Sweden and Czech Republic were up next in the last 16 of the oturnament. Both teams having varying degrees of success in the group stages.
The game would proved to be a lively affair, with Czech trying to strike first. Lukáš Masopust though he almost drew blood, only for a beautiful save in the opening minutes. It was not long after when Czech keeper Pavelenka would be tested, palming a low shot by Berg around the post and out for a corner. The resulting corner bounced outside the box only for Forsberg to connect with a roaming ball, unfortunately for him he could not get his body over it, and the ball sailed over the bar. Sweden dominated possession with Czech only having 39% of the ball in the opening 20 minutes
From the opening few minutes it was evident this fixture would produce goals. Isak thought he put Sweden ahead only for Pavelenka to be a hero again, however not to be deterred Isak seemed to almost most visualized a goal fro the Swedes. Linking up with Olsson, Isak provided the killer pass to leave the Czech defence is disarray. Olsson managed to finally break the deadlock, Sweden had drawn first blood, and Czech needed to seal up their wounds. Unfortunately for them they just could not stop the bleeding, as Ken Sema dealt a near fatal blow mere moments later. Charging down the right wing before blasting the ball into the net. Sweden were comprehensibility winning the battle.
Sweden were ravenous, rampaging thru a weak fragile Czech Republic, Isak taking delight and reveling in destruction. His skill was as if he was being controlled by an external force, cheekily playing with Coufal like a cat with a mouse, before laying it off to Berg. It was three nil going into half time, it could of been four, it it was not for the post. Robbie Doyle needed to survey the damage, patch up his teams wounds and motivate them to continue fighting.
They did try and fight to be fair, only for Alexander Isak the great once again proving to be the difference maker. It was four nil Sweden, and this was finally Czech’s wake up call. Masopust still most likely cursing his opening shot of the game not going in, made a beautiful run from deep to only then once again miss, this time denied by the post. Schick made amends with a consolation goal, proving that the Czech Republic also have the ability to strike.
Isak was on hand just to show how lethal he is with Swedens fifth before Darida scored Czech’s second. The game ended on the scoreline of five goals to two capping a magnificent performance by Sweden. Sweden will await their fate as Turkey and Germany will battle it out to meet them in the quarter finals.
