EURO 2020: Croatia Draw 1-1 Against Czezh Republic

 Euro 2020: Croatia Draw 1-1 Against Czech Republic To Keep Round Of 16 Hopes Alive

Image:Czech Republic's Patrik Schick, left, celebrates after scoring his side's first goal from the penalty spot against Croatia

Euro 2020: Ivan Perisic scored the equaliser against Czech Republic as Croatia managed to keep their hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages ali

Schick then had orious chance from Coufal's cut-back, but from a tenth of the distance from where he scored four days ago, he failed to make a sweet connection and Dominik Livakovic easily saved.

Croatia upset Argentina and England on their road to the final in Russia three years ago, but have looked a pale imitation of that side so far this tournament without Ivan Rakitic and Mario Mandzukic, who have retired from international football.

The ageing Luka Modric and Perisic remain their nation's biggest threats and a well-worked corner between the pair found the Inter Milan winger, but his shot was too close to Tomas Vaclik.

Dejan Lovren had been recalled by Zlatko Dalic in two changes from a 1-0 defeat by England on Sunday, but the former Liverpool centre-back was penalised in highly controversial circumstances to gift the Czechs the opening goal.

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The Bayer Leverkusen forward was left with a bloodied nose and while he received treatment, Spanish referee Carlos del Cerro Grande was advised to view the incident again by VAR.

There appeared to be no intent by Lovren, but the official still pointed to the spot.

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Schick sent Livakovic the wrong way to move ahead in the race for the Golden Boot.

Ante Rebic had a great chance to level immediately, but summed up Croatia's half when he sliced horribly wide.

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Dalic had seen enough as he made two changes at the break with Bruno Petkovic and Luka Ivanusec introduced.

But it was Croatia's reliable source of goals in major tournaments that came up with the moment of magic needed to launch their tournament less than two minutes after the break.

Perisic cut inside onto his weaker right foot to blast into the top corner for his eighth goal at a European Championship or World Cup.

Croatia had the better chances to snatch all three points as Nikola Vlasic fired inches wide before Tomas Kalas produced a last-ditch block to deny Petkovic in the final minute.

Silhavy's wild celebrations at the final whistle showed who were the happier side with a point, with the Czechs likely to have already done enough to secure a place in the last 16 thanks to their four points.

But Croatia hit back almost immediately after half-time after a wonderful solo effort from Ivan Perisic. Both sides had chances as the half wore on, with Nikola Vlasic missing the best chance to win it when he skied an effort across the face of goal.