Czech Republic Win 2-1 Over Kosovo in World Cup Tune-Up

Czech Republic extend 20-match home unbeaten run

Goals from Tomas Ladra and Adam Hlozek lifted the Czech Republic past Kosovo 2-1 in a friendly, their penultimate match before the 2026 World Cup in North America.

Ladra and Hlozek struck before halftime as the Czech Republic held off Kosovo 2-1, keeping their home unbeaten streak alive since September 2022...

Ladra and Hlozek scored as the Czech Republic beat Kosovo 2-1 before their Mexico trip.

Tomas Ladra and Adam Hlozek both scored before halftime to lift the Czech Republic to a tight 2-1 friendly win over Kosovo. The result stretched the Repre’s unbeaten home streak to 20 games, 17 wins and 3 draws.

Miroslav Koubek’s side wanted a strong showing in their last home test before the World Cup in North America, and they started fast. They broke through inside 12 minutes against Kosovo.

David Doudera’s shot got misplayed in the box and dropped right to Ladra. Unmarked, he headed it calmly past Arijanet Muric for his first goal for the national team.

Kosovo came in having won their last three away games and they answered quickly. Veldin Hodza forced a sharp low save from Lukas Hornicek.

That woke the hosts up, and they made it 2-0 just after the half-hour mark. Hoffenheim’s Hlozek took Mojmir Chytil’s pass, powered into the box, and finished coolly into the far corner.

Koubek overhauled his lineup at halftime and pulled both scorers, Ladra and Hlozek. Kosovo tried to take advantage early in the second half, with Mergim Vojvoda firing a powerful shot that Hornicek tipped over the bar.

The Czechs stayed on top as the clock moved under 30 minutes left. They nearly made it 3-0 too, but Christophe Kabongo’s low effort was stopped by Muric.

Kosovo didn’t give up and pulled one back in the 80th minute. Substitute Lindon Emerllahu was in the right spot to smash home a close-range rebound into an open net.

That made for a tense finish for the hosts. Kosovo thought they had an equalizer late through Kabongo, but it was ruled out. The Czechs held on, stretched their unbeaten home run to 20 games, and kept it going since September 2022.