Hlozek on target as Czech Republic stun Georgia in Nations League
The Czechs needed three points to guarantee top spot, and broke the deadlock in the third minute, as three forwards combined brilliantly to tear open the Georgian defence.
Jan Kliment expertly back-heeled Adam Hložek’s ball into the path of Pavel Šulc, who applied a clinical left-footed finish past Giorgi Mamardashvili.
Luka Lochoshvil looked to provide a response for the visitors with a close-range effort which Matěj Kovář parried over the bar.
However, Ivan Hašek’s side doubled their lead courtesy of Hložek’s first goal of this UEFA Nations League campaign.
The Hoffenheim forward was brought down by Lasha Dvali on the edge of the area, and duly dispatched the subsequent free-kick after exploiting a gap in the Georgian wall.
Václav Jemelka was not far away from extending the hosts’ lead, with Georgia indebted to Mamardashvili for making an outstanding reflex save at his near post after his defence failed to clear Vladimír Coufal’s initial cross.
Willy Sagnol’s side were inches away from halving the deficit late on in the half, as Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s curling strike clipped the post.
The frenetic nature of this contest continued after the break with early chances for both teams.
Kovář was called into action to push away another Kvaratskhelia effort, while Mamardashvili managed to prevent Václav Černý’s shot from squirming beneath him following a fine solo run by the Rangers midfielder.
But on the balance of play, it would have been hard to begrudge Georgia a goal, and Georges Mikautadze entered the fray to halve the deficit.
The Lyon forward clinically fired home a brilliant first-time right-footed strike past Kovář after being expertly picked out by Otar Kakabadze on the hour mark.
Georgia were dominating possession for much of the second half, but failed to translate most of that time on the ball into goalscoring chances.
Budu Zivzivadze was twice denied by Kovář late on, as Hašek’s men held on for a narrow win to seal promotion.
Meanwhile, Georgia now face a relegation play-off in March to maintain their League B status having now gone four games without a win.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Vladimír Coufal (Czech Republic)
