Croatia Edges Past Czechia After Late VAR Drama

Croatia held on to defeat Czechia two goals to one following a dramatic late phase that included a disallowed equalizer. Matej Radosta thought he had leveled the score for Czechia late in the match, but the goal was overturned after a video assistant referee review kept the score at two to one in favour of Croatia. The frantic final minutes saw five minutes of added time announced by the fourth official. Lukás Hornícek kept Czechia in the game earlier by saving a left-footed shot from Ante Budimir in the centre of the box. Luka Vuskovic also came close for Croatia with a header from very close range that was blocked, following a cross by Ivan Perisic. Both teams made late tactical changes as Croatia brought on Nikola Vlasic to replace Petar Sucic, while Czechia introduced Václav Sejk for Pavel Sulc and Ondrej Zmrzly for Jirí Sláma. Alex Král received a yellow card for a bad foul late in the game, shortly before winning a free kick in the defensive half.