Euro 2016: Group Results, Spain, Germany, Croatia, Poland win their first group matches

SPAIN

Spain began their campaign to win a third consecutive UEFAEuropean Championship with an edgy 1-0 victory against the Czech Republic in Toulouse, France, on Monday.

Despite dominating most of the game, Vicente del Bosque's side failed to take the lead, and it looked as if they were heading for a frustrating 0-0 draw before Gerard Pique headed home the winner three minutes from time.

The result moved Spain up into a tie for top spot with Croatia in Group D, with Group E set to get under way later on Monday, as the Republic of Ireland take on Sweden and Italy face Belgium.

GERMANY
Goals from Shkodran Mustafi and Bastian Schweinsteiger grabbed the victory for Germany at UEFA Euro 2016 as their side cantered to a 2-0 success past the Ukraine in Group C on Sunday.

CROATIA
Luka Modric fired Croatia to a win against a poor Turkey side in their opening game of Euro 2016 in Paris. The Real Madrid star was the difference in a 1-0 win at the Parc des Princes.

The midfielder hit a sensational volley shortly before half-time, and the goal was enough to overcome the pedestrian Turkish outfit in Group D.

Croatia went to the summit of the group—at least until Spain play the Czech Republic on Monday.

POLAND

Poland beat Northern Ireland, 1-0, in their opening match in Nice with a strike by Ajax's Arkadiusz Milik.

Germany 2-0 over Ukraine.

The world champions were not at their best in Lille on Sunday evening but they had enough in the tank to sweep past a poor Ukraine unit in a lacklustre game.

Mustafi was the hero of the hour as his country got their summer European campaign off to the best start.

The Valencia defender headed the ball home after excellent work by Toni Kroos to assist.

The Ukraine had promising moments at the end of the first half, troubling Manuel Neuer as they put pressure on the Germany defence, but the equaliser wasn't forthcoming before half-time.

Nationalelf continued their procession in the second half without playing a wholly positive brand of football.

The Ukraine appeared dangerous from set pieces but had little drive in open play.

Schweinsteiger entered the game from the bench in the final minutes of the match, and the Manchester United midfielder made a lung busting run to put the result beyond doubt in the last seconds of the tie.

PATRIK STOLLARZ/Getty Images

The former Bayern Munich star finished on the half-volley to break Ukrainian hearts.

Germany were never in danger in the match, and they kept control of their opponents for the whole game.

Schweinsteiger's second flattered Germany at the final whistle, but their mastery in possession ensured there would only be one winner at the end.

The Ukraine were disappointing and a better display might have earned them a draw and a point in their opening game.

Modric Blockbuster Claims Points For Croatia

A world-class volley from Modric was enough for Croatia to take three points from their game against Turkey in a one-sided affair at the home of Paris Saint-Germain on Sunday.

The Galactico caught his strike perfectly in the closing moments of the first half to shock the Turkey defence.

The magical finish was captured and shared by ITV Football:

With the goal coming just four minutes before the break, Turkey had little chance to hit back before the referee blew for half-time.

The game exploded into life in the second half, as Turkey began to throw caution to the wind, hunting an equaliser on the counter.

Croatia had chances to seal the win as Turkey left space at the back. Ivan Rakitic continued to exploit the opposition in midfield—and the difference in class between the sides was obvious.

Darijo Srna hit the crossbar from a searing free-kick, and the Croatian captain also squandered a golden opportunity to seal the points minutes later.

Marcelo Brozovic could have had a hat-trick, but he failed to find the target with several excellent chances, and Ivan Perisic also hit the woodwork as Croatian fans held their heads in their hands, frightened of a sucker punch by their poor opponents.

Turkey's survival from a thrashing continued deep into the second half as the 18-year-old Emre Mor entered from the substitutes' bench.

However, the talented winger couldn't puncture the Croatia defence as they searched in vain for an equaliser.

The winners looked comfortable, and their technical superiority could take them deep into the tournament.

Modric and Rakitic bossed proceedings, and despite a late charge, Turkey were rarely in a position to overturn Croatia's lead.

Poland Spoil Northern Ireland Party

The Irish fans clearly enjoyed themselves in Nice on Sunday, vocal from the start of the game until the last kick, but their day was spoiled by a 1-0 defeat to Poland.

However, the Poles had to hold on at the end as a sea of green attacked their defence in search of a goal.

Northern Ireland were conservative in attack in the first half as they gave away the lead to their opponents.

The White Eagles scored the only goal of the match as Jakub Blaszczykowski hit the ball across the box and found Arkadiusz Milik, who tucked his effort away with power through Craig Cathcart's legs—and into the net.

The Irish struggled to initially respond after the 50th-minute goal, but they slowly worked their way back into the match as their fans' voices lit up the stadium.

Conor Washington made an instant impact when he entered from the bench in the second half, giving his side an attacking outlet.

Blaszczykowski blazed over the bar in the latter stages from outside the box, before Kyle Lafferty attempted a bicycle kick as Northern Ireland hunted an equaliser.

Michael O'Neill's men applied themselves in the last 15 minutes, but the Poles shut the door in a nervous finale.

Poland were worthy winners at the final whistle despite not creating enough chances for Robert Lewandowski to shut the door.

O'Neill will be bitterly disappointed his side were impotent in attack, but the Irish fans created a carnival atmosphere in the ground as they supported their team.

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