A profligate Spain seemed set to be denied by heroics from Czech Republic captain Petr Cech. The Arsenal goalkeeper made fine first-half saves from Alvaro Morata, Jordi Alba and David Silva, whilst Czech defender Roman Hubnik turned a cross against his own post after the break.
However, the holders’ pressure finally paid off when Pique – often booed by Spain fans this season for controversial anti-Real Madrid comments – nodded home Andres Iniesta’s cross at the back post.