Czech Rep vs England
European Qualifiers Group A
7:45pm Friday October
Eden Arena
A England suffered their initial qualifying defeat as Czech Republic came from behind to win
Amount at 1-1 after a sloppy operation, England were penalized by 30-year-old Czech debutant and substitute Zdenek Ondrasek, that converted low and traumatized out of 10 yards to stun Gareth Southgates side (85).
England had taken an early lead during Harry Kanes punishment after Raheem Sterling was triggered (5), but the Czechs reacted immediately through Jakub Brabec, turning up in the back post following suspect England defending from a corner (9).
The visitors had been below par in the first half, allowing the Czechs from set-pieces and failing to create some chances, and England left to the winner of Ondrasek, though they rose after the break.
Defeat signifies England and Czech Republic are level on points together with Kosovo, on top of Group A four things behind, although A win could have sent England to Euro 2020.
Having been faultless in Qualifiers before the 5-3 triumph over Kosovo last month, the most turmoil in Englands defence continued in Prague.
However, it began. Checking back at lightning pace in the box, Lukas Masopust triped Sterling, allowing Kane to slot from the playground area.
The England fans were in fine voice, however there were murmurs of discontent from then on. 38 percent of goals conceded by England under Southgate have been from set-pieces (12/32), the latest coming in the corner as Ondrej Celustkas capitalised on Michael Keanes slide to locate Brabec to bundle home from close variety.
England did not respond, and nor did they understand in the ball from their mistakes. Soucek climbed above Declan Rice within precisely the same move to the equaliser, however Schick now turned over from a tight angle, as England conceded for only the second time at 78 matches.
England did not look like the unwanted 40 areas. The majority of the first half was played in front of the defence, Sterling was forced while the two Jordan Henderson and Rice dropped their move.
Following the breakup, the passing of England awakened the first half, until Kanes nice through ball located Sterling one-on-one, only to be blocked by goalkeeper Tomas Vaclik as he looked to round him.
Jordan Pickford was then pressured by masopust save from variety, and Southgate started altering things up with 18 minutes remaining Marcus Rashford and Ross Barkley replaced Mason Mount and Jadon Sancho.
On his very first start, the 72 minutes of Mount were alright. In the time of his departure, he had the highest pass accuracy in the opposition half (87.5), the main passes (2), but won only over a third of his duels andd only 27 rolls.
The winner came protecting as Masopusts cut found Ondrasek unmarked, allowing him to drive low to Pickfords left having a effort. Tammy Abraham was released to rescue the day, however the afternoon was one.
Defeat seemed unthinkable awarded in qualifying ahead of the match, England record, but their absence of course at both ends warranted nothing. They will now be forced to sweat to create 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 program, while Czech Republic sponsor Northern Ireland in a friendly on Monday at 6pm, live on Sky Sports Football and Main Event.
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