Up against the favored Croatians, the Czech Republic looked all but done for as they trailed by two goals with less than 20 minutes remaining. A remarkable turnaround then began, earning a hard-fought point in Group C play.

In a match that will likely see repercussions due to fan issues, the Czech’s erased a two-goal deficit as Tomas Necid delivered a stoppage-time penalty to secure a 2-2 draw with Croatia. The draw puts the Czechs on one point through two games, while Croatia moves up to four points from their first pair of matches.

Milan Skoda’s 76th-minute headed goal gave the Czechs hope as the minutes dwindled down, but it was Necid’s penalty kick finish that salvaged a point. Referee Mark Clattenberg ruled for a handball in the box on Domagoj Vida, allowing the substitute Necid to step up and fire the Czech’s to a tie.

Croatia dominated the match through the usual suspects, as both Ivan Rakitic and Ivan Perisic netted goals. It was Perisic who opened the scoring in the 37th minute, as the midfielder took advantage of a turnover in the center of the field before dribbling into the box and firing past Petr Cech.

Rakitic’s finish came 14 minutes into the second half. Played in by  Marcelo Brozovic, the Barcelona star calmly chipped Cech for the Croat’s second of the night.

It appeared to be decisive, but the Czech comeback soon began, sealing a split of the points.

The Czech Republic returns to action against Turkey on Tuesday while Croatia takes on Spain.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Despite his team’s inability to protect the lead, Ivan Rakitic bossed the midfield and provided a deserved goal. The Barca star controlled the game, and certainly put his team in position to seal what should have been three points.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

A decisive penalty will always earn Moment of the Match recognition, as Tomas Necid’s equalizer sealed a hard-fought point for the Czech Republic

MATCH TO FORGET

Domagoj Vida will lose sleep over the handball call that sunk his team to just one point on Friday afternoon.