Czech Republic vs England, Euro 2020 Qualifiers: 4 Things we learned from the match

The first loss inflicted upon England in European Qualifiers for 10 years came at the hands of a gritty Czech Republic that stifled the Three Lions at every turn.

This result puts both these sides on equal points at the top of the group, although, England have played one fewer game.

Led by Harry Kane, England got off to the dream start as the forward put Raheem Sterling through on goal early in the game and Manchester City winger was brought down in the box. Kane's faultless penalty gave his side a lead which they couldn't hold on to for long as only in the 9th minute the Czech would equalise from a corner.

A sublime display from the home side kept England largely at bay as they struggled to create chances. When they did, Vaclik was on top of his game to deny them. At the other end, Pickford was kept busy too and it took some immense save from him to keep Gareth Southgate's England in the game.

The dam broke in the 85th minute when a cutback found the debutant Ondrasek unmarked near the penalty spot and the substitute made no mistake in dispatching the chance. A win would've sealed England's place at Euro 2020, but the wait goes on for the Three Lions.

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#4 Patrick Schick's class act

A team performance exemplified by a sublime Schick

While England were sluggish at best, an inspired Patrick Schick ran rings around most of the English backline. He ran the channels, switched sides and ran down the wing and the defence led by Maguire and Keane could barely keep track of him.

It was his incisive running that pushed the visitors back and allowed the Czech to dominate for large spells of the game while England struggled.

#3 England loses the midfield battle

England were outnumbered and outrun in midfield

The midfield pivot set out by Gareth Southgate struggled all game against a packed midfield from the Czech. Rice and Henderson were simply outnumbered and received little support from their attackers who were too occupied with trying to run beyond the striker to really support their midfield duo.

On the other hand, led by Darida, the Czech midfield were magnificent. Soucek and Kral harassed the England attackers and seamlessly linked midfield and attack. Not only were they constantly outnumbering the England midfield, but they successfully navigated England's poor attempts to press them.

On occasion, it seemed like England had forgotten how to play and the Czech trio ran the show. They easily found Patrick Schick who mixed up the play with some good holding up as well as showing his ability to turn and run at the England defence causing them trouble.

#2 Nervy England on set-pieces

Celustka found Brabec from a set-piece to equalise for the Czech

Gareth Southgate's unit was slow in build-up and tested the Czech Republic backline only on occasion. Yet it wasn't their worst feature on the night, they were nightmarish on defending corners. There seemed to be no plan in terms of man-marking or zonal defending which constantly exposed England but they were lucky only to concede from one of the set pieces.

Jankto's corner found Celustka close to the penalty spot and the full-back, who was in space thanks to Declan Rice who had taken a tumble, found Brabec who managed to direct the ball into the back of the net. Micheal Keane just stood and watched as his opponent reacted, which was emblematic of England's defending on set-pieces.

Every time the Czech went forward and won a corner or a freekick, the England marking looked susceptible and had it not been for Pickford, Czech Republic may have finished the game off earlier.

#1 One dimensional England

The England full-backs were ineffective in attack

Here's England's plan: Cycle the ball around till Sancho, Sterling and Mount have all positioned themselves to run beyond the Czech backline. Harry Kane coming into midfield and playing a quick ball beyond him to try and find one of the three runs. Repeat.

Apart from that one tactic, England really struggled to create anything at all. It worked in the fourth minute, but beyond that they failed to create. They changed tack in the second half, but by the time they were trying to start focusing a little more on the wings, their opposition was already starting to get more of a foothold in the game.

Towards the end of the game, Raheem Sterling and Ross Barkley managed to inject some creativity into the play and it looked like England may just be able to nick something when the Czech struck. Following that it was just good management by the home side that took them across the line.