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Scotland vs Czech Republic
The last of the Matchday 1 fixtures will be played this coming midweek and the second Group D clash will feature Scotland and Czech Republich at Hampden Park in a lunch-time kick-off on Monday.
Scotland needed to take the more scenic route to make it to UEFA Euro 2020, but they did manage to prevail through the playoffs stage of the qualification process. The Tartan Army have been in fine nick in 2021 and are unbeaten in their five games so far this year, producing solid displays against Netherlands and Austria while also beating Luxembourg 1-0 in their most recent games.
Czech Republic, on the other hand, claimed an automatic qualification berth after finishing runners-up in their group behind England. The Narodak have now been reunited in the group stage with the Three Lions again, in what is a tricky group for them. Jaroslav Silhavy & co. have not been in the best run of form heading into the Euro, although they did win their most recent game (3-1 against Albania).
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Scotland Team News
Steve Clark has not made many alterations to the squad he had picked in the first international break of the year and has retained his core for UEFA Euro 2020. The notable absentees for Scotland are Liam Palmer, Kenny McLean and Oliver McBurnie.
Meanwhile, the likes of Billy Gilmour, David Turnbull and Nathan Patterson have all received their maiden call-ups to the national side and are a part of [the 26-man squad. Clarke ought to set his team up in a 3-5-2 formation, with veteran goalkeeper David Marshall taking his place between the sticks.
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Czech Republic Team News
Like his counterpart in the Scotland dugout, Jaroslav Silhavy has not thrown up many surprises when selecting his squad for UEFA Euro 2020. However, the Czech Republic head coach has been forced to make one late change, with Jiri Pavlenka withdrawing due to a back injury.
In place of the 29-year-old goalkeeper, Tomas Koubek has been drafted in to be the third goalkeeper in the squad. Pavlenka’s injury means Tomas Vaclik is almost a certainty to start in goal for Czech Republic, who will likely be set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation against Scotland.
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Today’s encounter will be the 10th meeting between Scotland and Czech Republic. In the nine previous clashes, the two sides have won four games each, with the remaining game ending in a 2-2 draw.
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Scotland’s record at Hampden Park is W135 D63 L60. They are unbeaten in their last six games there (W4 D2), since a 4-0 Euro qualifying loss to Belgium on 9 September 2019 that was their fifth defeat in eight matches at the ground (W3).
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SCOTLAND
Group D fixtures
14/06: Scotland vs Czech Republic (Glasgow)
18/06: England vs Scotland (London)
22/06: Croatia vs Scotland (Glasgow)
Qualifying
Group I record: P10 W5 D0 L5 F16 A19
Play-offs: Israel (h) 0-0, 5-3 pens; Serbia (a) 1-1, 5-4 pens
Qualifying top scorer: John McGinn (7)
Pedigree
UEFA EURO best: group stage (1992, 1996)
UEFA EURO 2016: did not qualify
Coach: Steve Clarke
The former Chelsea player started his coaching life as Ruud Gullit’s assistant at Newcastle United in 1998. He took the Scotland helm in May 2019 after a fruitful tenure at Kilmarnock.
Key player: John McGinn
An old-fashioned Scottish midfielder, McGinn is a quality player who brings more to the side than his ability to tackle and pass. His enthusiasm and tenacity drive the team on, and the Aston Villa man is also a threat when he gets into the opposition box.
One to watch: Billy Gilmour
The Scottish public are hugely excited by the Chelsea midfielder’s cameo appearances in the pre-tournament friendlies against the Netherlands and Luxembourg. Clarke may be tempted to start the young playmaker, but more likely he will be kept in reserve; expect him to make an impact when he gets the opportunity.
Did you know?
Scotland also faced England at Wembley at their last EURO finals in 1996.
CZECH REPUBLIC
Group D fixtures
14/06: Scotland vs Czech Republic (Glasgow)
18/06: Croatia vs Czech Republic (Glasgow)
22/06: Czech Republic vs England (London)
Qualifying
Group A record: P8 W5 D0 L3 F13 A11
Qualifying top scorer: Patrik Schick (4)
Pedigree
UEFA EURO best: winners (1976, as Czechoslovakia)
UEFA EURO 2016: group stage
Coach: Jaroslav Šilhavý
Holder of the record for most Czech top-flight appearances (465), the 59-year-old won two titles as coach before taking the Czech reins in September 2018.
Key player: Vladimír Darida
All-action midfielder who plies his trade at Hertha Berlin, he leads by example and inspired the surprise qualifying victory over England.
One to watch: Tomáš Souček
The beating heart of the Czech midfield redefines what it means to have “good feet for a big man”. Czech player of season in 2018/19, voted No1 by journalists in 2020, and starred for West Ham in 2020/21, contributing ten goals.
Did you know?
Czech Republic are ever-present at the UEFA European Championship as an independent nation, reaching seven successive final tournaments.
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HT | Czechia lead 1:0!
It was a closely contested first half in Glasgow, as both teams had their chances, with Czech Republic going in front just before the break through Patrick Schick’s header.
Scotland now have a tough task ahead - can they get back into this one? 
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9 - Patrik Schick has been directly involved in nine goals in his last nine starts for Czech Republic in all competitions (7 goals, 2 assists). Towering.
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Patrick Schick vs. SCO :
43 touches
6 duels won
6 shots
5 shots on target
3 tackles
2 goals
What a strike! 
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Despite Scotland’s loss, Andy Robertson had an impressive match today:
80 touches
6 key passes (most)
7/15 acc. crosses (most)
34/45 acc. passes
3/4 succ. dribbles (most)
5/8 duels won
2 clearances
7.9 SofaScore rating
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Two-goal Czech Republic hero Patrik Schick takes the plaudits after his display & unforgettable second goal in Glasgow 
Did you see that coming?
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What a goal! 
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Wojciech Szczęsny’s own goal against Slovakia after 18 minutes is the earliest own goal in European Championship history.
No luck at all. 
Slovakia are ahead against Poland!
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