Spain defeats Czech Republic, 1-0
Gerard Pique finally broke down the Czech Republic’s stubborn defense in the final minutes, giving defending champion Spain a 1-0 victory Monday at the European Championship.
Pique ran behind the defenders and calmly headed the ball into the net after a well-placed cross by Andres Iniesta in the 87th minute.
The two-time defending champions had created a series of scoring chances throughout the match at France’s Stadium de Toulouse. But they looked set to be denied victory by a combination of poor finishing and a superb performance from Czech Republic goalkeeper Petr Cech.
The Czechs had a chance to break the deadlock in the 65th minute but Cesc Fabregas saved Spain with a goal-line clearance after a header by Theodor Gebre Selassie.
The result left Spain and Croatia at the top of Group D with three points each. Croatia defeated Turkey, 1-0, on Sunday.
Spain’s unbeaten streak at European Championships was extended to 13 games, with 10 wins and three draws.
Sweden 1, Ireland 1: Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the star who calls himself a legend, saved Sweden yet again.
Even if he couldn’t get a goal and set a European Championship scoring record, the 34-year-old Ibrahimovic rescued a draw after being stifled by an impressive Ireland for most of the match.
Sweden trailed until the 71st minute, when Ibrahimovic glided forward and sent a teasing ball across the goal mouth that Ireland defender Ciaran Clark stooped to head into his own net at Saint-Denis, France.
Ibrahimovic was seeking to become the first player to score in four different European Championships but was limited to half-chances.
Italy 2, Belgium 0: Goals from Emanuele Giaccherini and Graziano Pelle combined with excellent defending helped Italy to a win over Belgium in its first match at the European Championship.
Described as one of the worst Squadra Azzurra ever by Italian media, Antonio Conte’s aging team defied the odds to take the lead in Group E with an impressive collective display at Lyon, France’s Grand Stade.