Following defending champions’ Spain’s victory against Czech Republic in Euro 2016, the key figures on show have been having their say on the evening’s action.
Sport360 rounds-up the best of the post-match reaction from the south of France.
Gerard Pique, Spain’s match-winner:
“We played really well, controlled the game, made lots of chances, but the ball did not want to go in.
“I had the fortune to score the goal, but the team all played very well. We attacked with a lot of order, opened up the field well, and had to keep attacking until the goal came.
“It was a great ball from Iniesta. We wanted to win as we knew it was very important to get three points in our first game. Now we will wait on the second game.”
Andres Iniesta, Spain’s man of the match:
“This is our path.
“We have achieved many successes doing this. It is our way. We have a very good team, can overcome any rival, although it is always difficult. This win will keep us relaxed, these are an important three points, and now we will keep going.
“We have played many games like this before. We try and push and push and push, so that the defence makes a mistake in the end and we can score.
“Football is like this, sometimes you have the ball a lot, and in the end the game tilted our way and we are very happy.”
Vicente Del Bosque, Spain manager:
“We have started the finals well. Three very important points. We are still in charge of our own destiny. It was a great result for us. We had the initiative for most of the game, apart from a few moments, so it was strange we had to wait so long for the goal.”
Pavel Vrba, Czech Republic manager
“It’s disappointing to concede a goal so late. We could have scored ourselves, which doesn’t often happen against Spain.
“We played at our maximum level and it is a shame not to get at least a point.”
Petr Cech, Czech Republic goalkeeper:
“I thought we did exceptionally well for 86 minutes, we were constantly under pressure but we managed to work them.
“Unfortunately their talent and quality is huge and they managed to find the goal.”