Czech Republic snatch late point against Latvia

Czech Republic needed a 90th-minute leveller from Vaclav Pilar to secure a point in a 1-1 draw against Latvia in their Euro 2016 Group A qualifier on Saturday.

Czech Republic, who had Premier League duo Petr Cech and Tomas Rosicky in their starting XI, were fortunate not to concede after just three minutes when Kaspars Gorkss met a corner from Arturs Zjuzins, but the defender's effort just missed the post in what was an early warning.

The home side had the game's next two chances, but neither Jaroslav Plasil nor David Lafata could threaten Andris Vanins in the Lativa goal.

The visitors continued to threaten in the final third and had their reward after 30 minutes when Aleksejs Visnakovs capitalised on some poor Czech defending to slide a shot under Cech after a fine pass from Zjuzins.

Czech Republic remained frustrated as the interval approached and Lativa came close to a second when Zjuzins's curling corner appeared to catch out Cech, but the Chelsea goalkeeper managed to make the save.

Lafata had a golden chance to level the scores five minutes into the second period, but the attacker rattled the crossbar as Latvia kept their one-goal lead in tact approaching the hour.

Czech Republic continued to threaten as the half progressed, but both Pilar and Lafata missed excellent opportunities.

Latvia had another clear-cut opportunity when Deniss Rakels struck a rising effort from outside the box, but Cech managed to make the save as the score remained 1-0 approaching the final 15 minutes.

Theodor Gebre Selassie and Vaclav Kadlec came close for the home side late on, but it was Pilar that made the vital breakthrough in the 90th minute as the 26-year-old converted from close range after Vaclav Prochazka had been denied by Vanins.

Czech Republic remain top of the group on 13 points, while Latvia have taken just three points from their five games.