Turkey set up last-16 clash with Austria, send Czechs home

HAMBURG, Germany :Turkey overcame spirited resistance from 10-man Czech Republic in a 2-1 victory on Wednesday with goals from Hakan Calhanoglu and Cenk Tosun to set up a Euro 2024 last-16 clash with Austria and send their opponents home.

The Czechs, quarter-finalists at the last European Championship, needed victory to stand any chance of advancing, but the 20th-minute dismissal of midfielder Antonin Barak for a harsh second yellow card was a blow to their attacking intent.

In a chaotic and heated end to the game, Czech Republic's Tomas Chory was also given a red card in a melee seconds before the final whistle. As well as the two reds, the referee also showed 16 yellow cards to set a new Euros disciplinary record.

Both teams pressed hard from the start in a raucous atmosphere on a hot night, Turkish fans marching to the game and outnumbering the Czechs thanks to their huge diaspora in Germany.

Thirty-year-old playmaker Calhanoglu's 50th-minute goal was a first at his third Euros, triggering flares and delirium from fans. He scored with a low shot across goalkeeper Jindrich Stanek who had appeared to hurt his shoulder with a save just before and went off injured after the goal.

Teenager Arda Guler inexplicably missed a close-range sitter to put Turkey two ahead and the Czechs immediately equalised, Tomas Soucek prodding home in the 66th minute after a long throw caused chaos to set up a thrilling finale.

TURKISH JOY

Tosun struck Turkey's winner in stoppage time, sparking wild scenes on his bench and among Turkish fans. The result banished the Turks' dark memories of Euro 2020 where they went home after conceding eight goals in three defeats.

"We all fought very well together," said defender Mert Muldur. "We had a hard time