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The 2016 UEFA European Championships is being played across France from June 10 to July 10 for the first time with 24 nations across 10 venues in nine cities with the French capital Paris being the only city with two venues in the Stade de France and the Park de Prince.
The defending double champions are Spain, who are three time record champions along with Germany.
GROUP D – Matchday 3
Croatia 2-1 (1-1) Spain
Croatia scored a massive 2-1 upset over defending UEFA Euro champions Spain to top Group D ahead of La Furja Roja, who now as the second placed team in the group would have to face a tricky Italy in the pre-quarterfinals.
Both teams had qualified for the pre-quarterfinals, which took some pressure of them but they also knew that the loser would have to face Italy in the next round.
Spain had the perfect start as David Silva played on for Cesc Fabregas, who found Alvaro Morata and the striker scored his third goal of the tournament in the 7th minute. Croatia was anything but shocked and it was an open game between the two sides with chances at both ends with Croatia getting an unlikely equaliser in the 45th minute of striker Nikola Kalinic, the first goal Spain has conceded at the UEFA Euro’s in 734 minutes.
After the break Croatia looked more like the side which wanted to win with keeper David de Gea being lucky as he misjudged a corner but was able to block Tim Jedvaj before the rebound was taken by Pjaca as a bicycle kick and it just went wide.
Sergio Ramos headed a David Silva corner wide in the 67th minute before referee Björn Kuipers pointed to the dreaded spot for Spain in the 72nd minute as Vrsaljko crosses Silva’s path, he falls and a weak penalty call is given. But captain Ramos’ shot is parried away by Subasic.
Spain could not recover from this unusual miss as Croatia wanted the winner and got it in the 87th minute through an Ivan Perisic strike from the left which went in off a deflection from Gerard Pique beating de Gea in goal.
Croatia celebrate winning the group, while Spain now face old foes Italy next, whom they faced in the Euro 2012 finals.
Carlsberg Man of the Match: Ivan Perišić (Croatia) #CROESP
Czech Republic 0-2 (0-1) Turkey
A rejuvenated Turkey scored a 2-0 win over a weak Czech Republic to move into third spot in Group D with three points, but if they will progress will depend on the other groups.
The Czech had the better start but after Darida’s effort is denied, Turkey at the other end go ahead in the 10th minute when teenager Emre Mor finds Burak Yilmaz and he the back of the net. The Czech Republic press for the equaliser but Turkey take the lead into the break.
In the second session it is an open game, but the Czech’s just cannot score and Turkey seal the game in the 65th minute through a Ozan Tufan strike.
If this 2-0 win will be enough, one will have to wait and see as Turkey have three points from three matches.
Carlsberg Man of the Match: Burak Yılmaz (Turkey) #CZETUR
