Burak Yilmaz and Ozan Tufan scored a goal in each half as Turkey beat Czech Republic 2-0 to keep alive slim hopes of reaching the Euro 2016 last 16 on Tuesday.
The defeat eliminated Czech Republic, who had already suffered at Turkish hands at a past Euro finals.
Turkey lost their first two Group D matches and were punished for their unruly fans. And there were more wild scenes in the stands as Turkey stole the match.
Eighteen year-old Emre Mor, who has just been signed by Borussia Dortmund, burst down the right after 10 minutes, saw Yilmaz in the middle and provided a perfect ball for the Beijing Guoan player to fire the ball into the corner.
In a closely fought contest that was Turkey's only entry into the Czech goal area in the first half hour.
Turkish goalkeeper Volkan Babacan produced a series of brilliant saves to keep his side in the game. He also had some luck when Tomas Sivok's header came off the crossbar.
At the 2008 Euro finals, Turkey came from two goals down to beat the Czech Republic 3-2.
And Czech veteran Jaroslav Plasil, who scored in that game, played a one-two with Borek Dockal and fired a 25-metre drive that was heading for the corner of the net before Babacan made a dramatic leap to push it wide.
The Czech Republic pressed forward but Turkey struck a killer blow on 65 minutes.
Selcuk Inan put across a free-kick that Mehmet Topal headed back and Tufan smashed a tight angle shot that powered past Petr Cech.
"It’s of course a huge disappointment for everyone. We had it in our hands, unfortunately we failed. We started very well, they scored on the first attack and that was the breaking point," Cech told Czech television.
"If we played another four hours today, I think we would still not be able to score."
The three points ensured that Turkey could still reach the last 16, at least until the final round of group matches on Wednesday.
They will need results to go their way in the Group E games between Italy and Irish Republic and Sweden-Belgium, or for Hungary to beat Portugal in Group F, to pull off the miracle.
"Our only worry tonight was to win. I think we have an 80 to 90 percent chance of qualifying," said Turkey coach Fatih Terim.
"I recognise I made some errors during the first two matches, but our performance tonight was much better both technically and tactically.
"It was time to get back on our feet and we had a good reaction after being heavily criticised."
However, Turkish fans threw flares on the pitch to put their country at risk of new UEFA sanctions.
At least three flares landed on the pitch following the second goal. Turkey were punished after their fans set off flares in the stadium during their defeat by Spain last Friday.
At the end of the first half there was trouble between Turkish fans and stadium stewards after a firecracker exploded in the Turkish section of the crowd and stewards move in to find the fan responsible.
AFP
Wed Jun 22 2016

Turkey's midfielder Ozan Tufan (L) vies with Czech Republic's midfielder Borek Dockal during the Euro 2016 group D football match between Czech Republic and Turkey at Bollaert-Delelis stadium in Lens on June 21, 2016. AFP PHOTO / DENIS CHARLET

Almost half of chronic kidney patients in Malaysia lost their jobs - study
The study raises concerns about the future of chronic kidney patients, especially those who rely on long-term dialysis treatment.

Beware of scam tactics using AI
The drastic development of AI technology is being taken advantage of by scammers to reap huge profits by using various latest tactics.

Fired and rehired - the dizzying confusion of Trump's government overhaul
They have adopted a blunt force approach toward the wholesale firing of workers, often focusing on workers who are easier to fire.

Arab states scramble to counter Trump's Gaza 'Riviera' plan
Arab states trying to devise an alternative plan have yet to tackle critical issues like who will foot the bill for Gaza's reconstruction.

Chinese universities launch DeepSeek courses to capitalise on AI boom
Universities across China have launched artificial intelligence courses this month based on Chinese AI startup DeepSeek.

Astronomers reveal 3D structure of an alien planet's atmosphere
Astronomers find three layers on a scorching gas planet orbiting a star larger and hotter than the sun.

Public flips car involved in road accident to rescue child
According to JBPM, members of the public at the scene took initial action to rescue the victim before the fire brigade arrived.

Ramsay reveals hundreds of lucky cat statues stolen from new restaurant
Gordon Ramsay says about 477 Japanese cat models called maneki-neko were stolen from his Lucky Cat 22 Bishopsgate restaurant.

Zayn Rayyan case: Two child witnesses complete testimony today
So far, 20 prosecution witnesses, including the two children, have been called for this trial, according to the Deputy Public Prosecutor.

Macron says he will tell Trump not to be weak with Putin in Washington visit
Emmanuel Macron says showing any weakness to Russia's Vladimir Putin would make it harder to deal with China and Iran.

Israeli PM Netanyahu says Hamas will pay for not returning Shiri Bibas
Netanyahu accuse Hamas of acting "in an unspeakably cynical manner" by placing body of a Gaza woman in the coffin instead of Shiri Bibas.

Trump pulls US out of key global climate assessment, sources say
The US is a co-chair along with Malaysia of a working group on climate mitigation, or ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Japan to court Tesla on Nissan investment, FT reports
The group hopes Tesla will invest strategically, believing it's interested in acquiring Nissan's US plants, the report says.

185 children linked to GISB handed over to families - Exco
The children have been handed over to their families on bond with conditions by the court.

IRS fires 6,000 employees as Trump slashes US government
The move will eliminate roughly 6% of the agency's workforce in the midst of the busy tax-filing season.

Elon Musk wields chainsaw at conservative gathering, a gift from Argentina's Milei
This is the chainsaw for bureaucracy, says Elon Musk.
![[OPINION] For never again the world must know more about the Khojaly genocide [OPINION] For never again the world must know more about the Khojaly genocide](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2025-02/41740112820_KhazarUniversity.jpg)
[OPINION] For never again the world must know more about the Khojaly genocide
For Azerbaijanis, the Khojaly genocide is more than a historical event - it is a collective trauma that shapes their identity and worldview.

Israeli military says body released by Hamas is not of a hostage
Two bodies were identified as infants, but a third, believed to be their mother, Shiri, didn't match any hostage and remains unidentified.

Key takeaways from Trump-Putin talks: Ukraine, energy, NATO, sanctions
Here's what is known so far about what was discussed.
![[COLUMNIST] Whose rights? Islam, eurocentrism and the limits of human rights [COLUMNIST] Whose rights? Islam, eurocentrism and the limits of human rights](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-09/41726025526_UnitedNations.jpg)
[COLUMNIST] Whose rights? Islam, eurocentrism and the limits of human rights
For as long as rights are understood on Occidental terms, problems would inevitably remain. What is needed is an appreciation of diversity.