Euro 2016: Defending Champions record winning start

Spain’s dominance eventually paid off as a late header from Pique with three minutes left on the clock ensured Spain began their campaign in the ongoing Euro 2016 Championship in France on a winning note with a 1-0 win over Czech Republic.
Spain’s dominance in the first half accounted for nothing as Petr Cech posted a solid performance to deny the defending champions severally at half time but the La Rojas returned after the break with an increased tempo and just when Czech thought they were coasting home with a point, Petr Cech had no response for Pique’s header few seconds after the 87th minute.

David de Gea ended the debate about Spain’s first-choice goalkeeper after he was picked over Iker Casillas to start between the sticks, despite his recent implication in the Torbe sexual-abuse case, while Alvaro Morata was preferred to Aritz Aduriz up front with David Silva earning his 100th cap.
Spain helped themselves to 68 percent of possession in the first half, and they should’ve got on the scoresheet early when Silva broke down the right and delivered a low ball across the face of the Czechs’ goal, but Morata could only slide his finish into Cech.
Another chance then fell to Morata, but Cech saved his angled strike with tip around the post as the Juventus man was just onside when a through ball came his way near the penalty area.
Iniesta, meanwhile, looked up to see Cech off his line, and his audacious effort from some yards away floated just over. The goalkeeper quickly made amends as he pushed away Alba’s shot after the full-back broke inside down the left.
De Gea was a spectator for most part, and he had to wait until just before half-time to make a save as Necid was onside when he collected a through ball near the edge of the box, his shot then gathered by the goalkeeper.
After the break, Spain continued from where they had left off, bagging four corners in quick session but still Czech remained firm in their defending.
More to follow….