Spain: De Gea; Montoya, Marc Bartra,
Iñigo Martínez, Alberto Moreno; Illarramendi, Thiago; Isco,
Muniain (Morata 62'), Tello (Koke 84'); Rodrigo (Canales 77'). 4-2-3-1.
Russia: Zabolotnyy; Chicherin, Burlak, Belyaev,
Schennikov; Tsallagov (Kirillov 79'); Bibilov (Grigoriev 46'), Shatov, Petrov,
Yakoklev; Cheryshev (Kannunikov 57'). 4-1-4-1.
Goals:
1-0. 82. Morata. Got above defence to head wide
Thiago free kick past keeper.
A late goal by under 21 debutant Alvaro Morata was enough to give Spain a victory over Russia in their opening game of this year's European finals. With difficult ties coming up against Germany and Holland, this was a must win match, And Thiago and Illarramendi brought good saves out of Zabolotnyy before the break. Montoya and Tello also went close, and Rodrigo headed over the bar soon after the restart. Lopetegui eventually turned to Morata though, and the Real Madrid striker got on the end of Thiago's long free kick to head what was to prove the only goal of the game with eight minutes to go. A good win to start things off, although the bad news was an injury late on to Canales which will keep him out for the rest of the tournament.