Czech Republic 2-1 Latvia
 
Tuesday 15 June 2004
5.00- Aveiro
 
Two goals in the last 17 minutes gave the much-fancied Czech Republic a narrow win against unheralded Latvia in a pulsating UEFA EURO 2004™ Group D encounter in Aveiro.

Pressure rewarded
Maris Verpakovskis gave the Baltic nation a shock lead just before half-time, but Liverpool FC striker Milan Baroš came up with a 73rd-minute leveller and substitute Marek Heinz grabbed an opportunist winner that was reward for ceaseless second-half pressure from Karel Brückner's side against the spirited underdogs.

Lobanovs trusted
Brückner was able to field his preferred starting lineup, while his opposite number Aleksandrs Starkovs placed his faith in Valentins Lobanovs in the important holding role in front of the Latvian defence, which was expecting plenty of work against the 1996 runners-up.

Persistent pressure
The more persistent early pressure came from the Czechs, and Marek Jankulovski fired a cross-shot inches wide when he was put into space by the livewire Pavel Nedved. Latvian goalkeeper Aleksandrs Kolinko then clawed away another teasing Nedved cross as Latvia were increasingly pushed back as the quarter-hour approached.

No breakthrough
Latvia looked enterprising when they broke out, and a Prohorenkovs cross from the right just evaded the diving Maris Verpakovskis in the Czech Republic area. At the other end, Baroš volleyed past the post for the Czechs before Andrejs Rubins headed wide for Latvia as both sides sought the breakthrough.

Nedved denied
Another promising period for the Czechs followed, René Bolf heading over and 32-year-old Karel Poborský skimming the crossbar from long range. Predictably the Czechs, prompted by the cunning Nedved, who saw a shot deflected wide as the half-hour mark approached, were seeing more of the ball. But Latvia were matching them for commitment with gutsy defending and the occasional dangerous counter.

Surprise lead
The first half wore on with Poborský and Nedved having shots blocked in the area. The Czechs had dominated possession, but were then shocked right on the interval when Latvia went ahead. Prohorenkovs thundered clear on the left before firing in a low cross, and Verpakovskis was left free to poke the ball in from close range and give the Baltic outsiders a suprise lead.

Classy Kolinko
The Czechs had been stung at a crucial psychological moment, and came out for the second half determined to find a way back into the game and prevent a shock defeat. However, the Latvians were getting bodies behind the ball to protect their unexpected advantage. It took the Czechs until the 53rd minute to create an opportunity, but Kolinko dived to save Nedved's deflected 20-metre drive.

Inspired substitution
Brückner made a substitution to pep up his ailing side, Marek Heinz replacing right-back Zdenek Grygera after 56 minutes to give greater attacking variety from midfield, and Poborsky almost brought the Czech Republic level with a stinging drive that few just past the woodwork soon afterwards.

Missed opportunities
The unmarked Baroš should have equalised just after the hour, when he seemed certain to score from Poborský's right-wing cross, but the Liverpool striker inexplicably missed the target with his shot. Kolinko saved again from Baroš and Brückner brought on forward Vladimir Šmicer for Tomas Galasek. But still Latvia clung on, Kolinko pushing aside a screaming Nedved volley.

Latvia crumble
The Czechs poured forward, and the Latvian rearguard finally crumbled under the onslaught with 17 minutes left. They failed to clear in a goalmouth scramble, and Baroš was relieved to hammer the ball in from ten metres. By now, Latvia were looking a tired side, and they succumbed again with just five minutes left, Heinz volleying through to break the Latvians' hearts. .

Czech Republic Goals: Baroš 73, Heinz 85
 
Latvia Goals: Verpakovskis 45
 
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