Ten-man Holland are dumped out by Czech Republic

Here’s some flattering hindsight for England. The team they defeated 1-0 to top their group turn out to be formidable, rapier-sharp opponents after all. The bad news? Those Czechs are lurking on England’s side of the draw. The Czech Republic will believe they have momentum and menace as they enter the quarter-finals.

It was against a ten-man Holland when a tight contest swung the way of the Czechs, Matthijs de Ligt having been sent off for handball when he was the last defender up against Patrik Schick early in the second half. The Czechs, who had begun to exert control up until then, capitalised efficiently, a headed goal from a set piece from Tomas Holes putting them ahead, and the same man capping an excellent