The Czech Republic had to play the majority of the game with 10 men after Antonin Barak’s sending off and were knocked out after a 2-1 defeat.
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In a feisty game, Turkey secured progression to the last 16, thanks in large part to a card-happy refereeing performance.
The Czechs came into the game acutely aware that nothing other than a win would do but they were dealt a bitter blow in the 20th minute, as Antonin Barak was sent off for a second yellow card. His second challenge saw him attempt to play the ball and inadvertently make contact with his opponent’s foot, with the referee harshly giving him his marching orders.
Despite being down to 10 men, the Czechs actually had the best chance of the half, as David Jurasek burst beyond the Turkish backline and forced a good save from Mert Gunok.
But Turkey emerged with a renewed purpose and took the lead six minutes after the restart, as Hakan Calhanoglu fired a brilliant low effort into the bottom corner, after Jindrick Stanek had made a brilliant save. In the process of doing so, he appeared to dislocate his shoulder and was substituted.
Turkey should have had a second after the hour mark but Arda Guler could not get on the end of a superb cut-back and within 60 seconds, the Czechs were level, as Tomas Soucek pounced on some terrible goalkeeping from Gunok to equalise.
There was some hope, as a result, of a grandstand finish that could have seen Turkey eliminated but instead, Cenk Tosun scored in injury time to seal Turkey’s victory and their progression.
After the full-time both teams clashed, and another red card was brandished, although it was to Tomas Chory, a Czech player, so it will have no impact on the knockout stages.
