Czechs beat Montenegro 3-0 for second straight win

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Euro 2020 Qualifier - Group A - Czech Republic v Montenegro
REUTERS/David W Cerny

Czech Republic eased to a 3-0 win over Montenegro helped by an own goal and a penalty in the second half on Monday as they claimed a second consecutive win in Euro 2020 qualifying.

The victory moved the Czechs level on six points with Group A leaders England, who beat them 5-0 at Wembley in their opening match and have a game in hand having played only twice.

Kosovo are third with five points after claiming their first ever win in a qualifier as they fought back to beat Bulgaria 3-2 thanks to an added time goal by substitute Elba Rashani.

The Czechs opened the scoring against Montenegro in the 18th minute when Jakub Jankto slammed a left-foot volley into the net from a tight angle after Pavel Kaderabek sent over a deep cross.

Their lead was doubled just after the break when Boris Kopitovic deflected Patrik Schick’s cross into his own goal after the forward had rounded a defender.

Schick got the third with a penalty in the 82nd which he smashed home after being sent sprawling in the area.

Montenegro — who fired Serbian coach Ljubisa Tumbakovic on Saturday after he pulled out of Friday’s qualifier against Kosovo which they drew 1-1 — have two points.