Brilliant Czechs bounce back to clinch quarter-final place

Netherlands' defender Wilfred Bouma (R) vies with Czech Republic's forward Jan Koller at Aveiro's stadium, during their Euro 2004 group D football match.

The Czech Republic produced one of the greatest comebacks in European Championships history when they clawed back a two-goal deficit to beat the Netherlands 3-2.

The Czechs became the first country to book a quarter-final place thanks to substitute Vladimir Smicer's 88th minute winner at the end of an enthralling match.

Germany were held to a goalless draw by Latvia in the other Group D match, giving the Baltic state their first point in an international tournament.

The Czechs, beaten finalists in 1996, qualify from Group D after taking a maximum six points from two matches, Germany are second on two points while the Dutch have a single point and must beat Latvia on Wednesday while hoping Germany lose or draw with the Czechs.

The Netherlands had raced into a two-goal lead within 19 minutes with a header from Wilfred Bouma and a close-range shot from Ruud Van Nistelrooy.

Jan Koller pulled the first goal back for the Czechs after Baros intercepted a terrible pass from Phillip Cocu and fed his giant strike partner for a simple tap-in to make it 2-1 at half-time.

Netherlands' forward Ruud Van Nistelrooij (R) heads off the ball in front of Czech Republic's goalkeeper Petr Cech (C) and teammate forward Jan Koller at Aveiro's stadium.

With man-of-the-match Pavel Nedved orchestrating the midfield, the Czechs drew level in the 71st minute of the best match of the tournament so far.

Nedved's left-wing cross was chested down by Koller and Baros smashed a half-volley past Dutch keeper Edwin van der Sar.

The Dutch were reduced to ten men when defender Johnny Heitinga received a second yellow card after fouling Nedved.

A memorable comeback was completed five minutes from time when Marek Heinz fired in a low shot that van der Sar pushed away only for Karel Poborsky to collect the rebound and square for Smicer to tap in.

"It was a fantastic evening and a fantastic match for us," Nedved said. "The way we came back after going two goals behind was extraordinary."

Dutch coach Dick Advocaat was wondering how his side lost a pulsating match.

"We had several goal-scoring chances and could have won this match 3-1 or 4-1.

"Three or four times in the second half we were in scoring positions but we couldn't find the net.

Netherlands' goalkeeper Edwin Van Der Sar misses the goal of Czech Republic's midfielder Vladimir Smicer at Aveiro's stadium, during their Euro 2004 group D football match.

"Now we have to beat Latvia and hope that the Czechs play a proper game against Germany."

Germany left their hopes of reaching the last eight hanging in the balance after debutants Latvia held the three-time European champions to a 0-0 draw in Oporto.

Substitute Miroslav Klose wasted a golden chance to win the match when he headed wide in the final minute when completely unmarked.

Latvia could have pulled off a famous victory if English referee Mike Riley had awarded two reasonable appeals for penalties when Maris Verpakovskis was fouled twice inside the area.

German coach Rudi Voller said his team had given their all.

"We knew it would be hard, but I can't criticise the team.

"They tried everything and Klose had a great chance at the end.

"The situation is clear and we will play against the Czechs in a knockout match."

Host nation Portugal must beat arch-enemies Spain in a highly charged Group A decider in Lisbon on Sunday when surprise packages Greece only need a draw against Russia in Faro to reach the last eight of an international tournament for the first time in their history.