WROCLAW, Poland (AP) — Petr Jiracek scored a second-half winner to give the Czech Republic a 1-0 victory over Poland on Saturday and a place in the quarterfinals of the European Championship.
Poland, the tournament co-host, was knocked out with its defeat in the team’s final Group A game. The Czechs won the group.
Pushing forward in the 72nd minute, Jiracek collected a pass from Milan Baros in the box, cut right past Poland’s Marcin Wasilewski and slotted the ball inside the far post.
Poland, which had to win to advance, immediately brought on two attacking players in the last 30 minutes to push for a goal, but struggled to create any serious threats.
