Czech Republic vs England LIVE
England got off the mark in the Nations League on Tuesday night as they ground out a 2-0 defeat of the Czech Republic in Prague. Errors were the name of the game last time out as England were beaten by Spain, and Thomas Tuchel responded to that result by resting Jude Bellingham and Ezri Konsa, replacing them with Morgan Rogers and Trevoh Chalobah. Trent Alexander-Arnold started for England for the first time in two years.
The first half at the Fortuna Arena passed largely without incident, save for Pavel Sulc’s uncontroversial sending off after he caught Elliot Anderson high. Anthony Gordon finally broke the deadlock moments into the second-half, though, as he headed home from Alexander-Arnold’s pinpoint cross. It was two shortly thereafter as Rogers tripped in the box and Harry Lane duly smashed the loose ball home.
The occasion was overshadowed somewhat by domestic news, with the announcement of Manchester City’s guilt on 114 charges of financial misconduct released ahead of kick-off. Catch up with the action as it happened below with Standard Sport’s dedicated match blog, complete with expert insight and analysis from our England correspondent Dom Smith.
Czech Republic vs England latest updates
- GOAL! Kane doubles England's advantage
- GOAL! Gordon puts England in front
- RED CARD! Sulc dismissed for Anderson tackle
England player ratings
21:52 , Arthur Ferridge
Marc Guehi 5
Was unfairly penalised for a few fouls that shouldn’t have been awarded, but was still suspect on the ball.
Lewis Hall 6
Produced two or three really dangerous crosses but his decision-making was often questionable at other moments. One good tackle.
Elliot Anderson 6
Busy again in midfield but without making a huge impact on the game.
One good corner delivery but missed a big chance in the first half and didn’t have one of his better games in an England shirt.
FULL-TIME: Czech Republic 0-2 England
21:37 , Arthur Ferridge
Job done, bang tidy.
Czech Republic 0-2 England
21:36 , Arthur Ferridge
90+2mins: Kovar gets down quickly to deny Jude Bellingham England’s third.
Czech Republic 0-2 England
21:34 , Arthur Ferridge
There will be two added minutes here.
Czech Republic 0-2 England
21:33 , Arthur Ferridge
88mins: England’s short corner is worked to Eze, whose effort from the edge of the area sails high into the stands.
Czech Republic 0-2 England
21:30 , Arthur Ferridge
85mins: Eze takes it down on his chest in the box, but can’t quite control the ball well enough to get a shot away. The danger is cleared.
Czech Republic 0-2 England
21:26 , Arthur Ferridge
82mins: Another strong save from Kovar denies Eze England’s third.
Czech Republic 0-2 England
21:25 , Arthur Ferridge
80mins: Another change for England as Gordon is replaced by Gibbs-White.
Czech Republic 0-2 England
21:24 , Arthur Ferridge
79mins: Rogers heads into the side netting from close range! That could have been three. It wasn’t far away at all.
Czech Republic 0-2 England
21:22 , Arthur Ferridge
77mins: A fine save from Trafford as the Czech’s counter through Hlozek, who opts to shoot from about 25 yards. A routine enough stop for the Leeds man, mind.
Czech Republic 0-2 England
21:19 , Arthur Ferridge
75mins: The Czechs have a rare corner, which comes to nothing. Ngumoha is cynically tripped as he looks to counter.
Czech Republic 0-2 England
21:17 , Arthur Ferridge
73mins: Bellingham floats an ambitious ball in search of the onrushing Ngumoha, but puts a little too much on it.
Dom Smith reports
21:15 , Arthur Ferridge
Kane knew he had to keep the shot low, there, otherwise there was a risk of the defender blocking it. Kane's second goal in two games in this Nations League campaign. England winners now.
Czech Republic 0-2 England
21:15 , Arthur Ferridge
70mins: Changes for England now as Scott, Bellingham and Ngumoha replace Anderson, Kane and Saka.
GOAL! Czech Republic 0-2 England | Kane '69
21:14 , Arthur Ferridge
Kane gets his customary goal! A smart pass is played into Rogers, who trips in the box but Kane is there to sweep up and he buries the loose ball.
Czech Republic 0-1 England
21:12 , Arthur Ferridge
68mins: Gordon finds Hall in the middle and he looks to tee up Eze for a shot, but his pass is cut out.
Czech Republic 0-1 England
21:11 , Arthur Ferridge
67mins: England are continuing to lay siege to the Czech box, but aren’t being terribly creative with their attacking play. Everything is going through Gordon and Hall on the left flank.
Dom Smith reports
21:07 , Arthur Ferridge
More space for England now. A product of the goal but also the Czechs tiring.
Czech Republic 0-1 England
21:05 , Arthur Ferridge
61mins: Hall whips a fine low cross into thebox and Krecji turns it onto his own post!
Czech Republic 0-1 England
21:05 , Arthur Ferridge
60mins: Saka’s corner goes all the way through, untouched. Kane was thrown to the ground by Krejci in the melee, but gets no sympathy from the referee.
Czech Republic 0-1 England
21:02 , Arthur Ferridge
58mins: England’s short corner routine works the ball to Lewis Hall, whose effort from the edge of the box is into Row Z.
Czech Republic 0-1 England
21:01 , Arthur Ferridge
56mins: Two changes for the hosts. Sadilek and Radosta are replaced by Kral and Ambros.
Czech Republic 0-1 England
21:00 , Arthur Ferridge
55mins: The hosts are still sitting nice and deep, and England remain broadly confounded by the block. They are stuck lobbing crosses into an increasingly congested penalty area, to little avail.
Czech Republic 0-1 England
20:56 , Arthur Ferridge
52mins: CLOSE! Gordon pulls one back to Hall, who pushes a shot across goal but misses narrowly wide.
Czech Republic 0-1 England
20:54 , Arthur Ferridge
50mins: A crunching collision between Anderson and Lingr has both men down on the turf, but both pop straight back up to their feet and play on.
Czech Republic 0-1 England
20:53 , Arthur Ferridge
49mins: That goal is precisely what this game needed. Now England can push on in search of more as the Czechs have good reason to be a bit more expansive.
Saka dances to the byline but overcooks his cross to Kane.
Dom Smith reports
20:52 , Arthur Ferridge
That's such an intelligent header from Gordon, who has looked liklier than anyone. Fine assist too.
GOAL! Czech Republic 0-1 England | Gordon '47
20:51 , Arthur Ferridge
England have their opener! Alexander-Arnold sends a lovely bouncing cross behind the Czech defence, and Gordon nods it beyond a wrong-footed Kovar.
2ND-HALF: Czech Republic 0-0 England
20:49 , Arthur Ferridge
Back underway and there has been a change! Eberechi Eze replaces Myles Lewis-Skelly.
Half-time scores around the grounds
20:38 , Arthur Ferridge
There’s plenty more matches tonight, and, believe it or not, some of them have had goals! Here are the scores from elsewhere...
Spain 2-1 Croatia
Scotland 0-1 Switzerland
Slovenia 0-0 North Macedonia
San Marino 0-2 Albania
First half pictures...
20:37 , Arthur Ferridge
HALF-TIME: Czech Republic 0-0 England
20:34 , Arthur Ferridge
It is goalless at the break.
Dom Smith reports
20:33 , Arthur Ferridge
Saka has been poor. He needs to improve after the interval or must be taken off. Just hasn't been at the races today.
Czech Republic 0-0 England
20:33 , Arthur Ferridge
45+1mins: The corner is cleared out to Saka, who misreads its bounce and controls it with his arm.
Czech Republic 0-0 England
20:32 , Arthur Ferridge
45+1mins: SAVE! Kovar gets a strong hand up to tip Kane’s shot around the post.
Czech Republic 0-0 England
20:32 , Arthur Ferridge
There will be two added minutes here.
Czech Republic 0-0 England
20:31 , Arthur Ferridge
45mins: An early substitution from the Czechs as the injured Karabec is replaced by Lingr.
Czech Republic 0-0 England
20:31 , Arthur Ferridge
44mins: Krejci nods a Czech free kick back into the box, but Trafford catches it.
He sets England on the counter with a quick ball to Gordon, but they lack the pace to really take advantage of the element of surprise. The move breaks down with Lewis-Skelly dispossessed on the edge of the box.
Czech Republic 0-0 England
20:29 , Arthur Ferridge
43mins: Alexander-Arnold’s cross is flicked on by Rogers, but it is a little too far away from Kane.
Czech Republic 0-0 England
20:28 , Arthur Ferridge
41mins: England have enjoyed 75 per cent possession today and managed just two shots on target. They’ve also had a one-man advantage for much of the half.
Far from a vintage performance in Prague.
Dom Smith reports
20:24 , Arthur Ferridge
Gordon has been the best player on the pitch and so nearly forces an own goal. England need to up the tempo, still, however.
Czech Republic 0-0 England
20:24 , Arthur Ferridge
38mins: Gordon’s cross is almost turned in by Karabec! Far from convincing from the midfielder, but he just about clears his lines.
Czech Republic 0-0 England
20:22 , Arthur Ferridge
35mins: Lewis-Skelly has his name taken now after catching Cerv from behind. He seems to have stamped on the Czech’s standing foot and the hosts want a red. The head coach Santi Denia is booked for his spirited protests.
Czech Republic 0-0 England
20:20 , Arthur Ferridge
33mins: Hall lobs a cross to the back post, but Kane can only complain as he feels he has been impeded by his marker, who was all over him.
Czech Republic 0-0 England
20:18 , Arthur Ferridge
32mins: Gordon stings the palms of Kovar in goal with a shot from a tight angle. He looks every bit as confident as he did at the weekend.
Czech Republic 0-0 England
20:16 , Arthur Ferridge
30mins: Saka gets a shot off to cap a nice England move, but his effort is wide and the offside flag is up.
Other than that, a great move.
Czech Republic 0-0 England
20:15 , Arthur Ferridge
29mins: The Czech’s are sitting nice and deep now they have lost their primary out ball.
Czech Republic 0-0 England
20:14 , Arthur Ferridge
27mins: Sulc had already enjoyed a couple of good chances for the hosts. The Lyon forward is considered one of the Republic’s better players. The onus on England, now.
Czech Republic 0-0 England
20:13 , Arthur Ferridge
There he goes...
Dom Smith reports
20:12 , Arthur Ferridge
That's a red card - it's the right call - but it doesn't exactly help England in terms of improving. Facing ten men will offer fewer learnings about where England are at from here on in, quite apart from how the game goes.
RED CARD! Czech Republic 0-0 England
20:11 , Arthur Ferridge
24mins: Sulc is dismissed! His booking is upgraded to a red card.
Czech Republic 0-0 England
20:10 , Arthur Ferridge
23mins: Sulc goes into the book for a late tackle on Anderson. He’s lucky to get off with a booking - he caught the Man City man high on the calf with his studs.
VAR is checking!
Czech Republic 0-0 England
20:09 , Arthur Ferridge
22mins: CLOSE! Hall wins the ball high on the left flank and feeds Gordon, who sends a curling effort just wide of the far post.
Czech Republic 0-0 England
20:07 , Arthur Ferridge
20mins: Alexander-Arnold plays a wonderful line-breaking pass in search of Gordon, but Chaloupek just gets there first.
Dom Smith reports
20:03 , Arthur Ferridge
Poor contact off Saka's boot denies England their opener. Should score.
Czech Republic 0-0 England
20:02 , Arthur Ferridge
16mins: How has that stayed out! England have three chances to score but don’t take any of them! Rogers hits the post before Anderson sees a shot blocked. It falls to Saka, who is also blocked!
Czech Republic 0-0 England
19:59 , Arthur Ferridge
13mins: Chalobah rises highest to clear Radosta’s cross, but it falls directly for Cerv to volley at goal. He connects sweetly but sends his effort just over the bar.
Moments later the Czechs come again through Sulo, whose effort is blocked by Chalobah.
Czech Republic 0-0 England
19:57 , Arthur Ferridge
11mins: England seem to be slowly growing in confidence here, but it will take some doing to break down this Czech defence. They are nice and compact.
Dom Smith reports
19:56 , Arthur Ferridge
England being pressed intensely at full-back, with the Czechs seemingly of a view that Alexander-Arnold and Hall can be put under pressure on their rare starts.
Czech Republic 0-0 England
19:55 , Arthur Ferridge
9mins: Kane gets a talking-to after a coming together with Cerv, which has left the latter in a heap on the floor in the 18-yard box.
Czech Republic 0-0 England
19:53 , Arthur Ferridge
7mins: Hlozek races goalward after beating Chalobah in a duel. He plays Radosta in behind and wants it back but Guehi cuts out the cross.
Czech Republic 0-0 England
19:52 , Arthur Ferridge
5mins: That was nervy from England! Anderson loses the ball in the centre of the park and that sets Sulc through on goal. He takes a heavy touch under pressure from Chalobah, though, and Trafford saves the situation.
Czech Republic 0-0 England
19:51 , Arthur Ferridge
4mins: Kane plays Saka into the right channel and he does well to get a cross into the mixer. The ball falls back to him after a pair of unconvincing Czech clearances, but the Arsenal man doesn’t catch the shot quite right and Kovar makes a claim.
Czech Republic 0-0 England
19:50 , Arthur Ferridge
3mins: Alexander-Arnold has a point to prove tonight, and he is slow off the mark in doing so as he is all too easily dispossessed by Karabec.
Czech Republic 0-0 England
19:49 , Arthur Ferridge
2mins: A tentative start from both sides. England are just knocking the ball around at the back as they look to get used to the atmosphere and size up their opposition.
KICK-OFF! Czech Republic 0-0 England
19:46 , Arthur Ferridge
And we are UNDERWAY in Prague!
Here we go...
19:41 , Arthur Ferridge
The players are out at Fortuna Arena. Anthems and kick-off to come!
Team news reminder
19:35 , Arthur Ferridge
With ten minutes to kick-off, a reminder of tonight’s starting lineups.
Czech Republic XI: Kovar, Chaloupek, Hranac, Krejci, Slama, Cerv, Sulc, Sadilek, Radosta, Hlozek, Karabec
England XI: Trafford; Alexander-Arnold, Chalobah, Guehi, Hall; Anderson, Lewis-Skelly; Saka, Rogers, Gordon; Kane
Inside the away dressing room
19:30 , Arthur Ferridge
England will be in their traditional white this evening...
Dom Smith reports
19:28 , Arthur Ferridge
By the way, that October 2019 defeat the last time England were playing at the Fortuna Arena in Prague was also the only qualifier they have lost since 2009. The Three Lions have been warned to keep their focus tonight.
Morgan Rogers previews the tie
19:22 , Arthur Ferridge
On positives from Spain: “The intensity we played with, I think the way we attacked the game and took it to the best team in the world, that is something we can be really proud of. Fine margins decide games, and that is something we need to clean up on.”
On enjoying playing as a No10: “Massively. It is difficult, (Jude) is playing so well. I want to try and show what I’m about, what I can do in that role. I hope I can have a positive impact.”
Dom Smith reports
19:19 , Arthur Ferridge
Anthony Gordon has said to ITV that England "went for the throat" against Spain and lost in the right way, but losing simply won't do tonight.
Defeat against a Czech Republic team that bombed out at the World Cup would be far more humiliating and England go in as firm favourites in Prague this evening.
Gordon has another chance to impress at left wing this evening.
Czech Republic vs England match facts
19:16 , Arthur Ferridge
England have lost just one of their last nine meetings with Czechia in all competitions (W6 D2), though it was on their last visit to the nation in October 2019 (1-2).
Jude Bellingham, who starts on the bench tonight, has been involved in nine goals in his last nine international appearances (7 goals, 2 assists), more than any other England player since the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Czechia’s 2-1 defeat to Croatia last time out ended a 19-game unbeaten home run (W14 D5). They last lost consecutive home matches in June 2016.
Harry Kane has netted four goals in six UEFA Nations League appearances since the start of the 2024-25 edition, more than he netted across the first three editions of the competition he played in (3 in 18 games – 2018-19, 2020-21, 2022-23).
via Boyle Sports
Lewis Hall previews tonight's tie
19:08 , Arthur Ferridge
“Whenever you play a game, you're always going to review it. There was throughout the [loss against Spain] there's a lot of positives to take. I think we can be really proud of the performance we put in.
“I think that football can sometimes come down to mistakes and small margins. But we're really proud of the performance we put in that day and we'll look to build on that.
“We are expecting a really difficult game [against Czechia.] We know that they're a very proud nation.
“Whenever you play international football from what I've experienced so far and from what I've seen during my lifetime with watching the games, it's always tough games and I am looking forward to it.
“As a nation, you always pride yourself in being the best and that's what we want to be. [The Nations League] is a competition that we'll look to try and win.”
Dom Smith reports
18:59 , Arthur Ferridge
It is a very interesting lineup that Thomas Tuchel has named, including a third cap and first competitive start for Trevoh Chalobah, who left the lifelong club of his youth, Chelsea, to join Cesc Fabregas's Como this summer. Trent Alexander-Arnold, Lewis Hall and James Trafford are all making rare starts and must all take their chances, as I wrote earlier this morning. England in need of a response.
More headlines...
18:51 , Arthur Ferridge
Elsewhere in the England team news, Jude Bellingham has been left out of the starting XI tonight, presumably to be rested.
Two Man City stars start in the wake of tonight’s bombshell news - Marc Guehi and Elliot Anderson.
Trevoh Chalobah also makes a rare start at centre-back, with Morgan Rogers featuring in the front four.
Alexander-Arnold returns
18:43 , Arthur Ferridge
Trent Alexander-Arnold starts for England tonight for the first time since October 2024, when he scored in a 3-1 defeat of Finland.
His promotion to the starting XI comes at the expense of Jarrell Quansah, who is on the bench tonight.
CZECH REPUBLIC CONFIRMED TEAM NEWS
18:36 , Arthur Ferridge
Czech Republic XI: Kovar, Chaloupek, Hranac, Krejci, Slama, Cerv, Sulc, Sadilek, Radosta, Hlozek, Karabec
Subs: Hornicek, Kovar, Ambros, Sacek, Bucha, Kral, Macek, Zmrzly, Kricfalusi, Vitik, Vasulin, Lingr
ENGLAND CONFIRMED TEAM NEWS
18:33 , Arthur Ferridge
England XI: Trafford; Alexander-Arnold, Chalobah, Guehi, Hall; Anderson, Lewis-Skelly; Saka, Rogers, Gordon; Kane
Subs: Pickford, Scott, Konsa, Bellingham, Ngumoha, Branthwaite, Garner, Calvert-Lewin, Gibbs-White, Eze, Quansah, Steele
Team news leaks
18:26 , Arthur Ferridge
As is tradition, the England lineup has been leaked ahead of kick-off.
Per the BBC’s Sami Mokbel, Trent Alexander-Arnold will get the nod at right-back, alongside Lewis Hall and Trevoh Chalobah. One would expect Marc Guehi to complete the back four.
Morgan Rogers is also expected to start.
England predicted XI
18:22 , Arthur Ferridge
Tonight’s team news will be out shortly. Here’s how our England correspondent Dom Smith expects the Three Lions to line up tonight.
England predicted line-up vs Czechia (4-2-3-1): Trafford; Alexander-Arnold, Guehi, Branthwaite, Hall; Anderson, Scott; Saka, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane
Doubts: Konsa, O’Reilly
Thomas Tuchel on Man City verdict
18:13 , Arthur Ferridge
One wonders whether any Man City players will feature for England tonight, given the massive distraction of the verdict being released.
Here is what Thomas Tuchel had to say about the case on Saturday...
Asked whether his side was distracted, he said: “Not for me, but I can imagine maybe for the Manchester City players. For me not and I will not comment on that because it is an ongoing court case so I will not give any comment.
“I didn’t make it a topic. It was not a topic for me. I hear the news as the latest person in camp.
“I was just thinking about Spain and training and meetings and individual meetings and team meetings. Not for me.
“For the players, they have more time than me. They have one training session, so I can imagine they talk about it. It is good that they do and I didn’t feel they were distracted.”
Standard Sport prediction
18:05 , Arthur Ferridge
England had their moments against Spain, but were ultimately punished by their own mistakes and some quality finishing from the world champions.
Facing the Czech Republic is arguably the perfect game for Tuchel’s side as they look to swiftly bounce back and avoid falling further behind the top two in the group.
Injury issues have slightly impacted Tuchel's ability to rotate, particularly in defence and midfield, but they should have more than enough attacking talent to get the job done here.
England to win, 3-0.
Czech Republic early team news
17:55 , Arthur Ferridge
Adam Karabec scored the Czech Republic’s equaliser against Croatia before later limping off and is therefore a major doubt to face England.
Newcastle's Lukas Hornicek is expected to get the nod in goal over Tottenham's Antonin Kinsky, former West Ham defender Vladimir Coufal is set to captain the side but Tomas Soucek is absent through injury.
England early team news
17:45 , Arthur Ferridge
Ezri Konsa is an injury doubt after training individually on Monday. Asked for an update at his pre-match press conference later in the day, Thomas Tuchel was unable to confirm the the Arsenal defender’s involvement against the Czechs. Nico O’Reilly, meanwhile, is set to miss out.
James Trafford will get the nod in goal for England once again, despite conceding three goals against Spain. Tuchel has said the Leeds goalkeeper will have a two-game audition in the absence of the injured Dean Henderson.
Lewis Hall is expected to start at left-back despite missing the Spain game with a minor injury scare, while Trent Alexander-Arnold is pushing to start in a game where England are expected to dominate possession.
Tuchel could, though, be tempted to stick with the same midfield and attacking trio that started at Wembley, as captain Harry Kane goes in search of another goal.
MAJOR BREAKING: Premier League confirm Man City verdict in bombshell statement
17:44 , Arthur Ferridge
The Premier League has confirmed Manchester City have been found guilty on all of the charges of financial misconduct levelled against them, though the club maintains its innocence.
City had been accused of 115 charges relating to the failure to comply with financial rules between the 2009/20 and 2017/18 campaigns, and a four-year investigation has finally reached a conclusion.
A bombshell statement released on Tuesday afternoon revealed the club had arranged “sham” sponsorship deals, filed misstated accounts, breached spending limits in both Premier League and UEFA competitions, and failed to cooperate with investigation.
A commission found: “By its conduct the club clearly intended to circumvent the PL Rules,” and “made concerted efforts to stop and frustrate the PL investigation.”
The club has previously denied the allegations and has confirmed its intention to appeal.
Click here to see Man City’s response...
How to watch Czech Republic vs England
17:35 , Arthur Ferridge
TV channel: In the UK, Czech Republic vs England in the 2026/27 Nations League is being televised live and free to air on ITV, with coverage of the match beginning at 7pm BST on ITV1 ahead of a 7:45pm kick-off.
Live stream: Catch the game live online through the ITVX website and app, which is free with a registration.
Good evening
17:22 , Arthur Ferridge
Hello and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Czech Republic vs England in the Nations League!
Both these sides are looking to bounce back from matchday one disappointment. Who will come out on top?
All will be revealed! Tonight’s action kicks off at 7.45pm BST. Stick with us.
