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Czech Republic win penalty shootout to reach Under-20 World Cup semi-finals

Tomas Peckhart converted his spot kick and gave the Czech Republic a 4-3 victory on penalties over Spain on Saturday to send his side to the semi-finals of the Under-20 World Cup.

Martin Fenin, Marek Suchy and Ondrej Mazuch also converted their penalty attempts after both sides scored in extra time and ended 120 minutes tied 1-1.

Marc Valiente hit the crossbar on Spain's third shot and Czech keeper Radek Petr made the save on a shot by Gerard Pique to seal the victory.

It was the second straight match that the Czechs had advanced on penalty kicks, having rallied to draw with Japan 2-2 in the second round before winning on penalties.

The Czech Republic, having advanced farther in this year's event than in its previous two appearances at the U20 finals, will now meet Austria in the semi-finals on Wednesday in Edmonton.

Austria beat the US 2-1 in extra time earlier on Saturday.

Goalless after regulation, the Czechs, who managed only one shot on goal in 90 minutes, scored in the 103rd minute.

Petr Janda's corner kick was batted down by Spanish keeper Adan, but Lubos Kalouda pounced on the rebound for his third goal of the tournament.

Pique hit the crossbar with a header only two minutes later and Spain finally equalized in the 110th minute when Alberto Bueno rang a shot off the post and Juan Manuel Mata was there to chip it in.

In the 120th minute, Bueno had another good opportunity but clipped the ball wide, sending the game to penalty kicks.
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