Euro 2012: Czechs beat Greece to stay in the hunt

The Czech Republic kept alive their hopes of reaching the Euro 2012 quarter-finals as they beat Greece 2-1 in their Group A clash on Tuesday. (All AFP and AP Images)

The Czechs made a dream start with Petr Jiracek putting them ahead in only the 3rd minute.

Three minutes later Czech Republic were celebrating again as Vaclav Pilar slid in to put the ball in the net for his second goal of the tournament.

Greek 'keeper Costas Chalkias' unhappy afternoon ended prematurely when he had to go off injured in the 22nd minute and was replaced by Michalis Sapikis.

Greek coach Fernando Santos had every reason to be furious.

However, the second-half got off in the worst possible manner with Tomas Rosicky (right) - the Czechs most influential player thus far - failing to appear as he was found to be suffering from an apparent Achilles tendon injury.

Despite the deficit, the Greece fans refused to give up hope.

Their faith was soon rewarded as a a rare error by Petr Cech allowed Fanis Gekas to tuck the ball into the net to pull one back for Greece.

Cech spilled the ball straight to Gekas who got the goal. The victory would have allowed him to breath with relief.

Cezch goalscorer Petr Jiracek was also the receipient of a yellow card.

Normally a reaction reserved for celebrating a goal. Here is Greece's Vassilis Torosidis reacting after being shown a yellow card by French referee Stephane Lannoy.

Czech forward Milan Baros in action.