Pique rains respite

Toulouse: Barcelona defender Gerard Pique headed a late winner as defending champions Spain overcame a resolute and determined Czech Republic 1-0 in their Group D opener in Toulouse yesterday.

Pique was the unlikely hero, as the player often booed by Spain fans this season due to perceived anti-Real Madrid comments, rose highest to turn home Andres Iniesta’s cross at the back post three minutes from time.

“It is very important to start well,” said Pique. “We played well, controlled the game, created chances, but the ball didn’t want to go in. In the end I had the luck to score the goal.” Spain’s build-up to the tournament was rocked last week when reports claimed goalkeeper David de Gea had been involved in a sex scandal.

But coach Vicente del Bosque showed his faith in the Manchester United shot-stopper by handing him the gloves ahead of legendary Iker Casillas. Czech coach Pavel Vrba had suggested his men could produce a trick or two to counter the “genius” of Del Bosque’s side, who are desperate to make amends for their first-round exit, as defending champions, at the 2014 World Cup.

And their dogged defence allied to heroics from Arsenal ‘keeper Petr Cech frustrated Spain until the dying moments.

“There is no single way of breaking down these teams,” said man-of-the-match Iniesta.

“You have to be calm, have patience and just keep working at it. “The goal came the way it did because we’ve got very good headers of the ball.”

It took Spain until the 16th minute to fashion their first real chance, right-back Juanfran sending David Silva through on the right flank for the Manchester City man to fire in a perfect delivery for Alvaro Morata.

Cech, however, was well-positioned to block the Juventus striker’s first time effort from close range.

Iniesta then picked up a mis-hit clearance just outside the area to set up Morata, who feinted before flashing a low drive wide of Cech’s far post on the half hour. Iniesta recovered from a knock on the ankle and, with Cech off his line, sent an audacious chip from 35 yards metres wide of the post.