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In a dramatic final match of Group F, Turkey secured their place in the Round of 16 at Euro 2024 by defeating Czechia 2-1 in Hamburg on Wednesday night. This victory, coupled with Georgia’s surprise win over Portugal, saw the Turks advance in second place, leaving the Czechs at the bottom of the group.
Early Drama and Tactical Battles
With Portugal already through as group winners, the remaining three teams were locked in a fierce battle for the second spot. Georgia’s early goal against Portugal put extra pressure on the Czech Republic, who needed a win to progress.
The match began with the Czechs on the front foot. Provod, who scored against Portugal earlier in the tournament, tested Turkish goalkeeper Gunok with a strong shot. The aerial threat from Czechia, due to their physicality, was evident early on.
Turkey gradually took control of possession, with Arda Guler, the Real Madrid playmaker, orchestrating their attacks. Guler’s attempts from distance and a crucial interception by Krejci highlighted the intense back-and-forth nature of the game.
Turning Point: Barák’s Red Card
The game took a decisive turn when Czech midfielder Antonin Barák received a second yellow card for a late challenge, reducing his team to ten men. The first booking, for a blatant foul, was avoidable and compounded his misery.
Despite being a man down, Czechia reorganized into a defensive 5-3-1 formation. They almost took the lead before halftime when Jurasek found himself one-on-one with Gunok, only for the Turkish keeper to make a vital save.
Second Half: Goals and Grit
Vincenzo Montella, the Turkish coach, made a tactical switch at halftime, bringing on Ayhan for the booked Ozcan. Czechia adopted a more cautious approach, pressing only in their own half.
Turkey’s persistence paid off in the 51st minute. After a sequence of blocked shots and a fantastic save by Stanek, Hakan Çalhanoglu pounced on a loose ball at the edge of the area and unleashed a powerful shot into the net, showcasing his exceptional technique.
Czechia, however, showed resilience. They equalized in the 66th minute bizarrely. A long throw-in caused chaos in the Turkish box, and after Gunok fumbled, Hranac’s initial shot was cleared off the line only for Soucek to smash in the rebound.
Late Drama and Turkish Triumph
The match looked to be heading for a draw until substitute Cenk Tosun scored a late winner. The goal was set up by Benfica’s Orkun Kokçu, whose precise pass found Tosun in the right spot to secure the win for Turkey.
Meanwhile, Georgia’s stunning 2-0 victory over Portugal in Frankfurt meant that Czechia, despite their valiant effort, ended at the bottom of Group F with two points, while Georgia achieved a historic progression to the knockout stages.
Key Player: Hakan Çalhanoglu
Hakan Çalhanoglu was the standout performer for Turkey. His crucial goal demonstrated his shooting prowess and composure under pressure, vital qualities that helped his team secure the win.