Euro 2020 Qualifiers: England's 10 years Unbeaten Run in Qualifiers 'WIND-UP' after Czech's Resurrection - Czech 2 - 1 England

They were second best throughout with problems in central midfield and defence rearing their head again.

Euro 2020 Qualifiers: England's 10 years Unbeaten Run in Qualifiers 'WIND-UP' after Czech's Resurrection - Czech 2 - 1 England
Jordan Henderson, England

Czech Republic came from a goal down to end England’s unbeaten run in the Euro 2020 Qualifiers on Friday night at Prague.

The three Lions have lost a European Championship/World Cup qualifying match for the first time since October 10th 2009 ending a sequence of 43 qualifying matches unbeaten

 

 

Gareth Southgate made three changes from the win over Kosovo with Mason Mount making his first start for his country at the expense of Ross Barkley. There was also a return for Kieran Trippier after being left out of the last squad getting the nod over Trent Alexander-Arnold. Danny Rose also started ahead of Ben Chilwell as there was no Callum Wilson in the squad. He was sent home after suffering with illness. 

 

 

The thumping of Kosovo meant that England were unbeaten in their last 43 qualifying matches (Euros and World Cup). The three Lions were also unbeaten in their last 22 European qualifying games (W19, D3), winning the last 14 in a row.

 

 

It was a scintillating start from the three Lions in the 4-minute when the referee awarded them a penalty. The Czechs defended high and Sterling zipped in behind. He drove in on goal but checked back with a brilliant change of direction. Masopust lazily left a leg dangled and caught Sterling.

Kane made no mistake after missing his last spot-kick against Kosovo.

 

 

The England captain got the perfect start and hit the ball straight at the center to let the keeper fall on the left.

 

 

Czech replied four minutes later in the midst of a crowdy English men at the back. Masopust stinged the hands of Pickford with a rasping drive from 20 yards - that effort was pushed around the post but the Czechs struck from the corner. Celustka won the first ball from the set-piece and his centre-back partner Brabec was on hand from six yards to poke home his first international goal. 

 

 

The home side were aggressive and comfortable on the ball. They tried sedating the game for a progressive outbreak but England made them uneasy to trend in their half.

Gareth Southgate’s side did not look comfortable without the ball in their formation, which saw Mount play almost up with Kane and Sancho and Sterling staying wide. It was almost a 4-2-4, a very attacking minded. Rose was put under heaviness by the Czechs dealing with their threat, which mainly came down the hosts' right. 

 

 

 

Sterling squandered an England chance in the 32-minute. The City winger gave away a needless foul down the right. The Czechs filled the box. Unsurprisingly, they won the first ball and Celustka guided a header on target from 15 yards but Pickford got down to make an easy save.

 

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The first half ended with England lucky to still be on level pegging. The front four had no service with Mount anonymous. It was only the second time in England's last 78 matches they've faced 10+ shots in the first-half of a match

After countless of pressing by the home side and a sloppy approach by England in the second half, substitute, Ondrasek scored in the 84-minute.

 

 

Rose lost an aerial challenge and the Czechs sprung into life. The build-up play was good from Masopust and he found the cut back for the striker, who slided one home from 12 yards to put an end to England's 43-game unbeaten run in qualifying matches.