Tomas Soucek’s goal was unfortunately not enough for his home nation as defeat meant they finished rock bottom of Group F in Euro 2024.

After defeat against Portugal and a 1-1 draw with Georgia, the Czechs had to win against Turkey to stay in the tournament. Sadly for West Ham’s Tomas Soucek and Vladimir Coufal, the loss against Turkey confirmed their exit from the competition.

Soucek and Coufal both started the game in Hamburg. The two Hammer’s international colleague, Antonin Barak, who is a midfielder that plays in Serie A for Fiorentina, gave the Czech Republic a mountain to climb having been sent off after just twenty minutes and receiving the fastest red card in the history of the Euros.

The Czech Republic did not let this early red card affect their game plan however, they stood firm, remained resolute and proved hard to break down. They could have even gone into the half time break 1-0 in front after an effort from David Jurasek forced a stop from Turkish keeper Mert Gunok.

Turkey went in front six minutes into the second half thanks to a goal from Inter Milan midfielder and Turkish captain Hakan Calhanoglu who fired his strike low into the bottom corner. Having volleyed home from six yards out, Hammers midfielder Tomas Soucek would level the time making it 1-1 with less than twenty five minutes left to be played.

Both teams looked for a winner as the game drew to a close, unfortunately for Hammers duo Soucek and Coufal, it was Turkey, thanks to Cenk Tosun, who would find that winning goal and stab a dagger into the hearts of the Czech supporters as their Euro 2024 journey came to an end.

In what ended up being quite a feisty affair, there were a Euros record of 18 yellow cards given out, the Czech’s also saw a second red card as substitute Tomas Choury was sent off at the final whistle.

Although their Euros has come to an end, both Tomas Soucek and Vladimir Coufal can leave the tournament proudly, knowing they gave their all for the nation. Both Hammers played in every minute of the Czech Republic’s campaign, with Soucek scoring a goal and Coufal providing an assist.