Czech Republic book their place at Euro 2024 despite three players being sent home for partying… as 3-0 defeat finally ends plucky minnows Moldova’s hopes
- The Czech Republic beat 10-man Moldova 3-0 to qualify for Euro 2024
- Three Czech players were sent home before the game after visiting a nightclub
- Trent and Bellingham can play together but can’t get in each other’s way – IAKO
The Czech Republic beat 10-man Moldova 3-0 to qualify for Euro 2024 after Tomas Chory scored and provided an assist on his international debut in the Group E clash on Monday.
The Czechs played without full back Vladimir Coufal, central defender Jakub Brabec and forward Jan Kuchta, who were sent home for violating team rules after being photographed in a nightclub before the match.
Czech news outlet iSport detailed how the trio – along with Czech football association executive Tomas Neumann – partied at the Belmondo nightclub until the early hours.
iSport said they were drinking alcohol with photographs and videos emerging which showed Coufal, Kuchta and Brabec in the nightclub.
They partied alongside amateur footballers from the area who were celebrating the end of their season.
West Ham star and Czech captain Tomas Soucek celebrate qualification for Euro 2024
David Doudera slotted the ball past onrushing goalkeeper Dorian Railean for opening goal
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A video circulated on social media appeared to show Brabec walking out into a road before being guided back to the pavement.
All three started Friday’s 1-1 draw in Poland.
Jaroslav Silhavy’s side struck early when Chory picked out David Doudera racing down the left flank and the defender latched onto the ball before slotting past onrushing goalkeeper Dorian Railean in the 14th minute.
Viktoria Plzen’s Chory, playing in his hometown, powered home a header from Vasil Kusej’s corner in the 72nd before captain Tomas Soucek got the third goal just before the end.
Moldova, who had defender Vladislav Baboglo sent off 10 minutes after half-time for a second yellow card, posed problems for the Czechs early on but lacked a clinical finish.
The fifth-worst team in Europe had been just one win away from clinching qualification for Euro 2024.
Tomas Chory powered home a header from Vasil Kusej’s corner in the 72nd minute
Ranked as the 157th side in the world by FIFA, the team is only ahead of Malta, Andorra, San Marino and Liechtenstein in UEFA’s Nations League rankings.
And yet, despite winning just two of their Euro 2024 qualifiers so far and averaging just one goal per game, Moldova could still have qualified for its first major tournament with a win on Monday night.
But the defeat ended their dream.
The Czech victory means the 1996 runners-up will play in their eighth successive Euros after finishing second, level on 15 points with Albania who have a better head-to-head record.
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