The Czech Republic produced their first ever World Cup victory after crushing the United States 3-0 in the opening game of their Group E on Monday. Veteran striker Jan Koller opened the Czechs' account with an early goal before carried off with a thigh injury in the first-half. New Arsenal signing Tomas Rosicky struck a goal on either side of the interval to seal the win for the Czech Republic. The results put the Czechs in charge of their Group A on three points before Italy's match against Ghana later on Monday. The Czechs, making their first World Cup appearance since Czechoslovakia split up, came on with all guns blazing and took the lead when Koller headed home from an inch-perfect Zdenek Grygera cross in the 5th minute.
Koller was stretched off the field The Euro 2004 semi-finalists controlled the rhythm of the first-half but USA skipper Claudio Reyna managed to threaten them with a sneaky shot that struck the base of a post. Rosicky doubled the lead for the Czechs in the 36th minute with a dazzling long-range drive that left USA keeper Kasey Keller helpless. Czech coach Karel Brueckner's received a strong blow when Koller was stretchered off with a thigh injury in the 43rd minute. Czech Republic continued to dominate after the break and capped their spectacular performance with a third goal after a brilliant solo effort from Rosicky. The 25-year-old latched on to a deft through pass from maestro Pavel Nedved and clinically slotted the ball past the onrushing Keller in the 76th minute.
