Late goal from Pique pushes Spain past 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 Toul- ouse. 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 Champion-ships 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 rec-ord, the 34-year-old Ibra-himovic 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 Champion- ship.
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.
