Czech Rep 1-0 Poland: Petr Jiracek the hero as Czechs dispose of Poland

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Petr Jiracek wheels away after netting the decisive goal against Poland in Wroclaw© REUTERS/Dominic Ebenbichler

Co-hosts Poland crashed out at the group stages as the Czech Republic put themselves into the quarter finals.

The unfancied Czechs join Greece in getting out of Group A after an enterprising second half which saw Petr Jiracek write himself at the hero.

Poland are left bottom of the group without a win and continue their record of never recording a victory in the European Championship finals.

The Poles, who kept faith with Przemyslaw Tyton in favour of Wojciech Szczesny, who returned from suspension, began the better of the teams. Robert Lewandowski was being fed well by Jakub Blaszczkowski and Ludovic Obraniak.

The Czech battled back though, with Theodor Gebre Selassie a constant thorn in his opponents' side and the match saw two enterprising teams attacking each other.

A combination of strong defending and poor finishing kept the Czechs and Poles level at half time.

Michal Bilek's half time team talk must have fired up his side, as Czech Republic dominated proceedings.

The midfield trio of Petr Jiracek, Daniel Kolar and Vaclav Pilar pulled the strings, creating chances in behind the Polish defensive line.

The pressure told after 72 minutes when Jiracek bagged the opening goal for the second consecutive match. The Wolsburg playmaker found space in the box to place a right foot shot beyond the reach of Przemyslaw Tyton.

Some direct but aimless pressure from Poland failed to tell and a terrific Michal Kadlec clearance off the line in injurt time gave the Czech Republic a deserved victory.

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