Czech Republic secures victory over Ukraine with 3-2 win in Nations League

In a thrilling Nations League match, Pavel Sulc's two first-half goals propelled the Czech Republic to a 3-2 victory over Ukraine in Prague. The hosts secured the win with a late penalty, sealing a hard-fought victory in a game that saw both teams showcasing their attacking prowess with numerous scoring opportunities.

The Czechs, with a revamped lineup following a 4-1 thrashing by Georgia, struck first when Sulc re-directed a Vaclav Cerny shot past Ukraine goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin.

Ukraine kept pushing forward and equalised in the 37th minute when Vladyslav Vanat headed home after Mykola Shaparenko whipped in a cross from the left flank.

Sulc netted his second for the Czechs just before the break when he brought the ball down with his chest and hammered a volley into the net. Captain Tomas Soucek extended their lead with an 80th-minute penalty before Georgiy Sudakov pulled a goal back for Ukraine.

Ukraine remain winless in Group B1 while the Czechs notched their first victory. The Czechs next host Albania while Ukraine face Georgia in October.