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Czech Republic national football team
European Championship | Group Stage
Jun 21, 2016 at 8pm UK
 
Turkey national football team

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FT(HT: 0-1)
Yilmaz (10'), Tufan (65')

Live Commentary: Czech Republic 0-2 Turkey - as it happened

Relive Sports Mole's live coverage of Turkey's 2-0 victory over Czech Republic at Euro 2016.
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Turkey have given themselves a chance of reaching the knockout stages at Euro 2016 with a 2-0 victory over Czech Republic.

Goals from Burak Yilmaz and Ozan Tufan earned Fatih Terim's men a comfortable win to finish in third position in Group D.

They must now hope results go their way on Wednesday but it would take two scorelines to go against them in order to deny them a place in the last 16.

Read below to see how the action unfolded in Lens.


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Hello, and welcome to Sports Mole's live commentary of the Euro 2016 fixture in Group D between Czech Republic and Turkey.

In usual circumstances, both Czech Republic and Turkey would be on the brink of elimination from Euro 2016 with neither side winning a game so far. However, the third-place qualification rule has ensured that both teams can qualify with victory in Lens this evening. It's a process that has earned mixed reviews but I'm sure both nations won't care right now.

PERMUTATIONS! After their comeback against Croatia on Friday evening, Czech Republic know that they will qualify for the knockout stages if they can secure three points tonight. It's a lot tougher for Turkey, however, who need to win and win handsomely as they head into the game with a minus-four leg difference. There's still a possibility that three points could be enough to qualify, though, so don't expect Fatih Terim's team to lack ambition.

Anyway, without further ado, let's take a look at the two sides, starting with Czech Republic.

CZECH REPUBLIC XI: Cech, Kaderabek, Sivok, Hubnik, Pudil, Plasil, Pavelka, Darida, Dockal, Krejci, Necid

TURKEY XI: Babacan, Koybasi, Balta, Topal, Gonul, Inan, Tufan, Turan, Sen, Mor, Yilmaz

It was announced a few days ago that Tomas Rosicky would miss the rest of the tournament through injury but Czech Republic coach Pavel Vrba has gone for more than just the one change - he's made four to be precise. Daniel Pudil, David Pavelka, Borek Dockal and Tomas Necid have all been included.

Turkey have also made numerous alterations, with new Borussia Dortmund player Emre Mor one of three changes made by Faith Terim. After their capitulation against Spain, it's a bit of a surprise that he didn't freshen up his side even more.

RESULTS! We've already had the completion of Group C earlier this evening with Germany edging past Northern Ireland and Poland sealing a narrow win against Ukraine. Both victors progress through to the last 16 while Northern Ireland are left waiting on the result of this game and tomorrow's fixture to see if they can go through as one of the best third-place sides.

HEAD TO HEAD! Tonight's two teams are familiar foes having played each other during the qualifying campaign. They shared a win apiece - which came on away territory - but Czech Republic hold a slender advantage over Turkey overall with five wins to three. There has only ever been one draw between the nations - not exactly good news for Northern Ireland who would be delighted with that scoreline this evening.

Czech Republic came into this tournament in relatively mixed form and that has only continued during their stay in France. They were slightly unfortunate to lose out 1-0 to Spain in their opening match, although they would have suffered a much heavier defeat had Alvaro Morata and co been on form that day, and for 70 minutes against Croatia, they were second best and look to be destined to remain without a point. However, their two-goal comeback against one of the dark horses of the tournament has lifted spirits in their camp and they will be confident of seeing off opponents who are yet to score a goal. The absence of Tomas Rosicky is a blow but this is a chance for Vrba's side to take responsibility without one of the greatest players in their history. Reaching the knockout stages would represent success for Czech Republic and they have every chance of achieving that tonight.

As for Turkey, they had only suffered one defeat in 16 matches heading into this tournament so Fatih Terim must be desperately disappointed to have overseen two defeats. They still have the opportunity to try to turn things around but their confidence would have undoubtedly taken a huge hit by losing so comprehensively to Spain on Friday night. Terim has attempted to freshen things up but he can't realistically expect his side to win by the wide margin that is required. If the goals come, then great, but first things first, they must win this football match and if everything clicks, Czech Republic may find them difficult to deal with.

PREDICTION! Returning home from a major tournament without a win would not be a great experience and both teams are under pressure to deliver this evening. We aren't sure what type of game to expect given everything that is on the line but we do think the two sides will cancel each other out. We are going for a 1-1 draw.

Czech Republic may be interested to keep an eye on the game between Spain and Croatia, with a defeat for Croatia and win for Czech Republic potentially seeing the two teams switch positions in Group D. If you would like to keep up-to-date with that contest, you can do so by clicking here.

The two teams have made their way out. There are a few tense faces but that may be heightened with the lack of umph in either national anthem.

Czech Republic get us underway in Lens.

Czech Republic aren't hanging around. They win a corner inside the opening 30 seconds and although it's flicked cleared on the far side of the penalty area, it's certainly been a statement of intent.

Turkey are still having to absorb plenty of pressure and have not touched the ball in the Czech Republic half. This has been impressive from Vrba's side but we are still awaiting the first shot on goal.

CHANCE! It's only half a chance but it's still a chance. Necid's cutback finds Darida but it's a difficult ball to control and get his shot away and in the end, he mis-controls and the ball goes behind for a goal kick.

Scottish referee Willie Collum has been very lenient so far. Yilmaz has been cynically brought down on two occasions and neither challenge warranted a booking in the eyes of the official while a Czech Republic player just felt a flailing arm in his face without any foul being awarded.

GOAL! Czech Republic 0-1 Turkey (Yilmaz)

Turkey take the lead! Moments after Spain took the lead against Croatia in the other game, Turan released Mor down the right wing and after the teenager waited patiently, he found the run of Yilmaz who sent the ball into the top corner from eight yards. Great news for Northern Ireland!

That goal came against the run of play but Turkey look up for this now. Czech Republic are slightly rattled and need some kind of response.

WOODWORK! Better from Czech Republic who string together a few passes before Darida has a shot deflected wide for a corner. From the resulting set piece, Sivok rose above the Turkish defence only to see his header strike the post and rebound clear.

This game is being played at a frenetic pace - it's very un-Euro-2016-like! After another neat Czech Republic move, Turkey broke and Mor thought he had gotten in behind the defence but the assistant raised his flag.

Mor is proving to be a pain in the backside for Czech Republic and his pace and movement earns Turkey a free kick around 25 yards from goal. Inan takes responsibility for the kick but it strikes the wall.

CHANCES! Turkey may have the lead but Czech Republic are continuing to knock on the door. Moments after Babacan saved from Kaderabek at the near post, a Necid flick almost beat the Turkish goalkeeper but the ball just cleared the crossbar. This has to be on the best openings to a game at this tournament so far.

Every time that Czech Republic are in possession, they are being booed vigorously by the Turkish supporters. They are really backing their side tonight who owe them a performance. So far, they are getting one.

The chances have dried up for Czech Republic over the last few minutes. Cech just attempted a long ball over the top of the defence but Necid was given offside. They don't need to result to that kind of desperation just yet. They look sharp when they have the ball in the final third.

BOOKING! Koybasi goes into the book after cutting off the run of a Czech Republic player on the right flank. It's pretty cynical and he is deservedly cautioned. Nothing comes from the resulting free kick.

BOOKING! The referee was lenient for the first half hour but the cards are coming out now. Plasil is the next man into the book after hauling down Mor, who continues to be the player of the match so far.

SHOT! Czech Republic are very much back in the ascendancy and Plasil - the man who has just been booked - played a neat one-two with Dockal before seeing Babacan pull off a tremendous stop from his 25-yard drive.

BOOKING! Three bookings in five minutes. The Scottish official has gone from one extreme to another! Pavelka has been cautioned after a late swipe at Inan in the middle of the park.

Turkey have more than matched Czech Republic in this half but the only shot they have had is the goal. For a team who needs to win by as many goals as possible, it's not a very possible statistic. Still, there are over 45 minutes to go.

There will be one minute of added-on time. I think that's it as far as the action is concerned, however. Sivok has just sent a volley over the crossbar.

HALF TIME: Czech Republic 0-1 Turkey

The half-time whistle goes in Lens and despite having just the one chance on goal, Turkey lead Czech Republic thanks to Yilmaz's early strike. As is stands, neither side will qualify for the last 16 in third place so expect plenty of action in the second half.

The two teams are back out in Lens. Croatia equalised against Spain just before the break so as it stands, Czech Republic and Turkey are only playing for third place, although that's the best that Turkey can achieve regardless. We are back underway.

I may have been critical of Turkey's approach to this game - at least the amount of chances that they are creating anyway - but they look rapid on the counter-attack whenever Czech Republic concede possession. They need goals, however, and it's perhaps the wrong tactics from Terim.

BOOKING! We have another booking - the fourth of the contest. Balta barges into Necid on the edge of the area and it is an easy decision for the referee.

OUCH! There has been a three-way clash of heads and the trio are all on the ground. Gonul has taken a very nasty knock just above his eye and there is blood everywhere. He looks like he is going to be fine to carry on but that looked like it hurt!

Czech Republic have been a man to the good for a couple of minutes but it's Turkey who are more threatening despite the temporary absence of Gonul. They are starting to show a little more ambition.

CHANCE! An outstanding ball over the top finds Mor and the teenager wastes no time in attacking the Czech Republic backline. He runs across to the other side of the pitch before attempting an effort on goal but it just clears the bar. The 18-year-old has been brilliant tonight.

SHOT! Back up the other end, Darida tried his luck with a low drive from 20 yards but Babacan got down well to his left.

We've less than 30 minutes to go in this contest and things are looking up for Northern Ireland. Unless Turkey score three more goals or Czech Republic win, they are through to the last 16.

GOAL! Czech Republic 0-2 Turkey (Tufan)

Turkey have doubled their lead through Tufan! A free kick is whipped into the box but it falls fortuitously for Topal, who lays it off to Tufan to lash home a thunderous strike into the top corner from 12 yards. Turkey need two more and they will be in the last 16!

You have to feel a little for the Czech Republic because they've had all the possession and chances but they have been punished for failing to convert them. They look down and out now and it is all about whether Turkey can win by a greater margin.

Big drama in the Spain match. Sergio Ramos has missed a penalty and Croatia still have a shot at top spot! You can follow our updates here.

Czech Republic are still plugging away but I can't see them scoring one goal, let alone three. How have Turkey looked so poor in their previous two matches?

CHANCE! Turkey are showing no signs of easing off in this match and they have just come close to a third. A cross from Gonal found the head of Turan but the Barcelona man could only head a couple of yards over Cech's crossbar.

CHANCE! Sivok has been a big danger from set pieces but he continues to go without his sixth international goal. He made a clean connection with his header but it was never threatening the target.

CHANCE! Turkey must wonder how they haven't added a third goal. After a scramble inside the penalty area, Olcay Sahan moved the ball into a shooting position - one similar to that of Tufan's goal - but he sliced his effort wide of the target. He should have at least tested Cech.

As it stands, Turkey are going above Albania in the race for one of the best third-place positions. It would leave the minnows hanging on until tomorrow but Turkey would only need one result to go their way in order to progress.

Blimey, Croatia have taken the lead against Spain! They have just a few minutes to see out to finish as winners of the group.

There will be five minutes of added-on time. Still a chance for another goal...

SHOT! Tosun should give Cech some work to do with a low drive from 20 yards but he completely scuffs his shot and it goes wide.

FULL TIME: Czech Republic 0-2 Turkey

The full-time whistle goes in Lens and Turkey have prevailed with a potentially vital 2-0 win over Czech Republic. They now must wait on tomorrow's matches but after being down and out in Group D, they now look in pole position to nick a third-place spot in the knockout stages!

That will be all from Sports Mole for this game. Thank you for joining us on a night which has delivered a Turkey win, Croatia shocking Spain to win Group D and Northern Ireland reaching the last 16! Goodbye for now.

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Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Germany Germany00000
2 Hungary Hungary00000
3 Scotland flag Scotland00000
4 Switzerland Switzerland00000

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Albania national flag Albania00000
2 Croatia Croatia00000
3 Italy Italy00000
4 Spain Spain00000

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Denmark Denmark00000
2 England flag England00000
3 Serbia Serbia00000
4 Slovenia Slovenia00000

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Austria Austria00000
2 France France00000
3 Netherlands Netherlands00000
4 Poland Poland00000

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Belgium Belgium00000
2 Romania Romania00000
3 Slovakia Slovakia00000
4 Ukraine Ukraine00000

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Czech Republic Czech Republic00000
2 Georgia Georgia00000
3 Portugal Portugal00000
4 Turkey Turkey00000


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