Turkish hero Tosun sends Turkey to Euro 2024 knockout stages
Cenk Tosun's dramatic stoppage-time winner sends Turkey through to the round of 16 at Euro 2024 with a 3-2 victory over Czech Republic in their final Group A match.
Substitute Cenk Tosun scored a 90th-minute winner to complete a dramatic fightback for Turkey as they edged past 10-man Czech Republic 3-2 to claim second spot in Euro 2024 Group A on Sunday.
Turkey, holding a 2-1 lead with nine minutes remaining, appeared to be heading out of the tournament when Czech substitute David Pavelka equalised in the 81st minute.
However, Tosun, who came on in the 71st minute, had the final say when he latched on to a long pass by Caglar Soyuncu and fired home a low shot. Turkey will face Austria in the last 16, while Czech Republic are eliminated.
The victory was a deserved one for a determined Turkey side, who were the better team throughout but were made to work hard for it by their spirited opponents.
Turkey started brightly and took the lead through a Burak Yilmaz penalty in the 13th minute after Ondrej Kudela was adjudged to have fouled Kerem Akturkoglu.
Czech Republic hit back quickly, though, with Jakub Jankto firing home a superb equaliser from outside the box just three minutes later.
The match was then evenly balanced, with both sides having chances to take the lead before the break.
Turkey were the stronger side after the interval and eventually regained the lead through Hakan Calhanoglu in the 70th minute.
The match looked to be heading for a draw when Pavelka equalised, but Tosun's late winner sent Turkey into raptures and left the Czech Republic heartbroken.
Turkey will now face Austria in the last 16, while Czech Republic are eliminated. It is a disappointing end to the tournament for the Czechs, who had impressed in their opening two matches. Turkey, meanwhile, will be full of confidence going into the knockout stages.
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