Journalism of Courage
Belgium, heralded for their superb quality and young players, started off with a demoralising 0-2 loss to Italy at Stade de Lyon on Monday. None of Belgium's star players including skipper Eden Hazard could get past a well trained Italy defence. When chances did come Belgium's way, wayward striking and poor control let them down. (Source: Reuters)
After 32 minutes of Belgium possession and dominance, Italy capitalised on a moment of poor judgement by Belgium's defence to take the lead. Emanuele Giaccherini controlled a Leonardo Bonucci long ball with his left foot and slotted past Thibaut Courtois with his right to give Azzurri the lead. (Source: Reuters)
Belgium's best chance of the game came in the 53rd minute and it fell to Everton's Romelu Lukaku who against all odds missed the target. After a swift counter attacking move comprising Eden Hazard and Kevin de Bruyne, the ball came to Lukaku who tried to chip Italy's legendary goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon but sent his shot wide. (Source: AP)
As Belgium pressed forward on the other end, they left gaping gaps at the back which was eventually made the most of by Graziano Pelle. Pelle had numerous chances to score in the game but he was either denied by Courtois or missed but this time, in the stoppage time, he thumped in an acrobatic volley to seal the game for Italy. (Source: AP)
The second match of the day was played at Stade de France between Sweden and Ireland with the fixture finishing 1-1. Ireland were dominant of the two sides and after Jeff Hendrick hit the crossbar in the first half, Wes Hoolahan scored early in the second half. Converting a Seamus Coleman pull back into the box, Hoolahan kept down a superb half volley on the bounce to beat Andreas Isaksson. (Source: Reuters)
Sweden would count themselves lucky to have picked up a point when Ciaran Clark headed in a Zlatan Ibrahimovic cross into his own goal with a Sweden shirt right behind him ready to get the touch in. Sweden finished the game without a single shot on target. (Source: Reuters)
In the first game on Monday at Euro 2016, Spain were made to work hard and strive for a win by Czech Republic and more specifically by goalkeeper Petr Cech. The Arsenal keeper was in sublime form to deny Spain on numerous instances and push away multiple cross attempts. In the 29th minute, he denied Alvaro Morata from less than three yards to keep the game 0-0. (Source: Reuters)
Spain finally got the goal they were after Andres Iniesta sent in a neat cross into the box which was headed in by an unmarked Gerard Pique past a hapless Petr Cech. With the 87th minute goal, defending champions Spain were off to a positive start at Euro 2016. (Source: Reuters)
