Czech Republic's Greatest World Cup Moments

From 1920 through 1993, Czechoslovakia was one of the most powerful nations in European football. The international de football association (FIFA) once recognized them as the finest team in the world, and they qualified for the majority of World Cups at that time, reaching the championship games in 1934 and 1962.

After competing in the 1990 World Cup, Czechoslovakia was divided into the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The Czech Republic has been the more dominant of the two since their split, though it has recently lost some of its direction. Slovakia, meanwhile, is progressively getting better.

Regarding the ongoing World Cup, the Czech Republic's national football team fell to Sweden in a play-off World Cup qualifying match in Solna, losing 0:1 after extra time.

Because of the defeat, the Czech Republic will not participate in the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. When substitute Robin Quaison scored the game's lone goal in the 110th minute, the outcome of the contest was decided.

Listing Czech Republic's greatest World Cup moments

The Czech Republic lost its edge over the last two decades, with no success or even almost successful runs in the World Cup. They got close to making it into Qatar's World Cup to create some more

Czech Republic's greatest world cup moments

but fell short in the play-off.

Now that we know that there will be no more Czech Republic's greatest world cup moments, for now, let us take a look at the past moments of this country in the World Cup.

1934 FIFA World Cup

Starting Czech Republic's greatest world cup moments list with Czech's first world cup experience, there is a lot to talk about.

Actually, Czechoslovakia's first World Cup was in 1934. The group defeated Germany 3:1 in the semifinals to get to a matchup with the hosts, Italy, with the famous Frantisek Planicka in goal and Oldrich Nejedly scoring freely on the other end. The Czechoslovaks were 20 minutes away from making history after Antonin Puc's goal in the 71st minute.

But fate had other plans, as

won its first World Cup by scoring twice in extra time to even the score late in the game.

Some people claimed the refereeing was incredibly unfair while Italian dictator Benito Mussolini was present. Regardless, Czechoslovakia didn't leave empty-handed because the legendary Nejedly tied for the most goals scored and the Golden Boot.

2022 FIFA World Cup

The Czech Republic wanted to move up the tournament standings during the most recent World Cup, but they lacked the necessary strength to accomplish so.

Belgium, who won their group, proceeded directly to the World Cup finals, while Wales, who finished second, and the Czech Republic, who finished third, moved on to the second round (playoffs).

Sweden defeated the Czech Republic in the World Cup qualifying playoff after extra time, and Robin Quaison's goal ignited a celebration at the Friends Arena as the home team ultimately won 1-0.

Normal time saw no goals, but there were plenty of chances, particularly in the first half.

The Czech Republic also had chances, and Jan Kuchta even had the ball in the goal, but it was disallowed for a foul.

Although there were more fouls than opportunities in the second half, the Czechs did have a chance to win it in the final minute of stoppage time when Milan Havel was set up at the far post but misfired on his shot.

As a result, extra time was required. In the 110th minute, Quaison and Isak combined for the game-winning goal, sending Sweden into the playoff final for a spot at the World Cup.

However, this was the Czech Republic's first glimmer of optimism in the world cup after over two decades of absence and was worthy of inclusion in the list.

1990 FIFA World Cup

The World Cup in Italy in 1990 marked the first time since 1962 that Czechoslovakia had achieved its best finish. They scored six goals in the first round, including two from Tomas Skuhravy, dubbed "the bomber" by supporters.

Following that, they faced Costa Rica in the second round. Skuhravy scored a hat trick as they defeated the football underdogs 4-0 to advance the Czechoslovaks to the quarterfinals for the first time since 1962. Czechoslovakia was eliminated after being unable to withstand the overwhelming strength of the eventual champions

, who scored the game's lone goal.

1938 FIFA World Cup

Here is one of the most violent games of the World Cup that also made one of the

Czech Republic's greatest world cup moments

in history.

Despite holding off a powerful Czechoslovak team, the Dutch team gave up three goals in overtime. Czechoslovakia had to face Brazil after this game.

made the decision to make this game a kicking competition in the face of fierce opposition; this change of events became known as the "Battle of Bordeaux."

In the 14th minute, Zeze Procopia was dismissed for lunging at Nejedly, who was transported to the hospital with a fractured leg, ending his international career. An all-out altercation that broke out at the end of the game resulted in the dismissal of a Brazilian defender and a Czech striker.

With a fractured arm, the goalkeeper for Czechoslovakia continued to play in overtime. The teams were obliged to make fifteen changes as a result of the first match's violence, and Czechoslovakia was without its best players.

1962 FIFA World Cup

Probably their best performance in a World Cup, the 1962 World Cup tops our list of the Czech Republic's greatest world cup moments.

Czechoslovakia made a comeback at the 1962 World Cup in

when they beat Spain and drew with the reigning champions Brazil to go past the group stage. With three goals from attacker Adolf Scherer, the Czechoslovaks easily defeated Hungary and Yugoslavia in the quarterfinals and semifinals, respectively.

In the final, they met Brazil once more, and just like in 1934, they seized the lead early on thanks to a goal from Josef Masopust, a legendary Czechoslovak player, in the 15th minute.

But that happiness was fleeting, as history repeated itself, with Brazil drawing even before winning 3:1 in the end. Despite finishing second once more, Czechoslovakia was greeted as heroes as they returned and marched through Prague.

What do you think? If the Czech Republic were to make it to World Cup 2022, would there have been any more

Czech Republic's greatest world cup moments

?

Read more

Follow 

 for the