Czech Republic qualify for Euro 2016 after 2-1 defeat of Latvia

The Czech Republic booked their place at Euro 2016 with a little help from Group A rivals Turkey.

David Limbersky and Vladimir Darida picked the perfect time to score their maiden international goals to help the visitors to a 2-1 win over Latvia in Riga.

And by a strange coincidence first-half goals at almost identical times for the Turks pushed Holland towards a 3-0 defeat to end their chances of automatic qualification and secure the Czech's passage to France with two matches to spare as they can no longer be caught by third-placed Turkey or Holland.

They got off to an ideal start in the eighth minute when Milan Skoda teed up defender Limbersky to drill home a low effort, breaking his goalscoring duck in his 34th appearance for the national team.

The visitors maintained their pressure and a deserved second arrived midway through the first half when Vladimir Darida, winning his 27th cap, fired home from 25 yards.

Latvia briefly gained the momentum just after half-time with Igors Tarasovs denied by Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech.

The warning was not needed and 17 minutes from time Arturs Zjuzins pulled one back when his shot from the edge of the area was tipped onto the post and in by Cech.

However, despite some late pressure, Latvia, still without a home win in this qualifying campaign, could not force an equaliser and slipped to a third defeat in four games in front of their own fans.