Spain 1-0 Czech Republic, Uefa Euro 2016 - Pique nets late winner for defending champions

Spain make their first change of the game. Morata makes way for Bilbao's Aritz Aduriz, who gets a big cheer as he sprints onto the field.

An hour gone in Toulouse and the Czechs are in the midst of their best spell since the opening few minutes. Having said that, they're still on the back foot.

Iniesta lets fire with a rare effort from distance, now, but Cech gets all of his weight behind the ball. The wait for our first goal of the day goes on - and time is ebbing away.

David Limbersky has gone into the book, by the way. The first card of the afternoon for either side, that.

The Czechs offer the mildest hint of a threat, now. A cross is swung over from the right side and Roman Hubník meets it first time. But his effort is well held by De Gea in the Spain goal. A gentle reminder for the pre-match favourites.

There doesn't appear to be any sign of the Spaniards getting frustrated. I've been saying a goal feels inevitable since about ten minutes in - but it's still 0-0.

A goal does feel inevitable, though.

The Czechs have a little period of possession, which is pretty remarkable in the context of this game. Pique and Ramos could have negotiated the opening 50 minutes with their eyes closed, to be honest.

Ah, Spain almost pinch the lead after less than a minute of the half. A Czech defender accidentally directs a cross towards his own goal. But Cech pushes it round the post.

From the resulting corner, the ball nearly falls to Sergio Ramos but, again, the Czechs manage to hack it clear.

Right, the players are back out on the pitch and we're ready to do. Spain have 45 minutes to find a goal.

Half-time: Spain 0-0 Czech Republic

Plenty of huff and puff from the Spaniards, but they couldn't find the opening in the first half. It only feels like a matter of time, mind you.

It's one-way traffic in Toulouse but the game still stands at 0-0. No idea how, to be honest. But the Czechs will be counting down the seconds until the interval, because they need to go back to the drawing board.

Now, Jordi Alba has a powerful left-footed effort saved by Petr Cech and none of the Spaniards can latch onto the rebound. The Czechs are hanging on by their fingertips.

Iniesta takes an audacious effort from distance that has Petr Cech worried for a moment. The keeper was off his line and the Barcelona man went for glory, but couldn't quite put it under the bar.

Pass, pass, pass, pass, pass... it's all Spain but there's still something missing in the final third.

The Czechs, though, must have a rethink at the break. At the moment, they're just chasing shadows. Remember, they didn't keep a clean sheet in any of their qualifying games, which makes the current scenario all the more bizarre.

We've just gone past the half-hour mark in Toulouse and it's basically become a game of attack - Spain - versus defence - Czech Republic. A goal for the Spanish feels inevitable.

Another chance falls to Morata - they're racking up! This time, the in-demand striker's left-footed effort is pushed round the post by Cech. In truth, the angle was always against him.

But Spain are knocking on the door all the time.

The Spanish spurn another decent opening. On this occasion, Iniesta sends over a pinpoint cross, but Juanfran - up from the back - can't control it first time and the Czechs can clear.

The Czechs are doing well defensively, but they need to find a way to control the ball better when they get it. They are losing it all too easily at the moment.

David de Gea has barely had a touch, after a nervous start from the Spanish.

To underline Spain's dominance: the favourites played 118 passes in the first 17 minutes; Czech Republic managed 44.

The Spanish are impressively patient and are probing away at the Czech backline. No joy so far, though.

Spain are now well and truly on top, passing the ball from side-to-side with ease. It's beautiful to watch and they appear to be in total command, but they also lack a little bit of cutting-edge at the top end of the pitch, it must be said.

It feels like Iniesta and Cesc are wanting to pass the Czechs into submission.

Out of nowhere, Spain create a glorious chance. Silva makes a smart run up the right channel and cuts it back to Morata, but the sought-after centre-forward hits his effort straight at Petr Cech. Spain should be 1-0 up.

Spain have a freekick from the left side. Iniesta swerves it over from the left side, but Ramos can only head it wide. Never really threatened the goal, that.

The Czech's tactics are obvious: they are going to sit deep, look to soak up the pressure and then take their chances on the break. They are now forming a solid-looking defensive wall when Spanish have the ball, which is surprising given how leaky their defence was during qualifying.

The most notable action so far: Morata loses his footing and completely takes out the linesman. The surface is wet in Toulouse and some of the players are struggling to stay on their feet.

Finally, though, Spain have settle into some kind of passing rhythm, with Cesc and Iniesta at the centre of everything.

Still, Spain are looking a little disjointed. The Czechs have certainly been the better side so far, even if they have failed to trouble David de Gea.

Spain appear to be a little anxious for the moment.

The Czechs have started the game brightly, winning back-to-back corner kicks. Nothing to show for their efforts, but there's a really positive intent about the underdogs.

Spain, for their part, have yet to string any passes together.

Spain are wearing their red kit, while the Czechs are in their all-white strip.

The crowd, meanwhile, is a sea of red and there's a cracking atmosphere as we get under way in Toulouse.

Right, then. The anthems have come and the anthems have gone. Now it's time for the real action.

Here we go!

There is a sense that Spain have a point to prove in France this summer. They were dreadful during the World Cup in Brazil, but still boast some of the most talented players in European football.

Time has come for them to step forwards and reassert themselves on the international stage. Anyway, they're emerging from the tunnel now, meaning kick-off is almost upon us...

Right, the fans are packed into this ground in Toulouse. We're about ten minutes away from kick-off in these two teams' opening game of the tournament.

A win for either side will go a long way towards securing qualification for the next round, so there's plenty of motivation.

At the opposite end of the field to David de Gea will be another familiar face to Premier League fans.

Petr Cech is an old hand, of course, but he'll undoubtedly be excited to be playing in another major tournament. And if the Czechs are to get anything this afternoon, then they'll probably need the Arsenal man to be on top form.

The players are out on the pitch going through their last-minute preparations. Among them is David de Gea, who has been the centre of attention in the last few days.

Prior to the tournament, it wasn't clear if the Manchester United man or Iker Cassilas would be preferred in goal. But he has been given the nod this afternoon.

Kick-off is less than 30 minutes away.

What about the Czechs?

Naturally, as the defending champions, most of the focus this afternoon will be on Spain. But what of their opponents...?

Pavel Vrba's side knocked out Netherlands in an impressive qualifying campaign but having been drawn in a very tough group - which also includes Croatia and Turkey - their hopes of replicating that success in the French tournament looks slim.

Arsenal keeper Petr Cech and Tomas Rosicky are the main reasons to believe in them. But, in truth, should they manage to get through the last 16, it could be considered a creditable performance.

As we wait for kick-off in Toulouse, now might be a good time to familiarise yourself with the Spanish squad.

They are the defending champions, remember, but appear to have slipped under the radar following their calamitous World Cup campaign in 2014.

The question is: can they rediscover their magic, or are the Spanish a fading force? Today might give us some clues.

A lot of eyes will be fixed on Alvaro Morata this afternoon, with the young centre-forward rumoured to be attracting interest from a host European clubs this summer.

He is a man under pressure, too, as the Spanish opted to omit Chelsea's Diego Costa from their squad, which represents a massive show of faith in Morata.

Can he deliver under pressure? We're about to find out...

There's just under an hour until kick-off in this Group D game. But away from the on-field action, there have been some unfortunate developments in France since the start of the tournament.

England fans have been involved in violent scenes in Marseilles and following their 1-1 draw against Russia at the weekend, coach Roy Hodgson and captain Wayne Rooney have both called for calm.

Their plea came after Uefa warned England and Russia that they both be disqualified from the Euro 2016 tournament if there is further violence by the countries' fans.

So, David Silva will earn his 100th cap for Spain today - which is a significant achievement for the Manchester City man.

As I mentioned earlier, the Spanish will be looking to lay down a marker and prove that they remain the team to beat in this tournament.

For the Czechs, meanwhile, Tomas Rosicky starts after leaving Arsenal and despite playing just 19 minutes of football last season.

Breaking team news:

The Spain team is in and David de Gea has been named in the starting line-up. As too, has Morata.

Spain: De Gea, Juanfran, Pique, Ramos, Jordi Alba; Busquets; Cesc Fabregas, Iniesta, Nolito; Silva, Morata

Czech Republic:

Preview

Defending champions Spain will kick start their Euro 2016 campaign when they take on Czech Republic in a Group D clash.

The La Roja have won the tournament twice and start this edition of the European championship as one of the favourites.

However, the Czech will be intent on causing an upset and despite their leaky defence, they might fancy their chances of taking advantage of some of the pre-match troubles Spain have encountered.

Good afternoon and welcome to IBTimesUK's coverage of this Group D clash between Spain and the Czech Republic in Toulouse.

The defending champions seem to have slipped under the radar somewhat in the build-up to the tournament, but they'll be looking to make themselves heard this afternoon.

Stay tuned for all of the pre-match build-up, as well as the all-important team news...