Czech Republic produced a display of attacking excellence to beat USA 3-0 in Gelsenkirchen in a result that puts them in firm control after the first game of Group E.
The 'Silver generation' of Czech football have their final chance to win gold at the World Cup finals in Germany, and this strong showing against Bruce Arena's side will certainly mark them down as contenders for the trophy - with sparkling stars such as Tomas Rosicky and Pavel Nedved in their ranks.
Although Claudio Reyna hit the post in the first half, the Czechs had far too much class for The Stars and Stripes, and two superb efforts from Arsenal new-boy Rosicky cemented the victory after an early headed opener from Jan Koller.
However, Karel Bruckner's day was not universally productive, as main target man Koller was withdrawn just before half time with an apparently serious injury that could yet rule him out of the tournament.
The Czechs were desperate to test the USA defence in the opening stages, and it was Juventus star Nedved who caused the first flutter, as his mazy run drew a lunging tackle from Oguchi Onyewu that earned the Middlesbrough target the first booking of the game.
Czech right back Zdenek Grygera had clearly been taking note of the debate over the unpredictable qualities of the World Cup match ball, as he attempted an audacious shot from 35 yards in the opening stages, and inside five minutes Bruckner's side had the lead, with prolific lone hit-man Koller unsurprisingly notching his name on the scoresheet.
A quick break saw Grygera find space on the right, and he had more than enough time to measure a perfect cross right on to the head of the unmarked Koller, who powered the ball past Kasey Keller from six yards out.
Arena's side looked to respond and Landon Donovan, the darling of the 2002 campaign, broke quickly on 16 minutes only to be stopped by a cynical foul, as he rounded David Rozehnal - with the Czech stopper being booked as a result.
PSV Eindhoven star DaMarcus Beasley also offered an off-target long range effort, but midfield schemer Reyna came closest to making the breakthrough on 28 minutes when he picked the ball up in front of goal and quickly unleashed a low drive that cannoned off Petr Cech's right-hand post.
The Stars and Stripes were enjoying their fair share of possession but the Czechs proved far more dangerous in the final third and Grygera was unlucky to head over after Nedved wriggled free and crossed exquisitely with the outside of his right boot.
Fellow midfield creator Rosicky then made his mark on the game on 36 minutes, as he picked up the ball after an Onyewu clearance 30 yards from goal, steadied himself and launched a rocket of a shot that flew past Keller and into the top corner - with the goal of the tournament contender an encouraging sight for fans of his new club Arsenal.
However, the joy of their two-nil lead was shattered on 43 minutes when Koller fell to ground after a chase with Onyewu and had to be removed due to an apparent hamstring injury, with Vratislav Lokvenc the man to benefit.
The injury looked to be serious and was another devastating blow for the player who missed the majority of the season due to a knee problem, however with the half time whistle blowing, the Czechs were still secure in the knowledge that they were firmly in control in Gelsenkirchen.
Arena's men would have been hoping to take advantage of the psychological blow of Koller's injury, with Milan Baros also on the sidelines due to injury, but five minutes after the restart, they could have been three down when Tomas Ujfalusi got in front of his markers and flicked a Karel Poborsky free kick just wide of the far post.
Rosicky and Nedved continued to probe and Lokvenc was just offside after the Arsenal man unlocked the USA defence on 56 minutes, whilst their opponents were clearly lacking a similar cutting edge, as they struggled for invention in the final third.
Former Manchester United misfit Poborsky was also a productive outlet and his precise through ball saw Lokvenc steer a shot into the hands of Keller before the winger himself had a shot at goal when he sent an ambitious aerial volley over the bar from a Jaroslav Plasil cross.
On 65 minutes, it was Nedved's time to turn provider as his glorious pass sailed over the USA backline to find Marek Jankulovski waiting to pounce at the back post. However, the Milan man was denied, as Beasley steamed back to produce a timely intervention.
As the wave of Czech attacks pounded relentlessly against the Stars and Stripes backline, Rosicky almost shattered their remaining spirit as, with the pitch opening up in front of him, the playmaker hit another rocket of a shot which did not quite dip enough and cannoned off the crossbar.
However, USA substitute Eddie Johnson was keen to emulate the Gunners star and after a quick turn, he fired a ferocious left-foot effort just wide of the post, before then seeing another effort blocked.
The highly-rated Kansas City Wizards striker looked keen to make a name for himself on the biggest stage of all, and was also inches away from connecting from a Bobby Convey cross with quarter of an hour to go.
Just as they looked to be gaining some kind of foothold in the game, the Czechs proved their class once more, as Nedved threaded a fine ball through to the excellent Rosicky on 76 minutes.
Eddie Lewis attempted to chase him down, but the former Borussia Dortmund star showed excellent composure and technique to lift the ball over Keller with the outside of his boot and into the far corner of the goal.
Although Johnson threatened once more, with substitute Josh Wolff also having a shot blocked, the Czechs closed out the game with ease to get their World Cup campaign off to a flier in Group E's opening contest.
The 'Silver generation' of Czech football have their final chance to win gold at the World Cup finals in Germany, and this strong showing against Bruce Arena's side will certainly mark them down as contenders for the trophy - with sparkling stars such as Tomas Rosicky and Pavel Nedved in their ranks.
Although Claudio Reyna hit the post in the first half, the Czechs had far too much class for The Stars and Stripes, and two superb efforts from Arsenal new-boy Rosicky cemented the victory after an early headed opener from Jan Koller.
However, Karel Bruckner's day was not universally productive, as main target man Koller was withdrawn just before half time with an apparently serious injury that could yet rule him out of the tournament.
The Czechs were desperate to test the USA defence in the opening stages, and it was Juventus star Nedved who caused the first flutter, as his mazy run drew a lunging tackle from Oguchi Onyewu that earned the Middlesbrough target the first booking of the game.
Czech right back Zdenek Grygera had clearly been taking note of the debate over the unpredictable qualities of the World Cup match ball, as he attempted an audacious shot from 35 yards in the opening stages, and inside five minutes Bruckner's side had the lead, with prolific lone hit-man Koller unsurprisingly notching his name on the scoresheet.
A quick break saw Grygera find space on the right, and he had more than enough time to measure a perfect cross right on to the head of the unmarked Koller, who powered the ball past Kasey Keller from six yards out.
Arena's side looked to respond and Landon Donovan, the darling of the 2002 campaign, broke quickly on 16 minutes only to be stopped by a cynical foul, as he rounded David Rozehnal - with the Czech stopper being booked as a result.
PSV Eindhoven star DaMarcus Beasley also offered an off-target long range effort, but midfield schemer Reyna came closest to making the breakthrough on 28 minutes when he picked the ball up in front of goal and quickly unleashed a low drive that cannoned off Petr Cech's right-hand post.
The Stars and Stripes were enjoying their fair share of possession but the Czechs proved far more dangerous in the final third and Grygera was unlucky to head over after Nedved wriggled free and crossed exquisitely with the outside of his right boot.
Fellow midfield creator Rosicky then made his mark on the game on 36 minutes, as he picked up the ball after an Onyewu clearance 30 yards from goal, steadied himself and launched a rocket of a shot that flew past Keller and into the top corner - with the goal of the tournament contender an encouraging sight for fans of his new club Arsenal.
However, the joy of their two-nil lead was shattered on 43 minutes when Koller fell to ground after a chase with Onyewu and had to be removed due to an apparent hamstring injury, with Vratislav Lokvenc the man to benefit.
The injury looked to be serious and was another devastating blow for the player who missed the majority of the season due to a knee problem, however with the half time whistle blowing, the Czechs were still secure in the knowledge that they were firmly in control in Gelsenkirchen.
Arena's men would have been hoping to take advantage of the psychological blow of Koller's injury, with Milan Baros also on the sidelines due to injury, but five minutes after the restart, they could have been three down when Tomas Ujfalusi got in front of his markers and flicked a Karel Poborsky free kick just wide of the far post.
Rosicky and Nedved continued to probe and Lokvenc was just offside after the Arsenal man unlocked the USA defence on 56 minutes, whilst their opponents were clearly lacking a similar cutting edge, as they struggled for invention in the final third.
Former Manchester United misfit Poborsky was also a productive outlet and his precise through ball saw Lokvenc steer a shot into the hands of Keller before the winger himself had a shot at goal when he sent an ambitious aerial volley over the bar from a Jaroslav Plasil cross.
On 65 minutes, it was Nedved's time to turn provider as his glorious pass sailed over the USA backline to find Marek Jankulovski waiting to pounce at the back post. However, the Milan man was denied, as Beasley steamed back to produce a timely intervention.
As the wave of Czech attacks pounded relentlessly against the Stars and Stripes backline, Rosicky almost shattered their remaining spirit as, with the pitch opening up in front of him, the playmaker hit another rocket of a shot which did not quite dip enough and cannoned off the crossbar.
However, USA substitute Eddie Johnson was keen to emulate the Gunners star and after a quick turn, he fired a ferocious left-foot effort just wide of the post, before then seeing another effort blocked.
The highly-rated Kansas City Wizards striker looked keen to make a name for himself on the biggest stage of all, and was also inches away from connecting from a Bobby Convey cross with quarter of an hour to go.
Just as they looked to be gaining some kind of foothold in the game, the Czechs proved their class once more, as Nedved threaded a fine ball through to the excellent Rosicky on 76 minutes.
Eddie Lewis attempted to chase him down, but the former Borussia Dortmund star showed excellent composure and technique to lift the ball over Keller with the outside of his boot and into the far corner of the goal.
Although Johnson threatened once more, with substitute Josh Wolff also having a shot blocked, the Czechs closed out the game with ease to get their World Cup campaign off to a flier in Group E's opening contest.
