The Czech Republic sustained early bouts of pressure from home side Scotland in their first Euro 2020 match. The visitors only started growing into the game after the first ten minutes following a frantic start from the home side in front of a raucous Hampden Park.

“We expected them to push from the beginning but we managed that,” head coach Jaroslab Silhavy told the media. “We defended very well and when they got behind our lines, it was saved by our goalie.”

However, Czech Republic’s patience paid off soon. Star striker Patrick Schick found the back of the net with a delightful glancing header from a corner kick. The fact that it arrived just a few minutes before half-time gave the visitors an even bigger advantage.

The moment that made the headlines and gave Czech Republic a comfortable advantage against Scotland arrived in the second half. An inspired Patrik Schick found himself in acres of space on the counter with the goalkeeper off his line. But instead of trying to race through on goal, Schick let one fly from 45 metres. His perfect shot was laden with just the right amount of power, lift, and swerve and it floated and dipped into the Scottish net and goalkeeper Marshall could do nothing about it. Schick’s effort was the furthest distance from which a goal was scored in the history of the European Championship.

Silhavy singled out this sensational goal from Schick and it turned out to be the difference between the two sides. Calling it other-worldly, the head coach revealed that ace forward Schick has attempted efforts like those before in matches as well as in training.

“We know he is a genius and he knows how to finish,” Silhavy said. “The second goal was something out of this world. He likes to try that in training and he tried it in one of our previous games as well.”

The 2-0 win over Scotland saw Czech Republic going level on top with England and both the sides have three points to their name in Group D. England beat Croatia 1-0 earlier and Scotland who now have to face England and Croatia in their next two matches will be reeling under pressure having failed to win in their first match.

Silhavy said that the win has relieved the pressure from the Czech camp who can prepare with the comfort of the knowledge that a draw in their next two matches will send them to the knockout stages.

“I’m not saying we have it in the bag but we only need to make one more step to get out of the group,” Silhavy said.