UEFA Under-21 European Qualifier
Czechia 2-0 Scotland 
Friday, 5 September 2025 
City Stadium, Uherské Hradište

Scorers

Czechia 2 (22’ Kričfaluši, 71' (p) Eduardo)

Scotland 0

Team News

A successful week of training meant that Head Coach Scot Gemmill had a full roster to choose his starting XI from for this opening UEFA Under-21 European qualifier.

First competitive starts at this level came for a number of the players, including Liam McFarlane, Luke Graham, Colby Donovan, Aidan Borland, Cameron Gardner and James Wilson.

David Watson, meanwhile, took the captain’s armband at the beginning of this new campaign.

As It Happened

Czechia had a chance right from the off, as smart interplay saw Ambros strike low, but wide form the left-side of the Scotland box.

The next 20 minutes were fought largely in the middle of the park, with the home side fashioning the next chance, this time working space on the right side of the Scotland box, allowing Vojta to shoot from a tight angle, the effort going wide of the post.

Moments later Czechia won a free kick on the left. The resulting cross into the box found Kričfaluši, who glanced a header past McFarlane to open the scoring.A long pause was forced close to half time, as McFarlane was treated following a foul by Mašek. As a result, the Scotland No.1 had to be replaced by Ruaridh Adams.

The prolonged stoppage meant seven minutes of added time were played before the referee blew for half time.

Two half-time changes saw Sam Cleall-Harding and Kristi Montgomery replace Jeremiah Chiolokoa-Mullen and Aidan Borland.

The home side started the half on the front foot, forcing Adams into a good save with his right hand early on.

Our first two shots of the game came shortly after; Daniel Kelly with the first, seeing a low shot blocked after a headed cutback, before Wilson drove into the box and shot on the angle, this time the ball going wide of goal.

Ryan Oné made an instant impact off the bench after replacing Gardner, latching on to a ball over the top to fire a shot from a tight angle on the right, forcing the Czech goalkeeper to beat the ball away.

In the 67th minute there was a remarkable period of play, as Czechia were awarded a penalty kick. Adams saved the spot kick from Kričfaluši but was judged to be off his line.

Adams saved again when Vojta retook, but another retake was ordered by the referee. On the third attempt, Eduardo scored to double Czechia’s lead.

Despite pushing until the end, Scotland were kept to nil, meaning the opening game on the journey to the 2026 UEFA Under-21 European Championships ended in defeat.

Scotland Team

Scotland: Liam McFarlane (GK) (OFF, ’42), Ben McPherson, Luke Graham, Jeremiah Chilokoa-Mullen (OFF, ’46), Colby Donovan, Matthew Anderson, Aidan Borland (OFF, ’46), Daniel Kelly (OFF, '83), David Watson ©, James Wilson, Cameron Gardner (OFF, ’60).

Substitutes: Ruairidh Adams (GK) (ON, ’42), Dire Mebude, Emilio Lawrence, Kristi Montgomery (ON, ’46), Robbie Ure, Sam Cleall-Harding (ON, ’46), Ryan Oné (ON, ’60), Findlay Curtis (ON, '83), Miller Thomson.

Next-up

A home tie is next-up for Scot Gemmill’s side, as they host Portugal at Fir Park. Tickets are on sale now here.