Pilař rescues Czechs after Latvia threaten shock
Václav Pilař left it late but his last-minute goal rescued a point for the Group A leaders after the winless visitors threatened a shock.
Václav Pilař equaliser in last minute rescues draw for Czech Republic
• Aleksejs Višņakovs puts Latvia into shock lead with lethal counterrattack
• David Lafata hits crossbar but Pavel Vrba's men get late reward
• Hosts still top Group A but lose perfect record
• Next qualifiers: Latvia v Netherlands, Iceland v Czech Republic (12 June)
• Aleksejs Višņakovs puts Latvia into shock lead with lethal counterrattack
• David Lafata hits crossbar but Pavel Vrba's men get late reward
• Hosts still top Group A but lose perfect record
• Next qualifiers: Latvia v Netherlands, Iceland v Czech Republic (12 June)
Václav Pilař's 90th-minute equaliser rescued a point for Group A leaders Czech Republic at home to Latvia, although the hosts' perfect UEFA EURO 2016 record ended.
Going into the game with four wins from four, Pavel Vrba's men were shocked by Aleksejs Višņakovs's 30th-minute opener on the counterattack for their winless visitors. The Czechs threw everything at Marians Pahars' side in the second period and eventually got their reward through Pilař, though their section lead is down to a point after Iceland's earlier win.
The visitors defied expectations from the start. After just three minutes Kaspars Gorkšs headed a corner a fraction wide, while the Czech rhythm was consistently checked by loose passing and expert anticipation from the Latvian defence. Pahars' tactics worked a treat and his side pounced with lethal pace on the counter.
Things were set up for the home side to launch a free-kick into the area, but instead a sideways pass was pounced on by Artūrs Zjuzins who released Višņakovs to streak clear from the halfway line and slot under Petr Čech.
Vrba reacted at the interval by throwing on Pilař and the Czechs went looking for openings at every opportunity though the Latvian defence remained resolute. David Lafata's header fell on the top of the crossbar in 51st minute before both keepers made excellent saves. Another Lafata header was tipped over the bar by Andris Vaņins; Petr Čech did the same with a rising Deniss Rakels shot.
Things ended dramatically. First Valērijs Šabala's lob over a stranded Čech dribbled a fraction wide before Pilař got there first to turn in the ball in the last minute after Václav Procházka's shot had been saved.
There was still time for a winner and the home team thought it was coming their way only for Tomáš Necid's shot to hit his own team-mate on the line after Václav Kadlec had tumbled in the goalmouth.
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