Vladimir Coufal in action against Spain

Souček & Coufal maintain unbeaten start

Tomáš Souček won his 50th international cap and Vladimír Coufal joined him in the starting XI as they helped Czech Republic maintain their unbeaten start to the UEFA Nations League by drawing 2-2 with Spain on Sunday evening.

The Hammers duo's team twice led against their visitors in Prague, and although Spain pegged them back, Czech Republic still sit level on points with Group A2 leaders Portugal after two games.

Fresh from defeating Switzerland on Thursday, Souček and Coufal once again started - with the former in his familiar central midfield role and the latter deployed as a right wing-back.

The Czechs started confidently, and Sparta Prague winger Jakub Pešek gave them a fourth minute lead.

Gavi hit back for Spain on the stroke of half-time, but the hosts were undeterred and Jan Kuchta - who was also on target in that victory over Switzerland - restored their lead midway through the second half.

Just as though it looked as though the home side would see out a famous victory, Athletic Bilbao centre back Iñigo Martínez levelled right at the end.

Czech Republic might have been denied all three points, but they have made a positive start to their group stage campaign, ahead of Thursday's trip to face the leaders in Lisbon.

Souček's half-century of Czech caps has included nine goals, while Coufal now has a total of 28 caps and a solitary goal.