Czech Republic vs Scotland. UEFA Nations League Group B2.
Andruv Stadion.
Goals from Lyndon Dykes and Ryan Christie hand Scots hard-fought victory against side that included nine debutants
Tuesday 8 September 2020 07:16, UK
Scotland moved to the top of their Nations League group after beating a makeshift Czech Republic side 2-1 at the Andruv Stadium in Olomouc.
Playing against a Czech side that included nine debutants after a Covid-19 crisis in the build-up to the game, Scotland were behind after just 11 minutes when Jiri Pesek produced a cool finish to beat David Marshall.
However, Steve Clarke's side fought back before the break through Lyndon Dykes' first international goal (27) and the comeback was complete seven minutes into the second half as Ryan Christie scored from the spot after Andrew Robertson was brought down in the penalty area.
The hosts had chances late on as Marshall denied Pesek a second before Stanislav Tecl, one of only two players already capped in the Czech Republic line-up, shot wide with the goal at his mercy
Substitute Antonin Rusek then saw a last-gasp header graze the post as Scotland held on for a much-needed boost ahead of their Euro 2020 play-off against Israel on October 8.
This match had been shrouded in controversy since Friday when the Czech Republic had declared the fixture to be off after two players had to self-isolate following contact with a backroom staff member who had tested positive for coronavirus.
UEFA, however, insisted it go ahead with a new set of players and management, and it was one of the international new boys who gave the hosts a shock lead 11 minutes in as Pesek ghosted in behind Scott McTominay to control Tecl's through ball and finish past the onrushing Marshall.
It was exactly the start Clarke did not want and shortly afterwards, Marshall tipped away a long-range drive from Pesek.
Scotland slowly worked their way back into the game and in the 27th minute Liam Palmer took a cross-field pass from skipper Robertson and his cross was put into the roof of the net by Dykes from close range.
The visitors completed the turnaround in the 52nd minute when Tomas Malinsky fouled Robertson and Christie steered the spot-kick past the diving Ales Mandous, who guessed the right way.
However, Scotland could not shake off the spirited Czech side.
Marshall made another excellent save to deny Pesek and Tecl, with the goal gaping, stumbled and fired the rebound wide.
Callum Paterson then missed a chance on the break, but it did not prove costly.
In the final minute of normal time, Rusek hit the post with a header as Scotland, who extended their unbeaten run to five games, escaped with victory.
Scotland boss Steve Clarke: "The first thing you start with is the Czech Republic. I've got to pay the coach and the players a big compliment. It would have been a fairy-tale night for them - for us, we were always on a hiding to nothing. Everyone told us before the start of the game we had to win the game, so we won the game, we take the three points and go home.
"To concede the first goal is not ideal, it gives life to the opposition. After that we reacted well, scored a fantastic goal, pleased to see Lyndon get on the scoresheet.
"The second half, we got our noses in front, again a good switch of play, we got Andy in the box, it was a penalty and Ryan did what he did so both strikers scored which is good.
"You have to look at last 15 minutes of the game in a different context. We were under the cosh, they can throw bodies forward, they have nothing to lose.
"We lacked a little bit of quality to get the third on the counter-attack which would have taken the sting out of the situation. But the way we defended, getting the blocks in and bodies on the line, shows a big commitment from the lads to their country. They knew they had to get a result for their country, and they did everything to get it."
Andrew Robertson: "It was far from ideal for them, but it wasn't ideal for us. Friday, we came out of the [Israel] game thinking it's cancelled and then Saturday it was uncertain and on Sunday we had to focus on the game.
"It was not ideal, but we dealt with it, dealt with the cards we were given, but we've got the three points and we are top of the group.
"We were on a hiding to nothing. People would have found negatives in whatever we had done tonight but I am not really bothered. That's five unbeaten so let's take some positives."
Lyndon Dykes: "It was really good. It is obviously good for a striker to get off the mark. It was good to contribute to a 2-1 win but in the end, it was good to get that victory for the boys and three points and get back to Scotland.
"It was a tough game, it was hard conditions with what happened before the game but in the end we got three points and you couldn't ask for anything more.
"It's obviously given me confidence. Now I'm at QPR, the season starts the week coming so I'm going to go into the season with confidence.
"I've really enjoyed my time, this is my first international with Scotland and I've enjoyed every minute. The boys are great, the manager's great and hopefully there's many more to come."
Scotland host Israel in a Euro 2020 play-off (7.45pm) on October 8, while Czech Republic take on Cyprus in an international friendly on October 6 (kick-off tbc).
