Watch: FC Dallas's Zdenek Ondrasek Deals England Rare Qualifying Defeat
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England has lost a qualifying match for the first time in a decade–and it has an FC Dallas striker to blame.
Zdenek Ondrasek came off the bench to score the first international goal of his career, breaking a 1-1 draw and giving the Czech Republic a surprise 2-1 win over the Three Lions in Euro 2020 qualifying on Friday.
Ondrasek moved into a heavily vacated space in the England box before receiving a cross from Luka Masopust in the 85th minute. He finished from close range to give the Czechs all three points, pulling even on points with England atop Group A–though England has a game in hand. The top two teams in each group make it to Euro 2020 next summer, and the result only delayed what figures to be inevitable advancement for Gareth Southgate's side, which also has the safety net of a playoff place if it needs it thanks to its group triumph in the UEFA Nations League.
It will still sting to have lost in a qualifying match for the first time since dropping a result vs. Ukraine in 2009–a game that had little consequence for England considering it had already qualified for the 2010 World Cup. That streak spanned 43 qualifiers, during which England went 34-0-9.
Harry Kane scored England's goal, netting from the penalty spot five minutes in.
