Czechs beat Ukraine 3-2 in Nations League

PRAGUE: Two first-half goals from Pavel Sulc led the Czech Republic to a 3-2 win over Ukraine in the Nations League on Tuesday, with a late penalty securing victory for the hosts in a game in which both sides created numerous chances.

The Czechs, who started in a new line-up after their 4-1 defeat to Georgia, struck first when Sulc deflected a shot from Vaclav Cerny past Ukrainian goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin.

Ukraine continued to push forward and equalised in the 37th minute when Vladyslav Vanat headed in a cross from Mykola Shaparenko from the left.

Sulc scored his second goal for the Czechs just before half-time, chesting the ball and volleying it into the net. Captain Tomas Soucek increased the lead with a penalty in the 80th minute before Georgiy Sudakov pulled one back for Ukraine.

Ukraine remains winless in Group B1, while the Czechs recorded their first victory. The Czechs next host Albania, while Ukraine face Georgia in October.