Heartbreak for the Czech Republic! Ten men eliminated from Euro 2024 as Turkey progress to last 16 despite heroics from Tomas Soucek & Co

In a feisty game, Turkey secured progression to the last 16, thanks in large part to a card-happy refereeing performance.

The Czechs came into the game acutely aware that nothing other than a win would do but they were dealt a bitter blow in the 20th minute, as Antonin Barak was sent off for a second yellow card. His second challenge saw him attempt to play the ball and inadvertently make contact with his opponent's foot, with the referee harshly giving him his marching orders.

Despite being down to 10 men, the Czechs actually had the best chance of the half, as David Jurasek burst beyond the Turkish backline and forced a good save from Mert Gunok.

But Turkey emerged with a renewed purpose and took the lead six minutes after the restart, as Hakan Calhanoglu fired a brilliant low effort into the bottom corner, after Jindrick Stanek had made a brilliant save. In the process of doing so, he appeared to dislocate his shoulder and was substituted.

Turkey should have had a second after the hour mark but Arda Guler could not get on the end of a superb cut-back and within 60 seconds, the Czechs were level, as Tomas Soucek pounced on some terrible goalkeeping from Gunok to equalise.

There was some hope, as a result, of a grandstand finish that could have seen Turkey eliminated but instead, Cenk Tosun scored in injury time to seal Turkey's victory and their progression.

After the full-time both teams clashed, and another red card was brandished, although it was to Tomas Chory, a Czech player, so it will have no impact on the knockout stages.

The Czech Republic and Turkey have played each other at the European Championship twice before, doing so in 2008 and 2016. In 2008, Turkey won 3-2, and in 2016, they won 2-0.

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Soucek was exceptional for the Czechs. They had to play for over an hour with 10 men, and their captain continually cajoled his team-mates, led by example, and scored a goal that gave them hope of a sensational turnaround. It wasn't to be, but the West Ham man proved himself to be a leader of men on Wednesday.

You have to feel for Barak. Not only was he sent off in a vital game for his country, he probably shouldn't have been. Both fouls were soft and it could be argued that another referee wouldn't have carded him for either tackle. Instead, he was sent off. He left the pitch in tears and who can blame him? Had he stayed on, it may well have been a different story.

The Czech Republic, sadly for them, are out. Turkey, by comparison, go through in second place in Group F behind Portugal and will face Austria on July 2 in the round of 16.