translated from Spanish: Croatia drew 1-1 with Czech Republic and saved from a premature goodbye

Croatia, disorderly and thick and almost always inferior, managed to stay breathless in the European Championship after avoiding another defeat, in Glasgow against the Czech Republic, and will be able to hurry their qualification options on the last day against Scotland.Ivan Perisic’s goal at the start of the second half prevented a presumed premature goodbye from the Balkan team , a far cry from the ambition and version he offered in the past World Cup in Russia, where he was runner-up. The Czech Republic, who came closest to victory and were ahead thanks to another goal from Patrik Schick, have one foot in the playoffs with their third game to play England. The narrow margin of error left by the defeat to England encouraged Croatia to step up in their approach. In addition to Dejan Lovren’s return to centre-back, in place of Marseille defender Duje Caleta-Car, to complete the traditional duo with Domagoj Vida, Zlatko Dalic dispensed in midfield from Inter midfielder Marcelo Brozovic to look for more depth with Wolfsburg player Marcelo Brozovic. A more offensive staging that was not reflected in the first half. Less pressured faced the clash their rival, who already had three points after beating Scotland. Only one variation determined Jaroslav Silhavy who started Tomas Holes in place of Spartak Moscow midfielder Alex Kral, a change he already made during the course of the first match, against Escocia.La Czech Republic took control of the match. Higher speed, more order. Croatia gave the feeling of not understanding the start of the match. He could not get hold of the ball against an opponent with the highest revolutions. Despite this, the mistakes and indecisiveness of Silhavy’s team in the rearguard caused dangerous situations and chances for Croatia.The match gave a shock after the hour of play. The fight for an aerial ball inside the Croatian area led to an elbow from Lovren to Patrik Schick that ended with blood on his face and a VAR warning to Spanish referee Carlos Del Cerro Grande who checked the scene on the monitor and pointed to a penalty. It was bayer leverkusen striker who executed from eleven yards out. He did not fail, put the Czech Republic ahead and raised the goals scored so far this tournament to three. Just then, in a Balkan outburon, Ante Rebic had the equaliser. It was the Croatian response. He received a ball from Josip Brekalo and faced Tomas Vaclik but his shot was deflected. Dalic reacted and at the intermission turned to two Dinamo Zagreb players to try to make amends. Luka Ivanusec and Bruno Petkovic took the field. Two minutes into the second half Croatia found the equalizer. Andrej Kramaric quickly drew a foul on Ivan Perisic who went into the area and crossed the ball out of reach of Tomas Vaclik. The party took on another air. The mourning was encouraged. The Czechs did not give up the win and took the initiative despite the needs of their rival who also put one more gear to their game. Nikola Vlasic first and Bruno Petkovic in the final stretch, wasted good chances to level the score. It also threatened the Czech Republic which proposed the armistice which Croatia accepted. The final tie leaves the future open for both. The Czechs, with four points, envision an eighth that Croatia aims to reach in their last match, against Scotland.- Technical sheet:1 – Croatia: Dominik Livakovic; Sime Vrsaljko, Dejan Lovren, Domagoj Vida, Josko Gvardiol; Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic (Marcelo Brozovic, m.87); Ivan Perisic, Andrej Kramaric (Nikola Vlasic, m.62), Josip Brekalo (Luka Ivanusec, m.46); and Ante Rebic (Bruno Petkovic, m.46). Head coach: Zlatko Dalic1 – Czech Republic: Tomas Vaclik; Vladimir Coufal, Tomas Kalas, Ondrej Celustka, Jan Boril; Tomas Holes (Alex Kral, m.63), Tomas Soucek; Lukas Masopust (Adam Hlozek, m.63), Vladimir Darida (Antonin Barak, m.87), Jakub Jankto (Petr Sevcik, m.74); and Patrik Schick (Michael Krmencik, m.75). Coach: Jaroslav SilhavyGoles: 0-1, m.38: Patrik Schick, penalty. 1-1, m.47: Ivan Perisic.Referee: Carlos Del Cerro Grande, Spain. He showed yellow cards to Dejan Lovren of Croatia and lukas Masopust and Jan Boril of the Czech Republic.

Original source in Spanish