Czech Rep v Latvia 15/06/2004 17:00

Czech Republic left it late but emerged with a win following a hard fought match with Latvia at Aveiro's Estadio Municipal on Tuesday evening.

The Czechs bossed the opening 45 minutes but were shocked on the stroke of half-time when Maris Verpakovskis put the Baltic minnows ahead from close range.

For much of the second half the Latvians looked set to hold on against a Czech onslaught but after 73 minutes Milan Baros drilled in an equaliser for the Euro 96 finalists.

And the comeback was complete with six minutes remaining when substitute Marek Heinz sealed the points after Baros had unsettled the Latvian defence.

In truth, it was a deserved result for Karel Brückner's side, who registered 28 shots attempts at goal, in comparison to Latvia's seven.

The game represented the first meeting between the two teams, though this entertaining match will have given both sets of supporters, and neutrals alike, a taste for more.