Euro 2016

Group stage - Group D

Spain 1 – Czech Republic 0

Spain: De Gea; Juanfran, Piqué, Sergio Ramos, Jordi Alba; Fàbregas (Thiago 70’), Busquets, Iniesta; David Silva, Morata (Aduriz 62‘), Nolito (Pedro 82‘). 4-3-3.
Czech Rep: Cech; Kaderabek, Sivok, Hubnik, Limbersky; Darida, Plasil; Gebre Selassie (Sural 86’), Rosicky (Pavelka 88’), Krejci; Necid (Lafata 75’). 4-2-3-1.

Goals:
1-0. 87. Piqué. Steered header wide of Cech from Iniesta centre.

Yellow cards: Limbersky 61’.

A close call, but Spain got off to a winning start in this year’s Euro finals with a 1-0 victory over the Czech Republic on Monday afternoon. The goal didn’t come though until three minutes from the end, Piqué getting on the end of Iniesta’s centre to head past Petr Cech, who up to that point had stopped everything thrown at him. The Arsenal keeper made two important saves from Morata early on, and then kept out Jordi Alba and David Silva before the break, amongst others. Del Bosque had kept faith with David De Gea despite the recent controversy, and he too was called upon to save from Necid and Darida at the end of the first and second halves. Fàbregas also cleared a Selassie header off the line with De Gea beaten, but otherwise the defending champions were on top, and substitutes Aduríz and Thiago both failed to convert chances before Piqué saved the day. Spain’s next match will be against Turkey on Friday evening.