Czech Republic v Spain, UEFA Nations League, Group A2, 5/6/2022 - Official line-ups. BeSoccer
Join us for live coverage of the UEFA Nations League Group A2 fixture between Czech Republic and Spain from the SINOBO Stadium in Prague. The last match between the two national teams was at Euro 2016 and Spain won 1-0. Switzerland and Portugal are also in this group.
FT: Czech Republic 2-2 Spain! The hosts looked to impose themselves early on and quickly took advantage when Pesek tapped into an empty net. Eventually, the pressure told just before half-time when Gavi fired in a precise, low finish. The second half followed a similar pattern: the hosts executed a lightning-quick counter-attack with Kuchta finishing over Simon with a superb lob. However, Spain weren't to be denied though and they equalised late on when Martinez headed in Asensio's cross.
Statistics of Íñigo Martínez in Liga de las Naciones de la UEFA
2
1
0.5
0
0
0
90'
GOAL for Spain! Spain are level! Asensio sends a fine cross over from the left-hand side and Iñigo Martínez climbs highest to head it goalwards, the ball hitting the underside of the bar and bouncing just over the line!
86'
Long-range shot by Morata, but he cannot get the effort on target. The clock is ticking down for Spain here in Prague.
85'
Spain are beginning to run out of ideas. An intricate move ends with Carvajal floating in a harmless cross that Vaclik gathers easily.
82'
Alonso lashes a dangerous ball across the face of goal, but no one's on hand to turn it in and the hosts clear.
Statistics of Jan Kuchta in Liga de las Naciones de la UEFA
6
2
0.33
1
0
0
66'
GOAL for Czech Republic! The Czech Republic retake the lead. Cerny threads a precise throughball forward and Martinez misses his interception. Kuchta gambled on the mistake and streams through on goal before delightfully lobbing Simon from the edge of the box, as the ball bounces elegantly into the net!
64'
Spain have enjoyed 80 per cent possession since half-time and the Czech Republic are clearly tiring. Nevertheless, this game remains in the balance.
62'
Off the post! Almost an instant impact from Asensio. The attacker latches onto Koke's throughball and takes a touch before unleashing an angled drive from 15-yards that flicks off the far post before ricocheting away!
61'
Spain triple sub: Busquets, Morata and Asensio on for Rodri, RDT and Dani Olmo.
60'
Gavi has become Spain's youngest goalscorer, aged 17 years and 304 days.
SAVE! Vaclik pushes away Garcia's header but the rebound falls to Gavi! The midfielder drives in a low cross and De Tomas steers it towards goal, only for Vaclik to flick it to safety!
55'
CHANCE! The hosts exploit Spain's high line again as Kuchta races in behind the defence to find himself clean through on goal following Sadilek's throughball! The striker closes in on Simon before knocking a 10-yard strike inches wide of the far post!
52'
Spain break at pace and with a touch more urgency, with Ferran Torres at the heart of it, and he crosses but it's ever so slightly behind the advancing Olmo, who tries to force it towards goal but Zima gets in the way.
52'
Corner awarded to Czech Republic.
49'
A chance for Olmo to shoot after some good play around the box once more, but he curls the effort wide of the far post.
46'
Spain kick off the second half.
45'
Czech Republicn HT sub: Jankto unable to continue and replaced by Havel
45'
Spain HT sub: Ferran Torres on for Sarabia.
45'
HT: Czech Republic 1-1 Spain! The hosts imposed themselves on Spain and quickly took the lead when Kuchta broke the offside trap before selflessly setting up Pesek. Spain responded by snatching control of the game with long spells of possession, but they struggled to create chances. However, in stoppage time Gavi found a little space inside the box and equalised with a superb finish. Gavi's goal leaves the game finely balance as we enter the interval at 1-1.
45+3: It was a neat pass from Rodrigo to find Gavi inside the box, but that goal was all about the clinical finish that followed from the midfielder!
45'
45+3: GOAL for Spain! Spain are level and it's a first international goal for Gavi! Carvajal's cross is cleared as far as Rodri, who turns and plays the ball to Gavi, who takes a touch inside and despite being closed down, he calmly sweeps the ball into the bottom corner. A finish of supreme skill and confidence.
42'
Jankto, who came on for Zelený, suffers an injury as Sarabia clatters into him, unintentionally it must be said. He is in some pain and may have to be replaced himself now.
40'
Carvajal finds Gavi near the byline, but the midfielder can't find a teammate with his cross and the hosts clear.
38'
Another long spell of Spain possession ends abruptly as Brabec races out the backline to clear.
34'
Spain finally force Vaclík into some work, but he'll be happy if every save he has tonight is like this one. Again the free-kick is taken short, then crossed in and Eric García heads for goal from 16 metres, but it loops up into the arms of the keeper.
33'
Foul by Jankto on Sarabia.
29'
Corner awarded to Spain.
26'
CHANCE! De Tomas' shot deflects into the path of Sarabia on the edge of the box! The attacker places a shot towards the bottom corner, but it drifts narrowly wide.
Zelený needs treatment after an awkward fall, prompting both Jankto and Havel to warm up on the sidelines.
23'
Sarabia is adjudged to be in an offside position.
20'
Sarabia whips a dangerous cross to the back post, but Zima fends off both Alonso and De Tomas to clear.
17'
Corner awarded to Spain.
14'
Spain probe on the edge of the box, but Olmo is eventually crowded out and the hosts clear.
10'
Spain attempt to settle the game down with a long spell of defensive possession.
9'
Gavi is penalised for a foul on Kuchta.
5'
The flag is overruled and the goal will stand!
5'
GOAL for Czech Republic! The hosts take an early lead. Carvajal loses his concentration and jogs behind the defensive line, allowing Kuchta to break the offside trap and race onto a throughball! Kuchta and Pesek find themselves with a two-on-one against Simon and the former rolls it to the latter who taps it into an empty net!
4'
The home side have the ball in the net, but the flag has gone up for offside and the VAR is checking the decision.
2'
Corner awarded to Czech Republic.
1'
We are off! The home side are all in red this evening, with Spain all in white.
Start of match
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Tomas Soucek and Koke, the two captains, come together for the coin toss and we're about to start!
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The teams make their way out here!
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The players get ready in the tunnel!
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French Francois Letexier is the referee for this one while Willy Delajod is the VAR.
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Spain's starting XI going through warm-up sprints.
Gavi wins his eighth cap tonight. The 17-year old Barcelona talent greatly contributed to Spain's goal against Portugal. Will he shine again tonight and maybe score his first international goal?
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Spain's goalkeepers are first out of the tunnel to warm up.
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The last meeting was in the UEFA EURO 2016 finals when Gerard Pique scored the only goal three minutes from time in Toulouse to give Spain the win in what was both sides' opening game in the tournament.
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Spain arrive in Prague looking for their first UEFA Nations League win of this campaign.
It's easier to list those who remain in the Spain side after their draw with Portugal as Luis Enrique shuffles his pack with eight changes. Unai Simon, Gavi and Sarabia are the only three to keep their places.
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Czech Republic make those three changes from the side which beat Switzerland, Pesek, Mateju and Lingr in for Krejci, Jankto and Hlozek.
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Soucek made his international debut on 15th November 2016 against Denmark (1-1). Tonight he is set to win his 50th cap. Now captain, the West Ham man has scored nine goals for the Czechs.
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Spain bench: Raya (GK), Sanchez (GK); Pau Torres, Azpilicueta, Jordi Alba, Diego Llorente; Soler, Marcos Llorente, Busquets; Ferran Torres, Asensio.