Croatia and Czech Republic faced off in Euro 2016 on Friday with Croatia throwing away the lead to draw 2-2. 

Czech Republic got off to a sloppy start as they gifted Croatia a corner, which Mario Mandzukic met it with his head, forcing an early save from Petr Cech.

Croatia were in complete control in the early stages but failed to create any dangerous chances as Cech gathered a tame effort from range after 11 minutes.

Croatia continued to apply pressure and Ivan Perisic came within inches of scoring as he just couldn’t reach a cross drilled along the floor after 21 minutes.

Croatia continued to probe and Ivan Rakatic forced yet another Cech save. Then, with 37 minutes gone, Perisic finally put the Croatians ahead as he fired across the goalkeeper and into the bottom corner.

The scores remained unchanged as the whistle blew for half time.

Rakatic dragged a shot wide for Croatia just a minute into the second half, but the Czechs then produced their best period of play in the whole match as Danijel Subasic was forced into his first save after 52 minutes.

The Croatians steadily began reasserting their control, then, with 59 minutes gone, Rakatic chipped the ball over an advancing Cech to double the lead.

Cech was on hand to make a vital interception after 63 minutes with Croata threatening again, before Mandzukic missed a glorious chance just three minutes later.

Then, against the run of play, Milan Skoda pulled one back for Czech Republic with a powerful header from distance following a great ball from Tomas Rosicky after 76 minutes.

The game reached a frenetic pace in the final quarter of an hour as Marcelo Brozovic came close after losing his marker in the box.

Then, in extra time, a handball from Domagoj Vida handed the Czechs a penalty. Tomas Necid blasted the resulting spot kick home, dramatically tying the scores at 2-2 at the final whistle.

Photo: Reuters