Czechs erase two-goal deficit to draw with Croatia after disruption

Czech Republic rallied from two goals down to salvage a 2-2 draw in a game that Croatia mostly dominated in Euro 2016 Group D on Friday.

Ivan Perisic and Ivan Rakitic scored in each half to put Croatia ahead, but Milan Skoda's 76th-minute headed goal gave the Czechs a lifeline and Tomas Necid delivered an 89th-minute penalty to secure a point that had seemed unlikely earlier in the match.

Croatia could also face discipline from UEFA after a delay before the final goal when their fans threw multiple flares onto the corner of the ground, as well as a firework that went off very close to a steward.

Croatia were in control from the opening minute, forcing Peter Cech to tip a looped shot over his bar following a corner.

The Czechs then had one of their better opportunities from a free kick and the ball bounced in the middle of the box before Croatian keeper Danijel Subasic could claim it.

Vedran Corluka suffered a bloody cut to his head, but his side took control of possession and nearly scored in the 21st minute when Perisic came within inches of turning in Mario Mandzukic's low cross.

Croatia were well in control by the 37th minute, when Ivan Rakitic broke into the box and forced Cech to make a point-blank save.

And less than a minute later they found the breakthrough when Milan Badelj dispossessed Jaroslav Plasil in midfield and Perisic comfortably dribbled into the box and beat Cech with a low shot to his left.

Croatia nearly doubled their lead three minutes before the break when defenders Corluka and Domagoj Vida collided with each other when chasing a Rakitic free kick and bundled the ball just wide of the post.

Michael Steele/Getty Images

---

With Luka Modric patrolling the midfield, Czech Republic struggled to maintain possession after the break, and Rakitic added Croatia's second goal in the 59th minute.

Cech quickly took a goal kick that Roman Hubnik was not fully prepared for, and Marcelo Brozovic played in Rakitic, who easily chipped the onrushing keeper.

But still Croatia pressed forward and nearly had a third when Pavel Kaderabek's poor clearance fell to Mandzukic, who sent a first-time shot wide of the post.

Modric then picked up a knock and came off as a precaution in the 62nd minute, as the game looked to be well in hand.

But without the Real Madrid man to deal with, the Czechs were able to build up more possession and they were then rewarded when substitute Skoda scored with a looping header following Tomas Rosicky's cross.

Following the fan disruption in the late stages, an equaliser still seemed unlikely, but English referee Mark Clattenburg pointed to the penalty spot when Vida handled a ball over his head in the box, and another substitute, Necid, converted the penalty.

Croatia then had to fend off a number of Czech chances in a lengthy stoppage time, but the match ended level and the teams shared the points.

Croatia, now on four points, will finish group play against defending champions Spain on Tuesday. The Czech Republic, with one point, will face Turkey that same day.