USA 0 - Czech Republic 3

• In the USA this game was as the battle between the second best team in the World (Czech Rep) and the fifth (USA) - thanks once again to our belovedly inacurate FIFA rankings!
• The rest of the world saw it as a game that the USA must try to at least draw to have any realistic chance of getting through a group that also includes the experienced Italians.

Ultimately the American's found themselves down by two goals by the end of the half (which would probably have left and Yankee new to the WC perplexed as to how two 'closely' matched teams could not at least be drawing). Even without goal scorer (and Euro '04 Golden Boot winner) Milan Baros (injured), the Czexh Republic have a squad worthy of challenging this year and goals by two of their stars the ever reliable Jan Koller after 5 minutes and another by the up-and-coming Tomas Rosicky ten minutes from half-time.

Joy for the Czechs undoubtly disappeared, however, when they saw their talisman stricker stretched off the field just before half time. One must think that the Czech will be hoping that if Koller isn't fit for their next game then Baros will be.

With Vratislav Lokvenc on for Koller there may have just been a little hope in the USA team who were having the lion's share of possession. However, the USA only having one shot on goal to the Czechs four it was inevitable that the Eurpoeans would add to their tally, and Rosicky scored his second on 76 minutes. At this point a draw was beyond all possibilities and damage control took over; goal difference could play a big part in this group if the USA manage a draw with the Italians, and 3-0 would be the biggest goal difference in the tournament thus far.

The US, however, fell flat and ended the game without a goal. On the other hand, the Czechs start the group well and will be pleased with a strong win, that will instill confidence and give them a great chance to top this group. Rosikcy joins the quartet of Bravo (MEX), Cahill (AUS), Klose (GER) and Paulo Wanchope (CRC) at the top of the forwards wable with his brace. Their only concern now, however, will be the extent of the injury to Koller and how many (if any) games he will miss.

Match Photos: 1 2 | Highlights Video | Virtual Replay

Match Reports:

• FIFA
• Sporting Life
• BBC