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Shock defeat to Sterling hat-trick: Past meetings between England and Czech Republic

Zdeněk Ondrášek secured the Czech Republic's last victory over England.
Zdeněk Ondrášek secured the Czech Republic's last victory over England.Barbora Reichová / CNC / Profimedia

The Czech Republic have faced England five times since gaining independence, losing three, drawing one and winning one. The last three meetings came during qualifying for Euro 2020 and then at the European Championship itself. England first inflicted a historic thrashing on the Czechs, but a sensational revenge victory followed in Prague that autumn. What happened in the last three meetings between the two sides?

22nd March 2019, England 5-0 Czech Republic

Stat: First international hat-trick for Raheem Sterling

The Czech Republic made a dreadful start to their Euro 2020 qualifying campaign at Wembley. England were in control, with Sterling opening the scoring in the 24th minute before Harry Kane doubled the lead from the penalty spot shortly before half-time.

Before the break, an unfortunate touch also saw Tomas Kalas score an own goal.

After the restart, Sterling completed his first international hat-trick with two more goals to make it 5-0. It was the heaviest defeat in the history of the independent Czech Republic.

Jaroslav Silhavy's side struggled with the pace, combination play and individual quality of the previous World Cup semi-finalists. That made their revenge victory in Prague that autumn all the more significant, as the Czechs handed the same opponents their first qualifying defeat in 10 years.

11th October 2019, Czech Republic 2-1 England

Stat: 43 matches and the end of England's unbeaten run in qualifying

The visitors made the perfect start at Vrsovice's Eden. Kane converted a penalty in the fifth minute after the referee awarded it for a foul by Jakub Brabec on Sterling.

The Czech defender quickly made amends, however, turning the ball home after a scramble in the visitors' penalty area to beat Jordan Pickford and level in the ninth minute.

The hosts weathered pressure from the favourites in the second half, before the decisive moment arrived five minutes from time. Lukáš Masopust burst down the right and sent the ball across the face of goal.

Substitute Zdenek Ondrášek found space in the penalty area and fired home. England had lost a qualifying match for the first time since October 2009, when they were beaten by Ukraine.

The hugely valuable victory moved the Czech Republic significantly closer to Euro qualification.

22nd June 2021, Czech Republic 0-1 England

Stat: Just 20,000 fans at Wembley

Two teams with four points each met at Wembley to battle for top spot in Group D. England took the lead in the 12th minute. Jack Grealish delivered a precise cross from the left to the far post, where Sterling headed home past Tomas Vaclik.

It was the Manchester City forward's second of three goals at the home European Championship and the fourth he had scored against the Czech Republic in his international career.

The Czechs, managed by Jaroslav Silhavy, tried to equalise after conceding, but failed to create any clear chances against the English defence. None of their three shots was on target. Tomas Holes came closest, but Pickford produced an acrobatic save to keep out his effort from 25 metres.

Wembley was far from full because of the Covid restrictions, with only 20,000 fans allowed into the stadium. England topped the group thanks to the win and later reached the final, while the Czech Republic progressed in third place and knocked out the Netherlands in the last 16.

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