It took a last gasp Gerard Pique header and a heroic performance from Andreas Iniesta to see Spain over the line in their first match of Euro 2016.
The reigning competition champions scraped a narrow 1-0 victory over the Czech Republic, with the games solitary goal coming in the 87th minute, when Pique was picked out at the back post by his Barcelona teammate to break the growing tension around the Stadium Municipal.
The assist in particular capped off a brilliant performance by the 32-year-old Iniesta, who almost single-handedly carried the Spanish over the line, after the likes of Alvaro Morata were continuously frustrated by some brilliant defending by their opposition, who may feel a little unfortunate to come away with no reward.
Naturally, much of the post-match praise has been heaped upon the Furia Roja veteran, with the victory easing nerves surrounding the side after 2014.
Here are the best reactions to come from Twitter after the result:
#ESPCZE summary? #Iniesta IS football! Enough said really
— Dani FM – #21 (@DanielFMPro) June 13, 2016
'Iniesta creates a chance'
*Copy+Paste*
'Iniesta creates a chance'
*Copy+Paste*
'Iniesta creates a chance'#ESPCZE— SBS – The World Game (@TheWorldGame) June 13, 2016
Iniesta is a football genius. #VivaEspana
“@UEFAEURO: THAT pass from Iniesta ?#EURO2016 #ESPCZE pic.twitter.com/KiBPzn9Skm”
— Paul Almeida (@AzorcanGlobal) June 13, 2016
Games best midfielder since Zidane, what a player Iniesta is #ESPCZE
— Summers (@JamesSummers19) June 13, 2016
The Czechs defended well, but Spain ultimately deserved the three points today. What a pass by Iniesta to find Pique! #ESPCZE #EURO2016
— Angelo (@AnFletch24) June 13, 2016
This man is brilliant👏🏻👏🏻@andresiniesta8 🇪🇸#ESP #Iniesta #UEFAEURO2016 #EURO2016 #ESPCZE pic.twitter.com/yrlELIVS6X
— Thies Meyer (@ThiesMeyer18) June 13, 2016
Well, #ESPCZE was like watching a kid walk on a banister. You know they're going to fall. It was only a matter of time.
— Joshua Crowe (@joshuacrowe) June 13, 2016
A respected team, there were 11 gladiators in the pitch.. #CZE #EURO2016 #ESPCZE
— Moحammed Chennaoui (@Chennaoui1980) June 13, 2016
Forget the possession stats, just look at the passes completed by the two teams – a whopping 603 for #ESP to #CZE 's 163#ESPCZE
— MitrajitBhattacharya (@MitrajitB) June 13, 2016
Sergio Ramos has got the Max Cady from Cape Fear look going with all those tattoos. #ESPCZE
— Ned Zelic (@NedZelic) June 13, 2016
Morata can't finish his dinner even if he starved for a week! #ESPCZE #EURO2016
— BOOM XHAKA LAKA!! (@YeshwanthGooner) June 13, 2016
After Pique scored from Iniesta's cross, will the spanish fans still boo Pique?? #ESPCZE
— Junior (@kmtakyi) June 13, 2016
What are your thoughts? Let us know by dropping a comment below via our Facebook comment box. Make sure you follow us on Twitter @Outside90 and like us on Facebook.
