Croatia 1-1 Czech Republic: Player ratings as Ivan Perisic stunner sees points shared
By Tom Gott
Croatia kept their hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages alive by fighting back a goal down to earn a 1-1 draw with the Czech Republic.
The first half brought the first VAR controversy of Euro 2020 as the official intervened to award the Czech Republic a harsh penalty after an inadvertent elbow from Dejan Lovren on Patrik Schick, who followed his worldie against Scotland with a composed finish from 12 yards here.
After a laboured first half performance, Croatia got themselves back into the game in the 47th minute through a moment of magic from Ivan Perisic, who thumped home an excellent strike past Tomas Vaclik - who may feel he could have done better.
But the Croats were unable to force a winner, and may need to pick up a result against Scotland depending on how they get on in their second group game against England.
Croatia player ratings
1. Goalkeeper & Defenders
Dominik Livakovic (GK) - 5/10 - Went the wrong way for the penalty but wouldn't have saved it anyway.
Sime Vrsaljko (RB) - 7/10 - Bombed forward at every opportunity and usually put in a dangerous cross or a pass. Did well to regain composure after some handbags with Jankto.
Dejan Lovren (CB) - 5/10 - Can someone explain why Lovren is on free-kicks? Very unfortunate to give away the penalty but it did sum up a reckless performance from the defender.
Domagoj Vida (CB) - 6/10 - Threw himself in front of everything that came his way but didn't always pick the right moments. A little chaotic, as you would expect.
Josko Gvardiol (LB) - 7/10 - Has struggled at full-back in the past but really excelled here. Caused chaos down the left and linked up with his midfielders very well.
2. Midfielders
Luka Modric (DM) - 6/10 - Felt like he was too deep here. Made some decent short passes but Croatia really needed his creativity further forward. Yet to bring him 2018 form to this tournament.
Mateo Kovacic (DM) - 5/10 - Just not defensive enough to be in a pivot alongside Modric. They're basically the same player, and neither of them is a good defender. It left Croatia's defence so exposed.
Ivan Perisic (RM) - 7/10 - Didn't really enjoy himself on the right in the first half. Was switched to the left at the break and bagged a worldie after just two minutes. Surprise surprise.
Andrej Kramaric (AM) - 5/10 - Not creative enough to be in this role for Croatia. Was asked to link the two lines but didn't have the vision to find the right passes.
Josip Brekalo (LM) - 5/10 - A quiet first half from Brekalo, who was starved of service for the most part. Hooked at half time.
3. Forward
Ante Rebic (ST) - 3/10 - Rebic just isn't good at international level. Fluffed an excellent chance to equalise immediately after Schick's penalty and was unsurprisingly hauled off at the break.
4. Substitutes
Luka Ivanusec - 7/10
Bruno Petkovic - 7/10
Nikola Vlasic - 6/10
Marcelo Brozovic - N/A
Czech Republic player ratings
5. Goalkeeper & Defenders
Tomas Vaclik (GK) - 5/10 - Probably should have done better for Perisic's goal, but didn't have much to do apart from that.
Vladimir Coufal (RB) - 5/10 - Gave Perisic far too much space for his goal and the topped it all off by slipping over. Did not enjoy dealing with the winger after the break.
Ondrej Celustka (CB) - 5/10 - Celebrated his birthday with a below-par performance. Didn't cover himself in glory with the equaliser either.
Tomas Kalas (CB) - 5/10 - Looked a little shaky at times when Croatia turned on the style in the second half. Found Petkovic's physicality a bit too much.
Jan Boril (LB) - 6/10 - Bombed up and down the left all game long and regularly found himself in dangerous positions. Didn't always do much with the ball but asked enough questions.
6. Midfielders
Tomas Soucek (DM) - 7/10 - Predictably excellent. Sprayed passes all around the pitch and dominated defensively, hounding Modric and Kovacic all game long.
Tomas Holes (DM) - 6/10 - Had a solid first half but didn't get the chance to build on that as he was withdrawn shortly after the break. Deserves an even worse rating for being the number 9 as a DM.
Lukas Masopust (RM) - 5/10 - Sloppy. Kept losing possession and failing to control routine passes. Unsurprisingly taken off on the hour mark.
Vladimir Darida (AM) - 5/10 - Did a very average job of linking up play. Looked a little lazy at times and was caught on his heels once or twice, but did nothing too offensive.
Jakub Jankto (LM) - 6/10 - Made plenty of decent passes but seemed to be on a different wavelength to his team-mates. Didn't get the reward he deserved.
7. Forward
Patrik Schick (ST) - 8/10 - A bit fortunate to win the penalty, but slotted it home with real precision and looked cool as hell celebrating with blood dripping down his face.
8. Substitutes
Adam Hlozek - 6/10
Alex Kral - 5/10
Petr Sevcik - 5/10
Michael Krmencik - 5/10
Antonin Barak - N/A