Czech Republic 0-2 Spain: Pubill seals win after Krejčí red card

Spain beat Czech Republic 2-0 in Prague on Thursday night, with Álex Baena’s first-half penalty and a stoppage-time Marc Pubill goal sealing the win.

The game was decided by a VAR-reviewed red card for Czech captain Ladislav Krejčí, who was sent off for a last-man challenge. The result takes the world champions to 15 points from five games in Group A3, while the hosts are still waiting for their first point.

La Roja arrived in Prague already assured of a place in the quarter-finals, having won all four of their opening games.

Luis de la Fuente rotated heavily with Sunday’s showdown against England in mind. Rodri Hernández, Dani Olmo, Eric García, Lamine Yamal and Mikel Oyarzabal were all unavailable. That gave Martín Zubimendi a start alongside Fabián Ruiz in midfield.

The Spaniards dominated from the first whistle, finishing with 70 per cent possession and 22 shots, five of them on target. The Czechs managed 30 per cent possession and 13 shots, but none of them tested goalkeeper Unai Simón.

Pau Cubarsí hit the post before La Roja finally broke through in the 39th minute. The hosts, managed by Spaniard Santi Denia, sat deep and looked to hit on the break through Adam Hložek, who had assisted both of their goals in the competition.

The breakthrough came when Lukáš Ambros deliberately controlled the ball with his arm inside the area.

Referee Nikola Dabanović was sent to the monitor by VAR, and after reviewing the incident, he pointed to the spot because the handball was a deliberate act. Baena stepped up and converted calmly with his right foot to make it 1-0. Ruiz then hit the bar after Spain went in front. Spain thought they had doubled their lead after the break when Simón launched a long ball for Yeremy Pino, who slotted into the corner. However, the goal was checked by VAR and correctly ruled out for offside.

The Czechs responded almost instantly in the 51st minute when a long throw was flicked on, but David Zima poked the chance over the bar. Later, in the 55th minute, Lukáš Provod’s deflected shot looped over Simón and landed just past the right post. Krejčí caused Spain problems throughout with his crosses and long throws.

The hosts came closest when Vladimír Coufal’s free kick found Hložek, whose flicked header came back off the crossbar. The turning point came in the 72nd minute, when Krejčí challenged substitute Roberto Fernández and was initially shown only a yellow card. Mikel Merino was furious at the decision and was booked for dissent. After a VAR check, the card was upgraded to a red, as Krejčí was the last man.

Spain became far more comfortable from that point. In stoppage time, Fernández failed to get the ball out from under his feet and shot straight at Matěj Kovář. Moments later, he hit the post, and the Spaniards still could not find a second. Pubill then won the ball back high up the pitch after the Czechs struggled to play out from the back. He beat Kovář at his near post in the 96th minute to seal the win.

Spain are already through to the quarter-finals, and they now host England on Sunday 15 November. England sit second with 12 points but have a superior goal difference, so Sunday’s game could decide the group. The Czechs, still without a point, travel to Croatia the same day; Croatia sit third in the group.