
Audio By Carbonatix
England must wait to confirm their place in Euro 2020 after the Czech Republic deservedly ended their 43-game unbeaten run in qualifiers stretching back 10 years.
Gareth Southgate's side would have secured their place in next summer's tournament with victory in Prague but they can have no complaints after a wretched display against a Czech side who were a different proposition from that swept aside 5-0 at Wembley in March.
England were handed the perfect start when captain Harry Kane put them ahead from the penalty spot in the fifth minute after Lukas Masopust fouled Raheem Sterling but they were well below their best and slumped to a bitterly disappointing defeat.
The Czechs were swiftly level when Jakub Brabec scored following a corner. England could not muster further inspiration and substitute Zdenek Ondrasek pounced to score the winner with four minutes left.
England were desperately poor throughout and were grateful to goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, who produced fine saves from Vladimir Coufal, Masopust and Alex Kral, while Czech counterpart Tomas Vaclik did well to deny Sterling and Kane.
They can put things right against Bulgaria in Sofia on Monday but this was a serious reality check for a side hoping to do great things next summer, losing a qualifier for the first time since they went down 1-0 to Ukraine on 10 October 2009.
Latest Stories
-
Balancing the scales: McDan Aviation, E&P, and politics of opportunity in Ghana’s economy
3 minutes -
GRA credits Publican AI system for exposing GH¢11bn port leakages
7 minutes -
Owabi, Barekese water plants face shutdown threat over pollution and power outages
15 minutes -
Catholic Bishops call for national dialogue on LGBTQ debate
19 minutes -
Softcare FM Manufacturing Ltd backs Consumer Health Week, pushes science-driven care agenda
20 minutes -
The Eyes of Ghana to premiere in April, spotlighting rare Nkrumah-era footage
23 minutes -
$31bn transferred without matching imports in five years — GRA boss
36 minutes -
JoyNews Impact Maker, Williams Akongbabre, presents award to people of Bawku West
37 minutes -
Kenya backs Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara, signals push for implementation
44 minutes -
Hip-hop pioneer, Afrika Bambaataa, dies aged 68
52 minutes -
Let OSP defend itself in Supreme Court case — Prof Prempeh
1 hour -
Emmanuel Kweenu Haizel aka Simpa Panyin
1 hour -
Police foil planned highway robbery in Ashanti Region, one suspect shot dead
1 hour -
Sunyani Technical University dismisses 3 students over examination malpractice
2 hours -
NPRA prosecutes 11 employers, recovers GH¢27m in 2025
2 hours