Tomas Necid penalty rescues Czechs as flares from fans mar draw against Croatia

Updated 17/06/2016 at 18:47 GMT

Euro 2016, Stade Geoffroy-Guichard - Czech Republic 2 (Skoda 76', Necid 90') Croatia 2 (Perisic 37', Rakitic 59')

Czech Republic's Tomas Necid celebrates after scoring their second goal

Image credit: Reuters

Czech Republic mounted an astonishing comeback to claim a 2-2 draw against Croatia in a match overshadowed by flares and trouble in the stands.

Croatia were cruising at 2-0 with just 15 minutes left to play following goals from Ivan Perisic and Ivan Rakitic, but somehow contrived to throw that away, with Milan Skoda and Tomas Necid scoring late on.

Official reels away after flare goes of near him

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However, the game was marred by crowd trouble in the Croatian end of the stadium, with referee Mark Clattenburg halting play for a few minutes as flares rained down on to the pitch. Players pleaded with fans to stop the unrest, but when play finally resumed Czech Republic made the most of their opponent’s lack of focus.

Croatia could now face punishment from UEFA, who have been hard on fanbases with flares at these championships. A dim view will surely be taken of the fighting between ultras in the stands, whilst Croatia also reflect on two points dropped.

TALKING POINT - Could Croatia face harsh punishment from UEFA?

Everything was going so well for Croatia, but not only did they collapse on the pitch against Czech Republic, their fans might have cost their team dearly in the stands. UEFA have taken a harsh stance against crowd trouble at this tournament and the unrest at this match was unlike anything seen before over the past week. Not even the violence at the Stade Velodrome was this bad, so will Croatia be made to pay?

Flares are thrown onto the pitch by fans as Croatia's Mario Mandzukic and referee Mark Clattenburg look on

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MAN OF THE MATCH - Ivan Rakitic

The Barcelona midfielder might not have collected three points to show for his performance, but he was impressive throughout. Czech Republic struggled to cope with the drive, energy and creativity of Ivan Rakitic, who was the spark from which Croatia’s performance caught light, for the most part. Alongside Luka Modric, he was his side’s engine in the centre of the park.

Croatia's Ivan Rakitic scores their second goal

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PLAYER RATINGS

Czech Republic - Cech 6, Limbersky 5, Hubnik 4, Sivok 5, Kaderabek 5, Darida 5, Plasil 6, Skalak 5, Rosicky 7, Krejci 5, Lafata 5. Subs - Necid 6, Skoda 7, Sural 5.

Croatia - Subasic 5, Strinic 6, Vida 4, Corluka 6, Srna 5, Badelj 6, Modric 6, Rakitic 8, Perisic 7, Brozovic 7, Mandzukic 7. Subs - Schildenfeld 5, Vrsaljko 5, Kovacic 5.

KEY MOMENTS

23’ FLAPPY CECH! That was almost a disaster for the Czech Republic and Arsenal goalkeeper. He didn't deal with a ball into the box and almost fumbled it straight at the feet of Mandzukic.

25’ INCHES AWAY! Mandzukic comes surging forward on the counter attack and squares a pass into Perisic, but the Croatian winger can't stretch far enough and it flashes in and out the box.

31’ SHOT FROM MANDZUKIC! Rakitic threaded through the Croatian striker, who probably should have fed it back, but he takes on the shot himself. It's blocked on the edge of the box, however.

37’ GOAL! Czech Republic 0 Croatia 1: Well, that had been coming! Perisic drives into the penalty area and finds the bottom corner of the Czech Republic net, giving Croatia a deserved 1-0 lead.

Croatia's midfielder Ivan Perisic celebrates with Croatia's midfielder Ivan Rakitic following a goal during the Euro 2016 group D football match between Czech Republic and Croatia at the Geoffroy-Guichard stadium in Saint-Etienne on June 17, 2016.

Image credit: Reuters

39’ WAS THAT A PENALTY? Lafata was quite blatantly brought down 18 yards out from goal, but Clattenburg shakes his head and plays on. It might have been a freekick, but that was a foul.

46’ RAKITIC BLASTS OVER! Pretty much straight from kick-off, the Barcelona midfielder drives towards goal and takes aim. But he sends it over the crossbar from about 25 yards out.

59’ GOAL! Czech Republic 0 Croatia 2: Croatia have themselves a second goal! Hubnik conceded possession cheaply, allowing Rakitic to surge through the centre and chip over Cech.

69’ MANDZUKIC SHOULD HAVE SCORED! A pass through Rakitic eventually ends up at the feet of the striker about eight yards out, but he sends it over the bar when he should have found the net.

77’ GOAL! Czech Republic 1 Croatia 2: Out of nothing, Czech Republic are back in this game! Rosicky crosses into the Croatian box and Skoda does well to head home for his side.

89’ FLARES ON THE PITCH! Play has stopped for the moment as there are a number of flares now on the pitch. This is a real problem for Clattenburg.

A flare is thrown onto the pitch by fans and is picked up by Croatia's Mario Mandzukic

Image credit: Reuters

94’ PENALTY KICK TO CZECH REPUBLIC! Vida had his hand in the air as a cross came into the box and handled it. They have the chance to level from the penalty spot.

95’ GOAL! Czech Republic 2 Croatia 2: Sensational! Czech Republic have equalised in stoppage time and it's another sub! Necid steps up and blasts the spot kick into the roof of the net.