Tactical Analysis: Czech Republic vs. England

England and Czech Republic met at Wembley Stadium on Tuesday evening to decide top spot in Group D after both teams had already secured qualification by means of results elsewhere. The two sides met in their qualifying group for the tournament, with England winning the first meeting 5-0 before losing 2-1 in the corresponding fixture. 

With both sides looking to secure their specific spots in the Round of 16, it was England who started the brighter of the two sides. Luke Shaw’s early lofted ball in the 2nd minute found Raheem Sterling, who had snuck behind the Czech’s backline, but the Man City man could only watch as his ball lofted over the goalkeeper struck the post. Nevertheless, it wouldn’t take long for the home side to take the lead at Wembley.

Teenage sensation Bukayo Saka’s individual brilliance started the move, leading to Jack Grealish’s cross being met by the head of Raheem Sterling. It was Sterling’s 2nd goal of the tournament and just the start England were hoping for. England went close to doubling their lead just before the half-hour mark as Harry Maguire broke the lines with a brilliant ball to the feet of Harry Kane, who cut in on his right foot but was thwarted by the strong hand of Tomas Vaclik.

Czech Republic responded well to going a goal down and tested Jordan Pickford with a long-range effort from Tomas Holes, but the goalkeeper managed to tip it round the post for a corner. Moments later, England faced another scare as the ball bounced around the box but Maguire threw his body in front of Tomas Kalas’ effort. The second half was a lot of ball movement but very little done with it from either side as England cruised quite comfortably to a 1-0 win.