The Czech Republic secured a 2-0 victory against Montenegro, earning a three-point lead at the top of FIFA World Cup qualifying Group L. This was their ninth win in their last 10 home matches in Plzeň.

Both teams went into the match with a perfect record from their first two games, but the hosts struggled to create chances in the early stages despite having plenty of possession. Adam Hlozek and Pavel Šulc each had a shot blocked before the Czech Republic finally broke the deadlock in the 23rd minute.

Hlozek received the ball from Lukáš Červ, created some space for himself on the edge of the box and found the bottom corner.

However, there was a setback for Ivan Hašek when Hlozek was forced off through injury just five minutes after scoring.

Ladislav Krejčí then saw his header blocked, while Vukotić hit Montenegro’s first shot on target over the crossbar shortly before half-time.

The Czechs seemingly scored their second within two minutes of the restart when Vaclav Cerny jinked inside and fired past Igor Nikic. However, they were frustrated when the goal was ruled out for offside.

In the 65th minute, Schick swiftly glanced in Cerny’s cross to double the hosts’ lead. Not to be beaten again, Nikic denied Schick three times in the space of five minutes before the striker was substituted as part of a double change.

The Czech Republic’s lead was never threatened, with Jaroslav Zeleny stopping Nikola Krstovic’s late effort. They went an eighth match unbeaten, boosting their chances of reaching the World Cup finals for the first time since 2006. Their biggest test comes next, when they travel to Croatia.

The Czechs also brought Montenegro’s three-game winning streak to an end and dented the Hrabri Sokoli’s hopes of reaching the finals for the first time as an independent nation. Montenegro has no qualifying matches next and will play a friendly match against Armenia in three days.