Plzeň Pulls Off Football Miracle: 5:1 Rout After 0:3 Defeat Seals European Spot

Football club Viktoria Plzeň pulled off what Czech fans are calling a genuine miracle: after losing 0:3 in Belgrade in the first leg of the final Europa League qualifying round, the team demolished their opponents 5:1 at home in extra time to secure a spot in the tournament's main draw. According to official figures from the organisers, reaching the group stage will earn the club roughly 110 million crowns.

Just a week earlier, the situation had looked hopeless: Plzeň's defence had fallen apart in Belgrade, the players' confidence was at rock bottom, and the team seemed destined for elimination. Everything changed, however, after a coaching switch — over the weekend the club sacked Martin Hyský and brought in Radoslav Kovač, a former national team defender known for his ability to fire up a squad. The new manager had just four training sessions with the players before the decisive match.

How Plzeň turned the game around

The starting lineup and formation barely changed, yet a completely different team took to the pitch. "This isn't down to me. Credit belongs to the lads — the energy that lifted the whole team and the stands came from them," Kovač said after the match. Midfielder Denis Vyšinský added: "We knew what we were playing for. In recent weeks we'd faced justified criticism, and we had to face up to the truth."

The match was dramatic from start to finish: Plzeň scored quickly but conceded almost immediately, while striker Adu missed a clear-cut chance and then failed to convert a penalty right after the break. Still, the hosts refused to buckle. Referee Michael McKellie awarded Plzeň three penalties over the course of the game, and their opponents were reduced to ten men after striker Bukari was sent off. Visiting captain Grošovski pulled a goal back to make it 3:1, but in the third minute of stoppage time the away goalkeeper handled the ball in the box, and substitute Kabongo converted the resulting third penalty. The winning goal in extra time came from defender David Krčík. "We didn't even dare dream it would turn out this beautifully," he admitted on Nova Sport.

Success for other Czech clubs too

A similarly stunning result came the same evening from Jablonec, who beat Scotland's Rangers (winners of 55 domestic titles) 1:0 in the second leg. The tie went all the way to a penalty shootout, where Jan Chramosta struck the decisive spot-kick in the fifth round. The win earned the club a place in the Conference League main round and a bonus of around 75 million crowns. "I'm proud. We'll be talking about this match for a long time," said coach Luboš Kozel.

Fortune, however, deserted Hradec Králové: against Greek favourites Panathinaikos, the team squandered numerous chances, conceded a late penalty for the second draw in a row, and in the end couldn't find a way through — despite goalkeeper Zadražil almost equalising with a header in stoppage time. As a result, the Czech Republic will be represented in European competitions this season by four clubs instead of five: Slavia already knows their Champions League opponent, Sparta and Plzeň will play in the Europa League, and Jablonec in the Conference League.

After the final whistle in Plzeň, the stands chanted coach Kovač's name, and in a moment of pure euphoria club CEO Adolf Šádek pulled off his shirt alongside the coach to the roar of the crowd. Still, the real work is only just beginning for the team, which must now find consistency to shake off the instability that nearly cost them their European campaign altogether. Viktoria are back in league action already this Sunday, facing Slovácko.

Around Prague, based on reporting by seznamzpravy.cz