Turkey's 2-1 win sends them to Euro 2024 last 16 and Czech Republic home

NEW DELHI: Turkey secured a 2-1 victory against a 10-man Czech Republic team, advancing to the Euro 2024 last-16 where they will face Austria. On the other hand, the defeat resulted in the Czech Republic's exit from the tournament.
Despite their efforts and a history of reaching the quarter-finals in the previous tournament, the Czech team's aspirations were significantly hindered by the early dismissal of midfielder Antonin Barak, who received a second yellow card in the 20th minute.
The match concluded with heightened tensions, leading to Tomas Chory of the Czech Republic receiving a red card during a post-game altercation. The game was notable for the high number of cards issued by the referee, totalling 18, including two red and 16 yellow cards, setting a new record for the Euros.
The encounter was characterized by aggressive play from both teams, with the Turkish team enjoying substantial support from their fans, reflecting their large diaspora in Germany.
The atmosphere was intense and the competition fierce, despite the challenging hot conditions. Hakan Calhanoglu, at 30 years old, scored his first goal in his third Euros participation in the 50th minute, a moment that ignited the Turkish supporters.

His goal came from a low shot that not only bypassed the Czech goalkeeper Jindrich Stanek but also resulted in Stanek sustaining a shoulder injury, forcing him to leave the game.
A missed opportunity by Turkey's Arda Guler to extend their lead was quickly followed by an equalizer from the Czech Republic, with Tomas Soucek scoring in the 66th minute amidst a chaotic scene following a long throw.
The match's intensity continued to build until Cenk Tosun scored the decisive goal for Turkey in stoppage time, eliciting jubilant celebrations from the Turkish bench and fans alike. This victory was particularly meaningful for Turkey, helping to overcome the disappointment of their performance at Euro 2020, where they were eliminated in the group stage.
Turkey, finishing second in Group F behind Portugal, are set to play Austria on July 2 in Leipzig. Despite Portugal's loss to Georgia, they had already secured the top position in the group, while Georgia advanced as one of the best third-placed teams.