Vladimír Coufal and Tomáš Souček put in starring performances as the Czech Republic claimed a 3-1 win over Poland.
The Czechs got their UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying campaign off to the best start on Friday evening, securing three points at the Sinobo Stadium in Prague.
Both captain Souček and Coufal started Friday’s fixture and, in an incredible opening, Coufal was involved straight from the opening minute, sending in a ball that allowed Ladislav Krejčí to open the scoring inside 60 seconds.
The Czechs grabbed a second after just three minutes, as Sparta Prague forward Tomáš Čvančara netted, before a third was scored in the second half by Jan Kuchta, who latched onto a ball played by former Hammer Alex Kral.
Coufal was substituted on 71 minutes in place of David Doudera, while Poland pulled a goal back three minutes from time thanks to Damian Szymański.
Coufal and Souček were the only two senior Hammers in international action during Friday’s round of fixtures. Goalkeeper Alphonse Areola was a named substitute for France as they strolled to a 4-0 win over the Netherlands.
At Academy level, Ollie Scarles earned his first start for England U18s but was unable to help the young side avoid a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Belgium U18s.
The versatile 17-year-old started his first game for the national team U18s in midfield in Croatia, but Enock Atta Agyei's free-kick gave Belgium the advantage on 17 minutes.
Jobe Bellingham had the chance to level from the penalty spot for England, only to see his effort saved by Mike Penders. Ten minutes later, Belgium doubled their lead through Chemsdine Talbi.
The result was secured in the second half when Malick Fofana added a third for Belgium.
Scarles and his U18s teammates will conclude their camp in Croatia with a match against Switzerland on Monday 27 March.
