Paris: Emanuele Giaccherini and Graziano Pelle sparked
wild celebrations by Italy after scoring the goals in a 2-0 win over world
number two side Belgium in their opening 2016 Euro match.
Defending champions Spain, seeking an unprecedented
third triumph, also started with a hard fought 1-0 win over Czech Republic.
Zlatani Ibrahimovic’s Sweden and Irish Republic drew 1-1. Belgium’s Red Devils
were punished by a ruthless Italian performance despite dominating for long
spells of the Group E clash in Lyon.
Belgium now face a crucial clash with Ireland on Saturday
in Bordeaux if they are to avoid an embarrassing early exit.
Spain’s quest to win an unprecedented third
consecutive European championship got off to a winning start as Barcelona
defender Gerard Pique overcame dogged Czech defence to seal a 1-0 win in
Toulouse.
Pique, a target of abuse from Spain fans this season
due to unflattering comments about Barca’s rivals Real Madrid, was the unlikely
hero as he powered home man-of-the-match Andres Iniesta’s cross at the far post
three minutes from time.
Ireland and Sweden remain in the fight to make the
last 16 after Ciaran Clark’s own goal cancelled out Wes Hoolahan’s brilliant
finish for the Irish in Paris. Hoolahan met Seamus Coleman’s flighted ball with
a controlled first-time strike three minutes into the second-half at the Stade
de France to give Ireland a lead they fully deserved.However, having been kept
quiet for long spells by the Irish defence, Sweden captain Zlatan Ibrahimovic
created the equaliser in the 71st minute when his cutback was turned into his
own net by Aston Villa defender Clark.
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