Patrik Schick lit up Euro 2020 with a long range stunner, that will be tough to beat for Goal of the Tournament, as Czech Republic took a 2-0 lead against Scotland.
Scotland were hosting the Czechs in their first tournament game since 1998 at Hampden Park, but the visitors weren’t in the mood to welcome them back.
Schick opened the scoring just before half time, with a brilliant header from Vladimír Coufal’s cross, but his second goal will be remembered for a long time.
Jack Hendry’s attempted long range shot was hit straight at Tomas Soucek and ricocheted towards Schick. The Bayer Leverkusen striker took the ball just over the half way line and then unleashed his effort.
Keeper David Marshall, off his line, tried to scamper back but the shot floated perfectly over him and dipped into the goal to make it 2-0.
WHAT. A. GOAL.
Patrik Schick scores for the Czech Republic from the halfway line.#SCO 0-2 #CZE
📲💻📺 Watch live: https://t.co/XJ464KbERY#bbceuros #euro2020 pic.twitter.com/p8DjWwZeVQ
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) June 14, 2021
49.7 – Patrik Schick’s second goal (49.7 yards) is the furthest distance from which a goal has been scored on record at the European Championships (since 1980). Ridiculous.#Euro2020 #CZE #SCOCZE pic.twitter.com/imssf0WAxj
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 14, 2021
ALL the angles of Patrik Schick’s goal of the tourney 🤯 #CZE pic.twitter.com/zypa3aNkyu
— ESPN (@espn) June 14, 2021
Scotland, whose last Euros were in 1996, qualified for the tournament after going into the play-offs via the Nations League, where they topped their group.
They beat Israel in the semi-finals on penalties, who they also beat in the Nations League, before needing another shoot out against Serbia to qualify.
The Scots have never been beyond the group stages of the World Cup or Euros, despite 10 previous attempts.
They next face England at Wembley on Friday night before heading back up north to face Croatia at home in their final group game.
Featured Image Credit: BBC