the first half, before Kanes fine through ball found Sterling one-on-one to be blocked by goalkeeper Tomas Vaclik as he seemed to around him.
Jordan Pickford was then forced by masopust into a fingertip save from variety, and Southgate started altering things up with 18 minutes remaining as Marcus Rashford and Ross Barkley replaced Jadon Sancho and Mason Mount.
On his first beginning, the 72 minutes of Mount were ok. At the time of his departurehe had the maximum pass precision in the opposition half (87.5), the most key passes (two ), but gained just over a third of his duels andd only 27 touches.
The winner came defending as Masopusts cut back found Ondrasek unmarked, letting him push reduced to Pickfords left having a effort. Tammy Abraham has been introduced to rescue the day, however the afternoon was one.
Defeat seemed unthinkable given the superb record in qualifying before the game of England, but their absence of class ends nothing. They will now be forced to sweat to produce next summers championship in a group that could become cluttered.
England now go to Bulgaria in Sofia on Monday night at 7.45pm, which you can follow on SkySports.com along with the Sky Sports app, while Czech Republic host Northern Ireland in a friendly on Monday at 6pm, live on Sky Sports Football and Main Event.
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