England suffered their first tournament qualifying defeat for 10 years as they lost 2-1 away to the Czech Republic in their Euro 2020 qualifying Group A clash on Friday.
In apparent design to ensure that striker Tammy Abraham is lost ever by Nigeria, the player was brought in two minutes to end regulation time as he replaced Declan Rise in the 88th minute.
Such way, some players of Nigerian origin had in the past gotten their international career truncated with cameo appearances for England.
The match was heading to a 1-1 draw before Czech’s substitute player, Zdenek Ondrasek grabbed the winner five minutes from time when he confidently fired past keeper Jordan Pickford after Lukas Masopust burst down the right and picked him out.
Harry Kane had put England ahead with a penalty in the fifth minute after Raheem Sterling was brought down by Masopust.
But the Czechs drew level four minutes later when Jakub Brabec turned the ball home at the back post after the ball fell to him when Ondrey Celustka beat Michael Keane to a corner.
Pickford did well to tip over a dangerous dipping shot from Masopust on the hour but chances were rare until Ondrasek popped up inside the area to end England’s unbeaten qualifying run. The result means the Czechs join group leaders England on 12 points with four wins, although they have played one game more.
