Spain 1 Czech Republic 0: Czech coach Pavel Vrba hails ‘exceptional’ Andres Iniesta after Barca man inspires victory
The 32-year-old was at his majestic best with assist to Gerard Pique to spare the defending champions' blushes
CZECH REPUBLIC head coach Pavel Vrba has hailed the "exceptional" Andres Iniesta after the playmaker inspired champions Spain to a 1-0 victory in their Euro 2016 opener.
Iniesta, 32, provided the killer cross for Barcelona team-mate Gerard Pique to head home for the only goal of the game in the 87th minute.
The Barca maestro put in a man-of-the-match performance in Toulouse, completing 85 passes from Spain's midfield.
In comparison, the WHOLE Czech team completed 177 in the match.
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Vrba said after the game: "Iniesta is an exceptional player.
"We knew these opponents would be very strong; they were favourites.
"We knew it would be a test. Spain are better in possession, in creating chances. 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.
"From a defensive perspective it would have been better to attack more but I am very happy with my players."
