Czech Republic and Turkey faced off in what turned out to be the dirtiest game in Euros history. The match saw a record-breaking number of cards handed out, with a total of 18 cards shown, including 16 yellows and 2 reds. The chaos began with a 2-1 victory for Turkey, securing their spot in the knockout stages.
The game started well for the Czech Republic, with a solid pressing system disrupting Turkey’s midfield. However, an early yellow card for Antonin Barak set the tone for what was to come. Barak, already on a yellow, was shown a second yellow in the 20th minute, resulting in the earliest sending-off in Euro history.
The contentious decisions continued throughout the game, with cards being shown to players who were not even on the pitch. Czech striker Patrik Schick received a yellow for dissent, while Turkey’s Kenan Yildiz was booked for a challenge on a Czech player.
As the game reached its climax, the drama escalated further. After Cenk Tosun scored the winning goal for Turkey, tempers flared on the pitch. A red card was shown to Czech striker Tomas Chory, adding to the chaos of the match.
Despite the footballing implications being minimal, the game will be remembered for its chaotic and lawless nature. The referee struggled to maintain control as players and coaches from both teams became involved in scuffles on the pitch.
In the end, Turkey emerged victorious, but the match will go down in history as the dirtiest game in Euros history. The record-breaking number of cards and the dramatic scenes in the dying moments ensure that this game will be remembered for years to come.