Czech Republic 2-2 Croatia: Milan Skoda and Tomas Necid combine to complete memorable comeback for Pavel Vrba's side
- Ivan Perisic took the lead for Croatia when his well-placed left-footed shot beat goalkeeper Petr Cech
- Ivan Rakitic extended Croatia's lead in the second half when he dinked the ball easily yet beautifully over Cech
- Milan Skoda got a goal back for Czech Republic when his fine header looped over goalkeeper Danijel Subasic
- Tomas Necid completed the comeback in the 94th minute when he converted from the penalty spot
- Match was halted when Croatia supporters threw flares on the pitch which forced Mark Clattenburg to step in
- DAILY MAIL
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A flare exploded in a steward’s face as Croatia fans threw fireworks on to the pitch and fought among themselves during their draw with the Czech Republic.
UEFA will open disciplinary proceedings on Saturday after receiving referee Mark Clattenburg’s report into the incident and Croatia’s players fear they will be expelled from the tournament.
Croatia were leading 2-1 when a co-ordinated attack resulted in at least 15 flares being thrown from one corner of the ground. Despite players coming over to plead with their own fans, objects continued to be thrown towards them and the stewards who were trying to clear the pitch. One firecracker went off so loudly that a steward threw himself to the ground.
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The pitch in Saint-Etienne was showered with flares as the game was seemingly trickling away with Croatia leading 2-1
The stands, which were previously peaceful, were suddenly filled with acrimony, and the disturbance seemed to spread to the team
Captain Darijo Srna appeals to fans and looks to ask why the disturbance occurred, with Croatia seemingly on course for the last-16
Croatia players plead with their fans towards the end of the game after a number of flares were thrown from the area they were housed
Stewards attend to the flares as the match descended into chaos with referee Mark Clattenburg briefly halting proceedings
The Group D match had to be suspended when flares littered the pitch and smoke filled the air inside Stade Geoffrey-Guichard
Croatia striker Mario Mandzukic narrowly misses being hit by a flare as he speaks with English referee Clattenburg
Mandzukic, who plays for Juventus, had to be escorted off the pitch in Saint-Etienne as Clattenburg decided to take the players off
Players and fire marshalls attempt to clear the part of the pitch where flares were thrown as referee Clattenburg watches on
Stewards and fire safety staff attempt to clear up the flares that had been thrown onto the pitch as the players plead with their fans
One fire marshall points to his eye as he speaks to his colleagues after safely cleaning up the flares on the pitch
Fighting broke out between what appeared to be Croatian supporters and matchday stewards inside the stadium that had been calm
Gerdarmerie were called to position themselves at the bottom of where a section of Croatian supporters had been based
Clattenburg halted play for several minutes and an announcement warned supporters that the match would be called off if the scenes continued — only for scuffles to break out in the stands.
Croatia already face disciplinary action over fans running on to the pitch and letting off flares in their opening game against Turkey, and their final match against Spain on Tuesday may now be in doubt. Midfielder Ivan Rakitic said: ‘We have to see if we will play against Spain, maybe they will send us home after this.
‘There are a lot more fans that love the national team and they will not be able to see Croatia play. We were lucky that the match went on. We lost our pace when play was suspended because of our supporters.’
The troublemakers were branded ‘sports terrorists’ by Croatia manager Ante Cacic, while his predecessor Slaven Bilic expressed his sadness at their behaviour.
Czech Republic players celebrate after Tomas Necid's penalty in 92nd minute completed a memorable comeback against Czech Republic
Experienced midfielder Tomas Rosicky urged his team-mates to carry on after they had brought the score back to 2-1 after 75 minutes
Ivan Perisic took the lead for Croatia after 36 minutes when he fired a well-placed left-footed shot past goalkeeper Petr Cech
Perisic's goal proved to be the difference between the two sides as both looked to gain a foothold in a group dominated by Spain
Ivan Rakitic dinks the ball over the top of Czech Republic goalkeeper Petr Cech to extend Croatia's lead to 2-0 after 58 minutes
Rakitic is joined by Mario Mandzukic as the pair ran over to celebrate with the Croatia fans after making the scoreline 2-0 in their favour
It was a colourful scene as Croatia fans wearing their traditional colours of red and white celebrated Rakitic's fine goal in the second half
Cacic said: ‘I call it terror. I call them hooligans. They are not supporters. Their place is not in the stadium. These are sports terrorists — and they do what they want to do. It hurts so much.
‘The 95 per cent of (real) Croatian supporters are ashamed in front of Europe. Our players are really sad.This is maybe just a question about six to 10 individuals. I hope they can be identified and punished.’
Bilic, now the manager of West Ham and a Sportsmail columnist during Euro 2016, said on ITV: ‘It is very sad that we have to talk about this. We have an issue. It started six, seven, eight years ago. There are many fans who are against the Croatian FA and we are paying fines all the time. We have played games behind closed doors. It is unbelievable what those fans are doing.
‘There is a riot between themselves. You can see the majority of the fans telling them not to do it. But some of them are on a mission. It is probably not the last time they will do it.
‘They think the Croatian FA rarely plays in Split, they think it’s all about Zagreb. It is a clash between the north and the south.’
Croatia blew a 2-0 lead in the last 15 minutes as they were denied the chance to qualify for the second round. Ivan Perisic and Rakitic put them in control only for Milan Skoda to pull one back.
And, after play resumed, Domagoj Vida’s handball led to a penalty for the Czech Republic, which was scored by Tomas Necid in stoppage time.
Goalscorer Perisic, who was almost hit by objects as he tried to calm fans, said: ‘Maybe it’s best that we don’t play at all than that these things keep happening.’
In qualifying for Euro 2016, Croatia were twice sanctioned for throwing dozens of flares on to the pitch against Italy in Milan. The next home game, against Norway in Zagreb, was marred by racist chanting and Croatia were handed a stadium closure by UEFA for the reverse fixture against the Italians in Split last June.
Two days before that match, a chemical agent was used to imprint a swastika on the pitch, which resulted in Croatia being punished further.
Perisic was the subject of a number of heavy tackles that were dished out by several Czech Republic players including Ladislav Krejci
Croatia, fresh from their win over Turkey, threatened during the first half with Milan Badelj doing his best to convert for his side
Darijo Srna, playing in his natural right-wing back position, made a difference for Ante Cacic's side by linking up play with Brozovic
Badelj (left) was responsible for defending the midfield but did receive a booking when he caught Vladimir Darida with his left elbow
Milan Skoda gave Czech Republic hope when his looping header made its way past Croatia goalkeeper Danijel Subasic
Goalkeeper Subasic could only fall into the back of his own net as Czech Republic sensed a thrilling comeback was on the cards
Croatia's Domagoj Vida gave away a penalty in stoppage time when handled the ball inside the box as Tomas Sivok challenged for the ball
Tomas Necid converted from the penalty spot to cap a fantastic effort by Czech Republic to get the scores level when all looked lost
Necid (right) is joined by Ladislav Krejci (centre) and Skoda as they celebrate coming back from two goals down to a 2-2 draw
Srna's father passed away last week and the defender appeared very emotional during the national anthems before the Group D match
Czech Republic supporters were in superb voice before the game as they kept hopes alive of recording a victory against Croatia
The Croatian supporters were relaxed ahead of kick-off and even allowed themselves to get a little carried away as they dreamed of last-16
The supporters in the stands, particularly those in red and white, didn't look nervous at all before both teams headed on the pitch
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3647072/Czech-Republic-2-2-Croatia-Milan-Skoda-Tomas-Necid-combine-complete-memorable-comeback-Pavel-Vrba-s-side.html#ixzz4BtWxOmZO
