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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