Sparta Prague made it three wins from six Czech League matches with a comfortable 4-0 victory over Karvina at home on Saturday. The visitors dominated proceedings from the first whistle, scoring four goals through John Mercado, Matěj Ryneš, Josimar Alcócer and Adam Karabec. It was a day where Sparta kept knocking on the door until the barrier finally broke.
Mercado opened the scoring in the seventh minute, capitalising on early pressure before Karvina could settle. Ryneš doubled the advantage by the 33rd, and it was clear Sparta were not going to be denied. By then they had extended their unbeaten run to eight across all competitions, though this result would add to their league tally of nine points.
Alcócer made it three in the 53rd minute, and the game was effectively over before the VAR intervention at 64 minutes. Ebrima Singhateh was shown the penalty spot, and Karabec stepped up to convert in the 66th. Substitutions followed: Braut Brunes and Mercado came on together at 62, Irving replaced Alcócer at 68, and Karabec was withdrawn at 76.
The statistics told the story. Sparta enjoyed 58 per cent possession and registered nine shots on target compared to Karvina's zero. The hosts managed just two big chances but couldn't convert, while Sparta's 75 per cent shot accuracy meant they kept their side in it comfortably. Karvina failed to register a single shot on target despite creating opportunities.
For Sparta, the result keeps them in eighth place with three wins and three defeats. They had dropped points recently against Lyon and Mlada Boleslav, but this performance suggested they were turning it around after the break. Karvina's record remains poor, with only the 4-0 win over Brumov standing out in their recent fixtures.