Sivok’s critical goal for Czechs

A late header from Tomas Sivok saw the Czech Republic put one foot in the Euro 2012 finals with victory over Montenegro in the first leg of their qualifying play-off.

The Czechs held a narrow lead after Vaclav Pilar’s 63rd minute goal but Sivok’s goal in injury-time gives them a clear advantage going into the second leg.

The hosts were enjoying the better of the chances early on and Bozovic could only parry a free-kick from Daniel Pudil before doing a better job with another shot from the same man moments later.

Mirko Vucinic sent a volley over the crossbar before the Czechs resumed peppering shots at Bozovic’s goal.

Vucinic had another good chance for the visitors in the 39th minute but missed with his close-range header.

Having been on the back foot for much of the first half, Montenegro made an excellent start to the second half.

Dejan Damjanovic went close just seconds after the restart, before Petr Cech tipped Simon Vukcevic’s shot around the post moments later.

The Chelsea goalkeeper then made another fine save to deny Damjanovic before the hosts could impose themselves on the game again.

But impose themselves they did, and Pekhart and Jiracek had both gone close again before Pilar made the breakthrough in the 63rd minute, latching on to Rosicky’s pass and firing into the top right-hand corner from 25 yards.

They got what could be the vital goal just inside injury time, with Rosicky again the provider as his free-kick found the head of Sivok to beat the goalkeeper.

CZECH REPUBLIC: Cech, Gebre Selassie, Sivok, Kadlec, Pudil, Rezek (Pospech 81), Rosicky, Jiracek, Plasil, Pilar (Kolar 90), Pekhart (Lefata 90). MONTENEGRO: Mladen Bozovic, Pavicevic, Djudovic, Savic, Jovanovic, Pekovic (Zverotic 90), Drincic, Jovetic, Vukcevic (Delibasic 89), Damjanovic (Bozovic 61), Vucinic.

Referee: Martin Atkinson (England).