Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
ABC News
ABC News
Sport

Patrik Schick lights up Euro 2020 with goal from halfway for Czech Republic against Scotland

Czech Republic's Patrik Schick scores 50-metre goal at Euro 2020

Euro 2020 is only days old, but Patrik Schick may just have locked up the goal of the tournament with a stunning shot from halfway to score for Czech Republic against Scotland.

At Hampden Park in Glasgow, Scottish fans were in full voice for their team's first match in a major tournament in 23 years, but they were left quiet after the hosts lost 2-0.

Patrik Schick scored both goals for the Czechs, but it was his worldie second seven minutes after half-time that grabbed attention.

With Scottish keeper David Marshall patrolling at least 20 metres off his line, Schick looked up, saw his opportunity and hit a curling shot from just over halfway.

Patrik Schick lines it up from just inside the attacking half against Scotland at Hampden Park. (Supplied: Optus Sports)

Marshall gave chase, but he could only watch the ball sail into the goal before he ended up tangled in net.

"There was a deflected ball,” Schick said.

"I took a look [at the goalkeeper] to see where he was standing and he was pretty high. I checked it again and fired."

UEFA said it was the longest distance for a goal in the tournament at 49.7 metres. The previous record of 38.6 metres came from Germany midfielder Torsten Frings at Euro 2004.

Schick and the other Czech players ran toward the corner of Hampden Park where a few dozen Czech fans erupted in celebration.

Marshall's misfortune caused social media to light up, as tournament-watchers posted the moment with the addition of a certain superhero.

Scotland's goalkeeper David Marshall was caught hopelessly out of position for Patrik Schick's wonder goal at Euro 2020. (AP/Pool: Andy Buchanan)

Poland hit by historic own goal

Slovakia's Robert Mak's brilliant run set up his team's opener against Poland, with the help of the post and a rebound off Wojciech Szczęsny.   (AP: Anton Vaganov)

As if that wasn't bad enough for the goalkeeping fraternity, Poland's Wojciech Szczęsny then made some unwanted history of his own against Slovakia in St Petersburg.

Slovakian winger Robert Mak provided one of the moves of the tournament with his mazy dribble through the Polish defence from out on the left wing, cutting inside the box.

But his shot bounced off the near post, back onto Szczęsny's arm, and trickled over the line, for the first-ever own goal by a goalkeeper at the European football championships.

Slovakia went on to win the game 2-1 after Poland was reduced to 10 men in the second half.

AP/ABC

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.