CZECH MATE
Georgia 1 Czech Republic 1: Both nations on brink of Euro 2024 group stage KO after unwanted stalemate
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PATRICK SCHICK wrote his name into his country’s record books with a second half equaliser.
The Bayer Leverkusen forward’s slightly fortunate effort means he now has six goals for the Czech Republic at the Euro finals – more than any other player in history.
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Yet a point leaves both of these nations needing a win in their final group game next week to have any chance of reaching the knock-out stages.
Schick and his team-mates will be kicking themselves if they are on the plane home next Thursday as this was a game they should have won.
Georgia were grateful to keeper Giorgi Mamardashvili for early saves to deny Adam Hlozek and Patrick Schick.
Just before the half hour, a long throw from the right again caused problems and this one reached Hlozek.
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His effort rebounded off Mamardashvili and struck him in the face and then arm before bobbling into the net.
It would have surely been the scruffiest goal of the tournament had the VAR not spotted the handball and disallowed it.
Georgia had looked a threat on the break but struggled to create much until right on the stroke of half-time when star man Kvicha Kvaratskheila whipped over a free-kick.
It fell to Guram Kashia who wasted a golden chance by shooting straight at the keeper – but all was not lost.
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The VAR had spotted the ball struck the outstretched arm of Robin Hranac – who has had a nightmare tournament so far – and the referee had little option but to give the penalty.
Georges Mikautadze slotted home his second goal of the tournament with the minimum of fuss.
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Even then, the Czechs could have been level seconds later, but Mamardashvili saved brilliantly to deny Schick.
Yet just before the hour mark, they did get back on terms as sub Ondrej Lingr met a corner and flashed a header against the post.
Schick didn’t know much about it but the ball bounced off his chest and dropped over the line.
He was off soon afterwards with a calf injury which makes him a doubt for the final group game against Turkey.
Lingr could have won it for the Czechs but his effort was pushed away by Mamardashvili as they threw everything forward.
With the last attack of the game they were almost caught as Georgia broke away but sub Saba Lobjanidze lifted his effort against the top of the bar.
Georgia had their first point at the Euro finals - but it could have been more.
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