Turkey reaches knockout round and eliminates Czech Republic in 2-1 win
Turkey are into the knockout round of Euro 2024 following a dramtaic and hreated 2-1 win over Czechia - a result that sends the Czechs home from the tournament. Hakan Calhanoglu and Cenk Tosun scored either side of Tomas Soucek's goal for Czechia who also had Antonin Barak sent off in the first half as Turkey advanced in second place in Group F.
Turkey booked their spot in the Last 16 for the first time since 2008 as substitute Cenk Tosun secured a lastgasp 2-1 win that saw the 10-man Czech Republic crash out of Euro 2024.
Vincenzo Montella’s Crescent-Stars only had to avoid defeat to progress to the latter stages and their hopes were buoyed on 20 minutes when Antonin Barak was given his marching orders for two quick-fire yellow cards.
Turkey then looked to be cruising following the interval when captain Hakan Çalhanoglu rifled them in front on 51 minutes with a superb first-time strike from the left side of the area.
However, West Ham’s Tomas Soucek pounced upon an error from goalkeeper Mert Gunok just past the hour to set up a barnstorming finale.
The 10-man Czechs threw everything at the Turkish penalty area but could not provide the late twist to stay alive in the competition, and Tosun polished off the job with a fine shot in stoppage time.
The result sees Turkey finish second in Group F with Georgia’s surprise win over pool winners Portugal seeing them progress as one of the best third-placed teams. The Czechs, who reached the last eight in the previous Euros, end up rock bottom and head home early.
Turkey will now meet Austria in the last 16 next Tuesday.
Turkey have made a habit of beating the Czechs in the last group game at a Euros and coach Ivan Hasek could have been forgiven for thinking fate was conspiring against them before a ball had even been kicked.
The Czechs were already without their record scorer at the Euros in the form of the injured Patrik Schick when a promising start was curtailed by a somehow harsh red card – via two quick cautions.
To their credit, the 10-men continued to battle and despite falling behind grabbed a lifeline when one of several dangerous set pieces paid dividends.
An unlikely turnaround remained on the cards until deep into stoppage time when Turkey rubbed salt in their wounds with a winner on the break.
It’s never routine when it comes to The Crescent Stars but it's usually rather entertaining. They remain dark horses to replicate the kind of run that saw them reach the semis in 2008 as they are in what looks like the easier side of the draw on paper.
The 30-year-old Inter midfielder kept the game ticking over in the middle of the park and capped a fine individual display with his first-ever European Championship goal in his third finals