Prague’s Fortuna Arena became a place of resistance before half-time as the Czech Republic, already reduced to 10 men, held England scoreless in their UEFA Nations League meeting. Thomas Tuchel’s visitors controlled the ball and created the sharper openings, but Matěj Kovář’s work in goal and a crowded home defence kept the contest at 0-0 approaching the interval.
A demanding night in Prague
Both teams arrived in the Czech capital looking for their first points in a group also containing Spain and Croatia. The Czech Republic had opened with a 2-1 defeat to Croatia in Santi Denia’s first match in charge, while England lost 3-2 to Spain at Wembley despite taking the lead.
Tuchel had cautioned beforehand that it was too early to regard the fixture as a must-win game, while recognising the Czech side’s adaptable midfield, movement and threat from wide areas. Denia accepted that England, World Cup semi-finalists, represented a major test, but said his team would not abandon its own football.
The setting carried its own memory. England’s previous visit to this stadium ended in a 2-1 Czech victory on 11 October 2019: Harry Kane scored a penalty before the hosts turned the game around, with Zdeněk Ondráček striking the 85th-minute winner. England won their only meeting since then, 1-0 at Euro 2020, played in 2021.
How the opening 42 minutes unfolded
- England began with extended possession, circulating the ball in search of an opening against an organised Czech block.
- The hosts produced the first clear chance in the sixth minute. Pavel Šulc escaped behind the England defence but lost control as he approached James Trafford, allowing the goalkeeper to gather. England replied through a Trent Alexander-Arnold and Bukayo Saka combination, cleared by Michal Sadílek.
- Adam Hložek then found room on the counterattack and delivered a dangerous cross that Trevoh Chalobah cut out before it could reach a teammate.
- In the 12th minute, Matěj Radosta’s cross was headed away by Chalobah, but Lukáš Červ met the loose ball from outside the area and sent his shot narrowly over Trafford’s bar. Kane had earlier received a warning from the referee following an off-the-ball tussle with Červ.
- The Czech counterattacks continued to trouble England. Šulc had another shooting opportunity after an English error, only for Marc Guéhi to block.
- England came closest in the 18th minute. Morgan Rogers struck the post, Elliot Anderson was denied by Ladislav Krejčí on the rebound, and Saka failed to put the third attempt on target.
- The match changed after 24 minutes when Šulc caught Anderson high on the calf with a late challenge. Turkish referee Halil Umut Meler was sent to the monitor by VAR official Fedayi San and, after his review, dismissed the Czech midfielder in the 25th minute.
- With a numerical advantage, England pressed the home side deeper. Lewis Hall reached the byline on the left in the 30th minute and pulled the ball back for Saka, whose finish went wide.
- Kovář preserved parity with two important interventions in the 33rd minute, first cutting out Alexander-Arnold’s pass towards Rogers and then stopping Anthony Gordon’s effort from a tight angle.
- Myles Lewis-Skelly was booked in the 36th minute for a late, forceful challenge on Červ, catching him around the ankle and instep. The Czech side argued that the offence warranted a red card, but Meler retained the yellow card decision.
- Gordon remained England’s most persistent outlet, beating two defenders on the left before Krejčí diverted his low cross and Kovář collected. By the 42nd minute, Adam Karabec had also required treatment for an ankle problem, briefly leaving the Czech Republic with only nine players on the pitch as England sustained its pressure.
Teams and absences
England started with James Trafford in goal; Alexander-Arnold, Chalobah, Guéhi and Hall in defence; Anderson and Lewis-Skelly in midfield; and Saka, Rogers, Gordon and Kane across the forward line.
The Czech Republic selected Kovář; Štěpán Chaloupek, Robin Hranáč, Krejčí and Jiří Sláma; Červ, Šulc and Sadílek; Radosta, Hložek and Karabec.
Alexander-Arnold returned to England’s starting side, while Jude Bellingham was among the substitutes. Ezri Konsa, who had arrived in the camp carrying a fitness concern, was fit enough for the bench.
- The Czech Republic were without Tomáš Souček through injury, while Tomáš Chorý, Tomáš Vlček, David Zima, David Jurásek and Lukáš Provod had withdrawn with physical problems. Vladimír Coufal also missed the final training session and was unavailable.
- England travelled without Cole Palmer, Marcus Rashford, Kobbie Mainoo and Tino Livramento because of fitness issues.
- Declan Rice was left out to rest after a heavy schedule, and Nico O’Reilly missed the match with a physical complaint.
The 19,370-capacity Fortuna Arena, home of Slavia Prague, therefore watched a first half in which England had the territory and chances, but the Czech Republic’s reduced side still had Kovář and its defensive resolve to protect a goalless scoreline.
