Vladimir Coufal versus Turkey

Coufal, Souček and Benrahma all feature in international action

Tomáš Souček, Vladimír Coufal and Saïd Benrahma were all in international action for their respective nations in Saturday's pre-2022 FIFA World Cup friendlies. 

Souček and Coufal were both named in the starting XI for the Czech Republic as they took on Turkey at the Gaziantep Stadium, with midfielder Souček once again donning the captain's armband for the national team. 

Hosts Turkey took the lead just after the half-an-hour mark as former Manchester City player Enes Ünal struck, giving the home side a half-time advantage. But the Czech Republic levelled ten minutes into the second half. 

Full-back Coufal was involved in the finish, setting the ball back from the right flank for winger Václav Černý. The attacker tried his luck from distance, with his seemingly saveable effort bamboozing Turkey goalkeeper Doğan Alemdar and finding the net. 

Despite the Czech Republic's best efforts, it was Turkey who would score next and take the win as captain Hakan Çalhanoğlu powered in a low effort from a tight angle. 
 

Saïd Benrahma scores at London Stadium

The result means the Czech Republic have lost five of their last six matches in all competitions. 

Elsewhere, Benrahma was a late substitute for Algeria in a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Sweden. 

The home side took the lead very late in the first half courtesy of Emil Forsberg's penalty, and doubled their advantage on 47 minutes thanks to Viktor Claesson. 

Hammers playmaker Benrahma was introduced on 77 minutes in place of Youcef Belaïli but was unable to help his side turn the tide at the Eleda Stadion in Malmö.

 

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