Spain beat 10-man Czechs 2-0 at Epet Arena to extend winning run to 12
Spain beat the 10-man Czech Republic 2-0 in a UEFA Nations League match at Epet Arena. It was a fifth straight Nations League win for Luis de la Fuente's side.
Spain went ahead in the 39th minute. After the ball struck Lucas Ambrose's hand in the Czech box, the referee awarded a penalty with VAR assistance. Alex Baena scored from the spot.
Spain had an early second-half chance to extend the lead. Yeremy Pino raced into the box from goalkeeper Unai Simon's long kick and scored, but VAR ruled the goal out for offside.
The Czechs then tried to fight back. Ladislav Krejci's high shot went narrowly wide in the 56th minute. In the 68th minute, Adam Hlozek's header struck the crossbar.
After those missed chances the hosts suffered a major blow. Krejci was sent off for a foul in the 72nd minute. He had also been sent off in the 3-1 first-leg loss to Spain in October.
The 10-man Czech side could offer little resistance after that. In the final minute of added time, substitute Marc Pubill doubled the lead. Brought on for Pedro Porro, he scored his second goal for the national team, after his first against Croatia last September.
With five wins from five matches, Spain now have 15 points and top Group 3 of League A. England, who beat Croatia 2-1 at the same time to secure a quarter-final place, have 12 points from four wins. Croatia are third with three points. The Czechs are yet to earn a point.
In all competitions this was Spain's 12th straight win. Alongside the run stretching back to the last World Cup, their unbeaten record has grown to 43 matches.
Spain face England on Sunday in the final group match. The Czechs play Croatia on the same day.
