The Czech Republic was given a debacle in the World Cup qualification, only worse only in Wembley
BRATISLAVA. The day before the match in Croatia, Czech coach Ivan Hašek worked fearlessly. « We just didn’t come to defend, we came to win, » he said.
Healthy self -esteem undoubtedly belongs to sport, but sometimes similar statements tend to return as a boomerang. And although the Czechs knew well what opponent they were facing, they were given a tutorial, which was not long ago.
In the key match of the World Championship 2026, they clearly lost 1: 5 and their chances of direct advancement despite the opening three winnings fell to a minimum.
« Absolutely without a chance. Total collapse. The score perfectly tells about what is happening on the pitch, » said journalist Radek Špryňar from isport.cz.
Thirteen minutes of horror
Nothing was confirmed from the words of 61-year-old Hašek. His men were passive and withdrawn in the defense block for most of the match. As if they just came to defend.
Already in the first minute they could collect, but on the goal line Jaroslav Zelený hit well. Ten minutes later, the VAR system, which revealed the offensive foul in front of the goal of Yoška Gvardiola, helped the guests.
Czechs only sporadically into chances. The nearest were in the first half to go the goal in the 20 minutes, but the defender Lyon Dokí Caleta-Car managed to get the start of Patrik Schick and then blocked the end of Pavel Šulc.
Although the image of the game was clear, the Czechs were able to keep the result for an hour. After the change of sides, they even scored when the leading goal of Andrej Kramarič responded after the corner kick Captain Tomáš Souček.
But then there was thirteen minutes of horror, during which the Czechs got four goals, two of them from the penalties. The highlight was a great final pass by Luka Modrič, who attacked the attention of the players and Kramarič did not hesitate again.
« The Czechs hung their heads, they did not expect such a charge. In the second half, the Croats unpacked their concert and kicked the opponent. The key duel ended up for the guests.
The words of the coach are utopia
Sport.cz regularly marks the performances of Czech footballers and this time he had no mercy with them. Almost five were flying, as if a teacher surprised at school by a written of unprepared pupils.
« He had big problems, the rapid Croats were troubled. He did not prosecute, did not manage the fights, and the right side did not work, » says Vladimir Coufal, who played the Premier League for the previous five seasons.
Ivan Perišič (left) and Vladimír Coufal in Croatia – Czech Republic in the World Championship qualification 2026. (Author: TASR/AP)
Czechs even attacked the highest loss in the era of independence. Finally, the result remains 0: 5 from the Wembley qualifying match against England.
« If this match was supposed to set a mirror, it’s not a nice look, » said former representative Karel Poborský after losing to Croats.
Coach Hašek and Captain Souček said after the match that despite the high loss, our western neighbors will fight for the first place in the group to the last moment. However, these words act as a utopia.
If the Croats can handle the fights with Gibraltar, the Faroe Islands and Montenegro, they will be able to afford to lose in the Czech Republic thanks to the recorded score.
« We have to perceive it as reality. Ours will no longer play for the first place, but for the relegation, » Poborský added in the studio of Czech Television.
America, we’re going!
The paradox is that, in the current format, when Croats face three outsiders and the Czech Republic, the former vice -champions of the world can already say that after the second qualifying match that they have the procedure for the World Championship 2026 almost in their pocket.
« America, we’re going! Today we can write it, because by destroying the Czech Republic we did 80 percent of the work and we also clearly showed how much we are better.
Only a miracle could throw us out of the aircraft heading at the World Championship, that is, if we start to make a good stupidity. We never got into such a position easier and did not have a lighter group, « writes Sportsky novelty.
Croatian footballers enjoy the goal of Captain Luka Modrič in the match against the Czech Republic. (Author: TASR/AP)
Coach Zlatko dalič tames exaggerated enthusiasm, but at the same time he said it was time to make the opportunity to decide on the procedure before the final rounds.
« Four goals for a quarter of an hour? Quality was reflected, but was already present in the first half. I am proud to be part of this team.
We played phenomenal and I look forward to going on holiday after such a match, « said Andrej Kramarič after the match.
He has scored 34 times in the national jersey, overcoming Maria Mandžukič. Only Ivan Perišič (36) and Davor Šuker (45) remain in front of him, but Hoffenheim’s striker does not make big hopes on the possible record.
« No, I have reconciled to it a long time ago. We have some goals, but this one is not one of them. I will soon be 34 years old and not everyone aging like Luka Modrič, » said a two -goal shooter from the match with the Czech Republic.
In order to maintain at least the relegation position, the Czechs will need to handle the September match in Montenegro, which they conquered at home 2: 0. Croats await a lighter task as they will be presented in the Faroe Islands.
