Euro 2024: Turkey beat Czechs to reach Last-16

Turkey beat a resilient 10-man Czech Republic 2-1 on Wednesday to get to the Euro 2024 last-16. Hakan Calhanoglu and Cenk Tosun’s goals propelled Turkey through, while the Czechs were eliminated.

Euro 2024: Turkey beat Czechs to reach Last-16

In the 20th minute, Antonin Barak, 28, was given a harsh second yellow card, leaving the Czechs with a hard hill to climb. Despite their deficit, the Czech team played with energy and commitment.

In his third Euros, Calhanoglu scored his first goal with a low strike in the 50th minute. Turkey’s massive crowd celebrated his strike, making Hamburg boisterous. After Calhanoglu’s goal, Czech goalie Jindrich Stanek, who looked to injure his shoulder, left the game.

The contest took another dramatic turn when 19-year-old Arda Guler wasted a great chance to double Turkey’s lead. Tomas Soucek equalized for the Czechs in the 66th minute after a wild long throw-in.

In an exciting finish, Tosun scored in stoppage time, sending the Turkish bench and fans wild. Turkey’s three losses and eight goals in Euro 2020 were erased by the win.

“We all fought very well together,” remarked defender Mert Muldur. “We struggled against such teams. I think we’ve improved.”

Turkey played Austria in Leipzig on July 2 in the last-16 after finishing second in Group F behind Portugal. “We only wanted to leave the group when we chatted to our pals before camp. Winger Baris Alper Yilmaz said we kept our word. Step by step, we’ll proceed. We rejoice.”

The Czechs wasted a chance to advance and rued their loss. Captain Soucek lamented the “disrespectful” red card that swayed the outcome. “It is a disappointment because we all wanted to advance,” stated.

Everyone gave their all. Massive morale. A tragic ending… That’s football.”

Portugal, having guaranteed first place in the group, fell to Georgia, one of the finest third-placed finishers. The Czechs finished last in the group with one point.