Clinical Necid cheers Czechs

Early lead
The striker scored twice against Belgium to add to his double against Serbia and Montenegro but also collected a second yellow card of the tournament in the 21 minute. By that time, the Czech Republic were ahead. Dominant from the start, they broke the deadlock on eleven minutes when the Belgium defence failed to deal with a cross from the right and the ball ran to Petr Wojnar who lobbed goalkeeper Tom Vandenbossche from 16 metres. The Czech siege had paid early dividends.

Missed chances
Wojnar and Jan Vošahlík would waste further chances before the half was out, while the Red Devils, who started with Maurizio 'Loco' Aquino - a goalscoring substitute against Serbia and Montenegro - in attack, missed opportunities that fell to Toby Alderweireld and Aquino himself. The worry for Belgium, however, was that they had failed to trouble Czech Republic goalkeeper Marek Štěch.

Decisive blow
Half-time brought a fillip with news that Germany were leading 3-0 against the Serbo-Montenegrins, which meant the Belgians could still go through with a victory. However, any positive thinking was set back by Necid's goal two minutes after the restart. One on one with the goalkeeper, he coolly outwitted Vandenbossche.

Late rally
Belgium continued to press, in hope rather than expectation, but seemed to lack to know-how to break through the Czech back line. Necid showed them how to do it on 72 minutes when he converted a through-pass from Jan Hable. The Belgians finally got some reward for their efforts soon after when substitute Mehdi Carcela-Gonzalez shot home accurately after goalkeeper Štěch failed to hold a high ball. It was, however, too little, too late.