Czech Republic Edges Past North Macedonia with Late Penalty Drama

The Czech Republic secured a 2-1 victory over North Macedonia in their final warm-up for Euro 2024, thanks to two second-half penalties. Despite multiple changes in the squad, penalties from Patrik Schick and Antonin Barak sealed the win. The Czechs begin their Euro campaign against Portugal on June 18.

The Czech Republic laboured to a 2-1 win over North Macedonia with two second-half penalties on Monday in their final tune-up for Euro 2024 as the hosts rarely threatened a team that failed to qualify for the tournament in Germany. Czech coach Ivan Hasek made nine changes from the 7-1 win over Malta on Friday, fielding a likely starting team for the Euros with midfielder Tomas Soucek and forward Patrik Schick.

The Czechs struck first on the hour when Schick converted a penalty after a foul on Soucek. Isnik Alimi levelled five minutes later when he headed home a rebound off the post before Antonin Barak notched the winning penalty in added time. The Czechs, who will go to Germany without Michal Sadilek after the Twente Enschede midfielder injured himself on a tricycle at the weekend, start their Euro campaign on June 18 against Portugal in Leipzig before facing Georgia and Turkey.