National Team Friendly

National stadium
Spectators: 10300 (Terracing: 7725, Seating: 2369, VIP seats: 206) 4 minutes into the match, Roy Makaay dribbled the ball past the defender and swiftly kicked the ball to the left of Pavel Hanka, 1-0. With a little luck, Czech Republic's Pavel Hanka got control of the ball when Roy Makaay tried to sneak it across the goal line. Marko Livaja came free with the goalkeeper in the 9th minute of the match, and shot straight on target. The shot was a little too simple and Pavel Hanka could save by the left post. Nebojša Jerić showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Robert Šedina in the 10th minute of the match. In the 20th minute, Roy Makaay got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. The supporters of Czech Republic booed when Croatia was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 22 match minutes in a wonderful position. Harry Maguire didn't get a good kick on the ball. A sloppy throw-in by Harry Maguire in the 25th minute of the game went astray and was snapped up by Czech Republic's Václav Hoch. Pavel Hanka made an important save on a dangerous shot by Roy Makaay in the 32nd minute. Czech Republic's Pavel Hanka proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 34th minute of the match, managed to save Czech Republic from getting a goal against them. Roy Makaays short, quick shot in the 35thth minute got Pavel Hanka to make great effort and bar the ball away from getting in. Václav Hoch kicked well hit freekick during the 38th minute of the match. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Jan Pacák during the 42nd minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. A collision led to Czech Republic getting a freekick after 42 minutes play. Jan Pacák hit a great ball. When the referee blew for the end of the half the home team players were clearly happier, as they went in to the break leading 1-0.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Robert Šedina made a kick off. The audience was convinced that Roy Makaay's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Pavel Hanka was relentless in the 53rd minute of the game. Gerard Pique made in the 55th minute of the game a quick throw-in and Nikola Vlašić immediately put the ball in play. An unexpectedly hard shot by Roy Makaay in the 56th minute of play forced Czech Republic's goalkeeper Pavel Hanka to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Croatia made a substitution. Silvio Ham replaced Luka Mata. In the 61st match minute, Czech Republic was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Jan Drlík to maneuver through the defense. After a defensive mix-up in Croatia's zone, Robert Šedina stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Nebojša Jerić came out of the goal and Robert Šedina tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Czech Republic's Tomáš Velíšek was substituted for Jan Plocek. If Robert Šedina had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 75th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. 88 minutes into the game, Czech Republic's Robert Šedina nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Nebojša Jerić made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 1-3. The referee blew the final whistle, and the away crowd roared, having watched Czech Republic eke out a victory against a very well matched opponent.