Czech Republic's midfielder #22 Tomas Soucek and Albania's defender Ylber Ramadani vie for the ball during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group E qualification match between Czech Republic and Albania at the Fortuna Arena Stadium in Prague, Czech Republic, on Sept 07, 2023. (PHOTO / AFP)

PRAGUE - Albania snatched a 1-1 draw against Group E leaders Czech Republic on Thursday in their Euro 2024 qualifier after Nedim Bajrami cancelled out a second-half Vaclav Cerny strike.

The Czechs opened the scoring in the 56th minute, after a dull first half, when captain Tomas Soucek dribbled into the box and laid off a pass for Cerny whose left-footed shot beat the keeper and withstood a VAR check for offside.

The home side kept up the pressure but Albania struck back 10 minutes later when Bajrami scooped up the ball after Alex Kral lost possession just outside the penalty area and fired into the top corner to level.

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The Czechs lead Group E on 8 points, followed by Albania on 7. In other group play on Thursday, Poland beat the Faroe Islands 2-0 to climb into third place on six points.