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By Phil McNulty
Chief football writer in Prague
Following the Republic deservedly finished their 43-game unbeaten streak in qualifiers stretching back 10 26,, england have to wait to verify their place.
Gareth Southgates side could have secured their spot at next summers championship with success in Prague but they could have no complaints following a display against a Czech side who were a different proposition from 5-0 swept aside in Wembley in March.
England can still qualify on Monday when they beat Bulgaria and Kosovo do not beat on Montenegro.
England were handed the perfect start when captain Harry Kane put them ahead following Lukas Masopust fouled Raheem Sterling from the penalty spot in the fifth minute however they were well below their best and slumped to a defeat.
The Czechs were quickly flat when Jakub Brabec scored after a corner. England could not muster inspiration and substitute Zdenek Ondrasek the winner.
England were poor throughout and were grateful to goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, who made fine rescue from Vladimir Masopust Coufal and Alex Kral, although counterpart Tomas Vaclik failed to deny Sterling along with Kane.
They can put things right from Bulgaria in Sofia on Monday but that was a reality check to get a side hoping to do good things the next summer, dropping a qualifier for the very first time as they went down 1-0 to Ukraine on 10 October 2009.
This will rank as the director himself has to take his personal share of the duty and one of their worst performances of Southgates predominate.
No-one can whine about his decision to give Chelsea Mason Mount his introduction ahead of Ross Barkley but the child never flourished in an advanced position in the first half.
Components will enjoy confronting Southgate and this England defence is running out of time to apply the fix
Mount was able to influence the game and also Jordan Henderson and Declan Rice pedestrian and subjected, England found themselves overrun from the Czechs.
Englands potent attacking trio of Kane, both Sterling and Jadon Sancho were all out leaving them in each region of the pitch.
Even the Czech Republic, supported with a bunch in Prague, accumulated optimism and momentum and it was no surprise if Pickfords resistance was eventually broken by Ondrasek .
This was not really good from England along with also the concerns that surfaced concerning their quality when they won 5-3 in Southampton in style against Kosovo will increase after this.
Any expect the uncertainty that characterised Englands success had been successfully addressed was banished inside the first 10 minutes in Prague.
Pickford saved from Coufal as the Czech Republic reacted to Englands ancient salvo but there was also the trademark confusion at the corner that ended with Brabec stabbing home from close selection.
England lived and it wasnt a shock when they conceded late on.
While full-backs Danny Rose and Kieran Trippier covered themselves in glory evertons Michael Keane battles desperately at this amount.
Harry Maguire looks the 1 staple in defence but he does not exude confidence either.
In other words, quality sides will enjoy facing this England defence and Southgate is operating from time to use the fix.
England traveling to Bulgaria on Monday (kick-off 19:45 BST) attempting to secure a spot at Euro 2020.
There was someone out there who did do it and who could do it again
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