CZE: Jan Suchoparek (4), Pavel Kuka (19), Vladimir Smicer (89).

RUS: Alexander Mostovoi (49), Omari Tetradze (54), Vladimir Beschastnykh (85).

CZE: Kouba; Latal, Kubik, Hornak, Suchoparek, Bejbl; Poborsky, Nedved, Nemec, Berger; KUKA (Smicer).

RUS: Cherchesov; Nikiforov, Tetradze, Gorlukovich, Yanovskiy; Simutenkov (Mostovoi), Khokhlov, Radimov, Tsymbalar (Shalimov); Karpine, Kolyvanov (Beschastnykh).

REFEREE: Andres Frisk (Sweden).

AUDIENCE: 20.000, Anfield, Liverpool.

YELLOW CARDS: Nedved, Nemec (Czech Republic); Nikiforov, Radimov, Tsimbalar, Yanovskiy (Russia).

RED CARDS: NONE.

The best game of the tournament brought us 6 goals and a wonderful drama at the end, the Russians scoring three consecutive goals to take the lead finally 5 minutes from time, but the Czech Republic equalizing 90 seconds from time to advance, eliminating Italy on its way.

The first half was the best of the Czechs in this tournament. A deadly free kick by Kubik (4) was parried by Cherchesov to a corner, Berger performed it, and Suchoparek headed the ball home, 1:0. 15 minutes have passed, and Kuka used the pass of Poborsky from 70 meters (!) to head it in an arc above the hesitant Cherchesov from 14 meters, a wonderful goal to bring 2:0 to the Czechs. Nedved bombed the ball to the bar, Poborsky hit the bar from the right wing, and the shot of Berger from the free kick was deflected by Cherchesov to his left post. The Russians hadn't had a single opportunity then.

The situation changed after the break. Mostovoi headed it home (49), and then Omari Tetradze used the confusion in the Czech box to equalize (54), 2:2. Poborsky shot another ball to the post, and then the Russians took a lead, through a wonderful strike of Vladimir Beschastnykh from 32 meters to the right high corner of Kouba. However, the young substitute Vladimir Smicer equalized from 16 meters. The Czechs enter the quarterfinals, and God, they deserve it.

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