England's classic meetings with Czechia

England continue their Nations League campaign with a trip to Prague on Tuesday night, with Czechia up next for Thomas Tuchel and his squad.

The Three Lions are looking to bounce back from a narrow 3-2 defeat by world champions Spain in their first away game, which kicks off at 7.45pm (BST) at Fortuna Arena.

England have an impressive record against Czechia (previously known as Czech Republic and Czechoslovakia), having played them 18 times since their first meeting back in 1908, winning eleven of those games, drawing four and losing on just three occasions.

Tuchel and his players are now preparing to face Santi Denia’s side twice in eight days, with Czechia visiting Wembley Stadium on Tuesday 6 October for the return fixture.

Ahead of this week’s trip to Prague, take a closer look at England’s most memorable clashes with Tuesday’s opponents.

Czech Republic 0-1 England, UEFA EURO 2020 group stage, 22 June 2021

The last time the two countries met was during the delayed EURO 2020 tournament, with Czech Republic visiting Wembley for the third and final group stage game.

England took the lead in the 12th minute as Raheem Sterling converted a Jack Grealish cross at the far post, with Sir Gareth Southgate’s side rarely looking threatened on home soil.

The Three Lions held onto their one-goal advantage to seal victory and top spot in Group D, setting up what would be a memorable Round of 16 win over Germany on their way to the final.

England 1-0 Czechoslovakia, International Match, 29 November 1978

Although the match itself won’t go down as a classic, history was made during England’s hard-fought friendly win over Czechoslovakia on a frozen Wembley pitch in 1978.

Viv Anderson, who was then starring for Nottingham Forest at club level, made his debut for the Three Lions, becoming the first Black player to represent England at senior level.

Steve Coppell scored the only goal for Ron Greenwood’s side against the reigning European champions as Anderson helped his country keep a clean sheet on the first of his 30 international caps.

England 5-0 Czech Republic, UEFA EURO 2020 qualifier, 22 March 2019

Raheem Sterling’s winner at EURO 2020 wasn’t the first time he’d found the back of the net against Czech Republic, with the winger having hit a hat-trick in a resounding victory two years earlier.

The then Manchester City man netted the only treble of his England career during a qualifier for the tournament at Wembley, netting twice from close range either side of half time before a deflected effort from outside the box earned him the matchball.

Harry Kane was also on target from the penalty spot, while Tomas Kalas’ late own goal sealed a miserable evening for the visitors.

England 2-0 Czechoslovakia, World Cup group stage, 20 June 1982

One of only three meetings with Tuesday’s opponents at a major tournament, England earned their second World Cup victory over Czechoslovakia in the summer of 1982.

Two goals in four second-half minutes were enough for the Three Lions, who took the lead via a poacher’s finish from Trevor Francis before an own goal from Jozef Barmoš sealed victory in the final group stage game.

The result sealed top spot for Ron Greenwood’s side and sent them through to the second group stage, but draws against West Germany and hosts Spain meant England failed to reach the knockouts despite being unbeaten.

England 2-2 Czech Republic, International Match, 20 August 2008

Joe Cole was England’s hero as the Three Lions twice fought back from going behind to earn a draw with Czech Republic in added time of this Wembley friendly.

The visitors went ahead midway through the opening period when Milan Baros’ strike deflected off Ashley Cole, only for Wes Brown to equalise with a powerful header on the stroke of half time.

Marek Jankulovski looked to have earned a rare win for the Czechs over England with a superb free-kick after the break, but Cole bundled the ball home from a corner as Fabio Capello’s side avoided defeat in dramatic fashion.