Czech Republic's Petr Jiracek scores by Poland goalkeeper Przemyslaw Tyton and Rafal Murawski during the Euro 2012 soccer championship Group A match between Czech Republic and Poland in Wroclaw, Poland, Saturday, June 16, 2012. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
June 16, 2012 - 4:43 PM
WROCLAW, Poland - Petr Jiracek scored a second-half winner to give the Czech Republic a 1-0 victory over Poland and a place in the quarterfinals of the European Championship on Saturday.
Poland, the tournament co-host, was knocked out with its defeat in the team's final Group A game.
Pushing forward in the 72nd minute, Jiracek collected a pass from Milan Baros in the box, cut right to clear past Poland's Marcin Wasilewski and slotted the ball inside the far post.
Poland, which had to win to advance to the quarterfinals, immediately brought on two attacking players in the last 30 minutes to push for a goal but struggled to create any serious threat.
News from © The Associated Press, 2012