<p>Spanish football legend Andres Iniesta on Sunday added to mounting criticism of the country's suspended federation president Luis Rubiales, saying his forced kiss with Jenni Hermoso after the women's World Cup final was "damaging the image" of Spanish football.</p>

<p>"After what has happened this week, I would like to convey my sadness as a person, as a father of three daughters, as a husband and as a footballer" at what has happened around "our football and around the Spanish women's national team", Iniesta wrote on his social networks.</p>

<p>"I believe that we cannot tolerate actions like the ones we have seen, which have tarnished such a great milestone as winning a World Cup," added the scorer of the goal against the Netherlands in the 2010 men's final, which gave Spain their first World Cup.</p>

<p>Hermoso said "at no time" did she consent to the kiss on the lips following the 1-0 win in the final against England in Sydney, which Rubiales described as "mutual, euphoric and consensual".</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/football-lionel-messis-debut-goal-for-inter-miami-in-major-league-soccer-watch-629635">Football: Lionel Messi's debut goal for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer - WATCH</a></strong></p>

<p>Hermoso and 80 other Spain players, including the entire World Cup squad, said they will not play for the national team until the Spanish football federation (RFEF) "leadership" changes.</p>

<p>The majority of the women's team's coaching staff have also offered their resignations.</p>

<p>On Sunday, the RFEF's Sexual Violence Protection delegate clarified an "investigation process" was underway and that a federation press release on Saturday, responding to Hermoso's union Futpro, was not from her committee.</p>

<p>World football governing body FIFA suspended Rubiales from his post on Saturday for 90 days, while the Spanish government are working on their own suspension, which could happen Monday.</p>

<p>"I can't imagine the feeling that all the national team players must be feeling right now seeing how they are not talking about the great tournament they had and the fantastic football they taught us all," continued Iniesta. "Instead, we have had to put up with a president who has clung on to his position, who has not admitted that his behaviour has been unacceptable and is damaging the image of our country and our football around the world.</p>

<p>"It's a shame that a beautiful story that so many players have built over so many years has been soiled."</p>

<p>Criticism for Rubiales has gone far beyond the world of football.</p>

<p>"I stand with Jenni Hermoso," American actress Natalie Portman posted on Instagram.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE:</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>


Spanish football legend Andres Iniesta on Sunday added to mounting criticism of the country's suspended federation president Luis Rubiales, saying his forced kiss with Jenni Hermoso after the women's World Cup final was "damaging the image" of Spanish football.

Spanish football legend Andres Iniesta on Sunday added to mounting criticism of the country's suspended federation president Luis Rubiales, saying his forced kiss with Jenni Hermoso after the women's World Cup final was "damaging the image" of Spanish football. "After what has happened this week, I would like to convey my sadness as a person, as a father of three daughters, as a husband and as a footballer" at what has happened around "our football and around the Spanish women's national team", Iniesta wrote on his social networks. "I believe that we cannot tolerate actions like the ones we have seen, which have tarnished such a great milestone as winning a World Cup," added the scorer of the goal against the Netherlands in the 2010 men's final, which gave Spain their first World Cup. Hermoso said "at no time" did she consent to the kiss on the lips following the 1-0 win in the final against England in Sydney, which Rubiales described as "mutual, euphoric and consensual". ALSO READ: Football: Lionel Messi's debut goal for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer - WATCH Hermoso and 80 other Spain players, including the entire World Cup squad, said they will not play for the national team until the Spanish football federation (RFEF) "leadership" changes. The majority of the women's team's coaching staff have also offered their resignations. On Sunday, the RFEF's Sexual Violence Protection delegate clarified an "investigation process" was underway and that a federation press release on Saturday, responding to Hermoso's union Futpro, was not from her committee. World football governing body FIFA suspended Rubiales from his post on Saturday for 90 days, while the Spanish government are working on their own suspension, which could happen Monday. "I can't imagine the feeling that all the national team players must be feeling right now seeing how they are not talking about the great tournament they had and the fantastic football they taught us all," continued Iniesta. "Instead, we have had to put up with a president who has clung on to his position, who has not admitted that his behaviour has been unacceptable and is damaging the image of our country and our football around the world. "It's a shame that a beautiful story that so many players have built over so many years has been soiled." Criticism for Rubiales has gone far beyond the world of football. "I stand with Jenni Hermoso," American actress Natalie Portman posted on Instagram. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

I am sad as a person, father, husband and footballer: Iniesta on kiss row involving suspended Luis Rubiales

<p>The backbone of FC Barcelona, Andres Iniesta has announced on Friday that he will leave the&nbsp;club at the end of the season.</p>

<p>Barcelona captain Iniesta has spent all of his senior career at Camp Nou and has lifted 31 trophies and it is expected that the count will increase to 32 as Barca will clinch the Liga title on Sunday at Deportivo La Coruna.</p>

<p>From past few months, there were speculations that 33-year old might leave Barca and Spanish media reported that he will move to Chinese Super League.</p>

<p>On Friday, Iniesta addressed a press conference and with teary eyes, he said that he will leave Barcelona. The Spain international broke down in tears at Barcelona's training ground with all his teammates present and a packed press room burst into applause when he finished his opening statement.</p>

<p>As per the media reports, Iniesta will join a CSL giant Chongqing Dangdai Lifan.</p>

<p>Recently, Barcelona won the Spanish King's Cup and Iniesta was crying in the concluding minutes.</p>

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Andres Iniesta has announced on Friday that he will leave the club at the end of the season

The backbone of FC Barcelona, Andres Iniesta has announced on Friday that he will leave the club at the end of the season. Barcelona captain Iniesta has spent all of his senior career at Camp Nou and has lifted 31 trophies and it is expected that the count will increase to 32 as Barca will clinch the Liga title on Sunday at Deportivo La Coruna. From past few months, there were speculations that 33-year old might leave Barca and Spanish media reported that he will move to Chinese Super League. On Friday, Iniesta addressed a press conference and with teary eyes, he said that he will leave Barcelona. The Spain international broke down in tears at Barcelona's training ground with all his teammates present and a packed press room burst into applause when he finished his opening statement. As per the media reports, Iniesta will join a CSL giant Chongqing Dangdai Lifan. Recently, Barcelona won the Spanish King's Cup and Iniesta was crying in the concluding minutes. ×

Watch: End of an era as Iniesta says 'goodbye' to FC Barcelona

<p>The first leg of the UEFA Champions League round of 16 between <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/champions-league-match-preview-of-barcelona-vs-chelsea-33534">FC Barcelona and Chelsea</a> ended with a 1-1 score.</p>

<p>The third time lucky Willian scored a stunner in the second half to give <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/good-to-be-compared-with-messi-eden-hazard-33431">Chelsea 1-0 lead</a>.</p>

<p>In the first half, Willian proved two-time unlucky as he hit side post twice from both the wings, if not, then Chelsea would have leading the game by 3-0 and Willian scoring a hat-trick.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">GOAL!!! 1-0!!! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CHEBAR?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CHEBAR</a> <a href="https://t.co/UjIUmhdgrI">pic.twitter.com/UjIUmhdgrI</a></p>
&mdash; Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChelseaFC/status/966056319827480577?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 20, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Iniesta&#39;s beautiful assist to Messi equalises the score in the 75the minute to&nbsp;relax&nbsp;the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/here-is-why-philippe-coutinho-is-not-playing-against-chelsea-33539">Barcelona fans</a> and followers.</p>

<p>After the match, Iniesta said, &quot;Chelsea are one of the best teams in Europe and in general we played well. The second leg will also be a tough contest.&quot;</p>

<p>It was not only the mesmerising moment of a reverse pass and accurate hit into the bottom corner of the net also a sloppy piece of defence tackle by Andreas Christensen was the reason.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="es">&quot;Leo Messi has n̶e̶v̶e̶r̶ scored against Chelsea.&quot;<br />
&hellip;<br />
✅ Done. <a href="https://t.co/3NlCQIvLha">pic.twitter.com/3NlCQIvLha</a></p>
&mdash; FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBarcelona/status/966060110073114625?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 20, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Lionel Messi had a jinx of not scoring against English clubs which he broke today by scoring an equalizer and also his first goal against Chelsea in the last nine matches.</p>

<p>However, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/here-is-why-philippe-coutinho-is-not-playing-against-chelsea-33539">Barca</a> remains unbeaten in 31 La Liga and Champions League games under Ernesto Valverde thanks to a late rally.</p>

<p>The first warning&nbsp;was given by <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/good-to-be-compared-with-messi-eden-hazard-33431">Eden Hazard</a> when he&nbsp;fired just over from 20 yards five minutes in.</p>

<p>The match&nbsp;revolved around Chelsea striker Willian, either he was missing to score or playing exponentially amazing with bleeding nose.</p>

<p>So, a&nbsp;big shout out to Willian&#39;s performance, brilliance and fighting spirit and his ability to score from outside the box off either foot.</p>

<p>The English defending champions must now score when they travel to the Camp Nou on March 14 to have any chance of making the last eight.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/champions-league-match-preview-of-barcelona-vs-chelsea-33534">Click here</a> to know what was expected of this clash.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Lionel Messi struck for the first time in nine games against Chelsea to give Barcelona a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their Champions League

The first leg of the UEFA Champions League round of 16 between FC Barcelona and Chelsea ended with a 1-1 score. The third time lucky Willian scored a stunner in the second half to give Chelsea 1-0 lead. In the first half, Willian proved two-time unlucky as he hit side post twice from both the wings, if not, then Chelsea would have leading the game by 3-0 and Willian scoring a hat-trick. GOAL!!! 1-0!!! #CHEBAR pic.twitter.com/UjIUmhdgrI — Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) February 20, 2018 × Iniesta's beautiful assist to Messi equalises the score in the 75the minute to relax the Barcelona fans and followers. After the match, Iniesta said, "Chelsea are one of the best teams in Europe and in general we played well. The second leg will also be a tough contest." It was not only the mesmerising moment of a reverse pass and accurate hit into the bottom corner of the net also a sloppy piece of defence tackle by Andreas Christensen was the reason. "Leo Messi has n̶e̶v̶e̶r̶ scored against Chelsea." … ✅ Done. pic.twitter.com/3NlCQIvLha — FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) February 20, 2018 × Lionel Messi had a jinx of not scoring against English clubs which he broke today by scoring an equalizer and also his first goal against Chelsea in the last nine matches. However, Barca remains unbeaten in 31 La Liga and Champions League games under Ernesto Valverde thanks to a late rally. The first warning was given by Eden Hazard when he fired just over from 20 yards five minutes in. The match revolved around Chelsea striker Willian, either he was missing to score or playing exponentially amazing with bleeding nose. So, a big shout out to Willian's performance, brilliance and fighting spirit and his ability to score from outside the box off either foot. The English defending champions must now score when they travel to the Camp Nou on March 14 to have any chance of making the last eight. Click here to know what was expected of this clash.

Champions League: Lionel Messi breaks jinx after scoring against Chelsea

<p>Catalonia with the population of 7.5 million and history of over 1000 years old has voted in favour of its exit from Spain. More than 90 per cent population has voted for independence. After a long struggle, finally, they won the right to statehood and is all set to emerge as an independent nation.</p>

<p>Catalans have everything they need to flourish as an independent nation. A state which has its own police and parliament, amazing infrastructure and rich as well as varied heritage. Almost everything that is necessary for a country to get along with other developing nation.</p>

<p>The diversified and dynamic economy has contributed 18.9 per cent of Spain&#39;s GDP. Catalonia&#39;s economic trend for 2017&nbsp; is 2.7 per cent. Rich in natural resources, it&#39;s 1000 years old history and remarkable culture makes it different from rest of the Spain. Language, wine, food, festival, football has the unique association with Catalonia.</p>

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<h5>FC Barcelona club&#39;s value calculated in June 2017 was $3635 million.</h5>
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<p>But, when it comes to football, Catalonia may suffer a lot after its separation from Spain. Likewise whole Europe, Catalans also has undying madness for football. FC Barcelona holds a very important place in Spanish football leagues. Laliga,&nbsp;the most important of the Spanish league, will be incomplete without FC Barcelona.</p>

<p>After the separation of Catalonia from Spain, the club may shut down.</p>

<p>Many Barcelona players came forward in support of Catalon&nbsp;independence. Catalonian defender Gerard Pique, who also plays for the National Football team of Spain, has voted in favour of the referendum and posted in the social forum. He twitted, &quot;I already voted. Together we are unstoppable defending democracy&quot;. He promotes Catalan independence and said very clearly that he may leave Spanish football team if it is necessary.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="und">Ja he votat. Junts som imparables defensant la democr&agrave;cia. <a href="https://t.co/mGXf7Qj1TM">pic.twitter.com/mGXf7Qj1TM</a></p>
&mdash; Gerard Piqu&eacute; (@3gerardpique) <a href="https://twitter.com/3gerardpique/status/914433491747659776?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 1, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>La Liga president Javier Tebas, who himself is a Real Madrid follower, accentuated that football clubs of the Catalonian region would not be able to continue in case of independence. Barcelona playing in the Spanish Leagues would not violate any law but Tebas&#39; comments are not in Barca&#39;s favour.&nbsp;</p>

<p>There are other football teams, such as Dinamo Tbilisi and Red Star Belgrade who lost their identity after the respective countries got independence.</p>

<p>But speculations show and also indicated by club&#39;s president Josep Maria Bartomeu, &quot;Barcelona may leave La Liga if Catalonia gains independence&quot;, it may move to English Premier Leauge and flourish its football career. There are living examples of such teams, such as Monaco which plays in the French league and there are Welsh teams participating in English league.</p>

<p>Amid this chaos, FCB&#39;s captain, Andres Iniesta signed a lifetime contract with FC Barcelona despite being from Fuentealbilla, Albacete. He said, &quot;I am a Spanish but also feel for Catalans&quot;.&nbsp;</p>

<p>FC Barcelona&#39;s exit from Laliga would be a huge impact on Spanish football system. FC Barcelona club&#39;s value calculated in June 2017 was $3635 million, whereas, the revenue generated from the club is around $688 million.</p>


Laliga,?the most important of the Spanish league, will be incomplete without FC Barcelona.

Catalonia with the population of 7.5 million and history of over 1000 years old has voted in favour of its exit from Spain. More than 90 per cent population has voted for independence. After a long struggle, finally, they won the right to statehood and is all set to emerge as an independent nation. Catalans have everything they need to flourish as an independent nation. A state which has its own police and parliament, amazing infrastructure and rich as well as varied heritage. Almost everything that is necessary for a country to get along with other developing nation. The diversified and dynamic economy has contributed 18.9 per cent of Spain's GDP. Catalonia's economic trend for 2017 is 2.7 per cent. Rich in natural resources, it's 1000 years old history and remarkable culture makes it different from rest of the Spain. Language, wine, food, festival, football has the unique association with Catalonia. FC Barcelona club's value calculated in June 2017 was $3635 million. × But, when it comes to football, Catalonia may suffer a lot after its separation from Spain. Likewise whole Europe, Catalans also has undying madness for football. FC Barcelona holds a very important place in Spanish football leagues. Laliga, the most important of the Spanish league, will be incomplete without FC Barcelona. After the separation of Catalonia from Spain, the club may shut down. Many Barcelona players came forward in support of Catalon independence. Catalonian defender Gerard Pique, who also plays for the National Football team of Spain, has voted in favour of the referendum and posted in the social forum. He twitted, "I already voted. Together we are unstoppable defending democracy". He promotes Catalan independence and said very clearly that he may leave Spanish football team if it is necessary. Ja he votat. Junts som imparables defensant la democràcia. pic.twitter.com/mGXf7Qj1TM — Gerard Piqué (@3gerardpique) October 1, 2017 × La Liga president Javier Tebas, who himself is a Real Madrid follower, accentuated that football clubs of the Catalonian region would not be able to continue in case of independence. Barcelona playing in the Spanish Leagues would not violate any law but Tebas' comments are not in Barca's favour. There are other football teams, such as Dinamo Tbilisi and Red Star Belgrade who lost their identity after the respective countries got independence. But speculations show and also indicated by club's president Josep Maria Bartomeu, "Barcelona may leave La Liga if Catalonia gains independence", it may move to English Premier Leauge and flourish its football career. There are living examples of such teams, such as Monaco which plays in the French league and there are Welsh teams participating in English league. Amid this chaos, FCB's captain, Andres Iniesta signed a lifetime contract with FC Barcelona despite being from Fuentealbilla, Albacete. He said, "I am a Spanish but also feel for Catalans". FC Barcelona's exit from Laliga would be a huge impact on Spanish football system. FC Barcelona club's value calculated in June 2017 was $3635 million, whereas, the revenue generated from the club is around $688 million.

Will FC Barcelona exit Spanish football league?

<p>Barcelona captain Andres Iniesta says he wants to stay on at the Catalan club &quot;for a long time&quot; after his current contract with the club expires in 2018.</p>

<p>&quot;In 2018 my contract ends and my desire is to continue, the whole world knows this, it is no secret. But my level of performance will determine if I can stay at Barca. I hope it will be for a long time,&quot; the 32-year-old said in an interview with sports daily Mundo Deportivo.</p>

<p>Barcelona recently reached a deal to extend the contract of Uruguay striker Luis Suarez to June 2021. His previous deal was due to expire in 2019.</p>

<p>In October, the club also extended the contract of Brazilian superstar Neymar until 2021 and they have already started talks to seal a new deal with Lionel Messi.</p>

<p>Along with Messi, Iniesta is Barcelona&#39;s most decorated player ever with 29 trophies, but he is even more loved across Spain for his winning goal in the 2010 World Cup final against the Netherlands.</p>

<p>Iniesta is second behind only former teammate Xavi Hernandez as the player to have made most Barca appearances.</p>

<p>He is also hopeful coach Luis Enrique will renew his contract with Barcelona when his current deal expires at the end of the season.</p>

<p>&quot;He is very motivated, I hope we can remain together and keep celebrating things, which is what we all want,&quot; Iniesta said.</p>

<p>Barca have also already tied down Sergio Busquets and Javier Mascherano to contract extentions this year.</p>

<p>(AFP)</p>


He said his level of performance will determine if he can stay at Barca. His contract expires in 2018

Barcelona captain Andres Iniesta says he wants to stay on at the Catalan club "for a long time" after his current contract with the club expires in 2018. "In 2018 my contract ends and my desire is to continue, the whole world knows this, it is no secret. But my level of performance will determine if I can stay at Barca. I hope it will be for a long time," the 32-year-old said in an interview with sports daily Mundo Deportivo. Barcelona recently reached a deal to extend the contract of Uruguay striker Luis Suarez to June 2021. His previous deal was due to expire in 2019. In October, the club also extended the contract of Brazilian superstar Neymar until 2021 and they have already started talks to seal a new deal with Lionel Messi. Along with Messi, Iniesta is Barcelona's most decorated player ever with 29 trophies, but he is even more loved across Spain for his winning goal in the 2010 World Cup final against the Netherlands. Iniesta is second behind only former teammate Xavi Hernandez as the player to have made most Barca appearances. He is also hopeful coach Luis Enrique will renew his contract with Barcelona when his current deal expires at the end of the season. "He is very motivated, I hope we can remain together and keep celebrating things, which is what we all want," Iniesta said. Barca have also already tied down Sergio Busquets and Javier Mascherano to contract extentions this year. (AFP)

Iniesta keen to extend Barcelona contract

Spain huffed and puffed, making hard work of their Euro 2016 opener before a late Gerard Pique goal blew away the Czech Republic resistance. Yet the win could not conceal the fact that Vicente del Bosque&#39;s champions may be lacking a killer instinct.<br />
<br />
Until defender Pique&#39;s crucial late header, the holders were again largely ineffective in front of goal, just as they had been in their 1-0 loss to Georgia in their final warm-up game last week.<br />
<br />
Spain had three-quarters of the possession up until the interval and played most of the game in the Czech half, but still did not have the wit or invention to break down their more limited opponents.<br />
<br />
By the end, the champions had hit the target just five times in their 17 attempts, with Pique&#39;s 87th-minute header from a superb Andres Iniesta cross eventually sparing them blushes.<br />
<br />
It left Spain&#39;s coach Vicente del Bosque with an increasingly familiar headache. &quot;It&#39;s true that we dominate but we still struggle in front of goal,&quot; he sighed afterwards.<br />
<br />
The most important thing for the coach was that this was at least an improvement on Spain&#39;s last three opening games at major tournaments: a defeat in the 2014 World Cup by the Netherlands, a draw with Italy in Euro 2012 and a loss in the 2010 World Cup to Switzerland.<br />
<br />
They started with a sense of urgency and were most effective when they had David Silva and Jordi Alba stretching the Czech team on the flanks. That enabled them to create the first real opening of the game, with Silva&#39;s cross from the right finding Alvaro Morata in the box but his first-touch shot was kept out by the ever-excellent Petr Cech.<br />
<br />
Problems started for Spain when Silva and Alba started drifting inside, flooding the central area of the pitch and making the champions too predictable.<br />
<br />
Still, they should have gone into the break ahead but were denied by some terrific work from Cech, who managed to stop Morata twice.<br />
<br />
&quot;We would have seen a different game had one of our chances in the opening half gone in,&quot; reckoned Spain captain Sergio Ramos.<br />
<br />
Morata was replaced by Aritz Aduriz in the 62nd minute but he could do little with Spain continuing to produce long spells of possession without any incisive intent or penetration.<br />
<br />
Eventually, though, one moment of sheer star quality shone through. Andres Iniesta, still a twinkle-toed Fred Astaire of the modern game at 32, unfurled one curling, inch-perfect cross that simply demanded a thumping Pique finish.<br />
<br />
&quot;This is who we are,&quot; the Barcelona maestro Iniesta declared afterwards. &quot;We have achieved so much success because of our style of play. We have played games like this one and it&#39;s just a case of trying and trying, until the ball goes in.&quot;<br />
<br />
The problem is that the wait for those goals is incerasingly becoming a test of the Spain supporters&#39; nerves and patience.&nbsp;

Gerard Pique ensured a 1-0 win over the Czech Republic

Spain huffed and puffed, making hard work of their Euro 2016 opener before a late Gerard Pique goal blew away the Czech Republic resistance. Yet the win could not conceal the fact that Vicente del Bosque's champions may be lacking a killer instinct. Until defender Pique's crucial late header, the holders were again largely ineffective in front of goal, just as they had been in their 1-0 loss to Georgia in their final warm-up game last week. Spain had three-quarters of the possession up until the interval and played most of the game in the Czech half, but still did not have the wit or invention to break down their more limited opponents. By the end, the champions had hit the target just five times in their 17 attempts, with Pique's 87th-minute header from a superb Andres Iniesta cross eventually sparing them blushes. It left Spain's coach Vicente del Bosque with an increasingly familiar headache. "It's true that we dominate but we still struggle in front of goal," he sighed afterwards. The most important thing for the coach was that this was at least an improvement on Spain's last three opening games at major tournaments: a defeat in the 2014 World Cup by the Netherlands, a draw with Italy in Euro 2012 and a loss in the 2010 World Cup to Switzerland. They started with a sense of urgency and were most effective when they had David Silva and Jordi Alba stretching the Czech team on the flanks. That enabled them to create the first real opening of the game, with Silva's cross from the right finding Alvaro Morata in the box but his first-touch shot was kept out by the ever-excellent Petr Cech. Problems started for Spain when Silva and Alba started drifting inside, flooding the central area of the pitch and making the champions too predictable. Still, they should have gone into the break ahead but were denied by some terrific work from Cech, who managed to stop Morata twice. "We would have seen a different game had one of our chances in the opening half gone in," reckoned Spain captain Sergio Ramos. Morata was replaced by Aritz Aduriz in the 62nd minute but he could do little with Spain continuing to produce long spells of possession without any incisive intent or penetration. Eventually, though, one moment of sheer star quality shone through. Andres Iniesta, still a twinkle-toed Fred Astaire of the modern game at 32, unfurled one curling, inch-perfect cross that simply demanded a thumping Pique finish. "This is who we are," the Barcelona maestro Iniesta declared afterwards. "We have achieved so much success because of our style of play. We have played games like this one and it's just a case of trying and trying, until the ball goes in." The problem is that the wait for those goals is incerasingly becoming a test of the Spain supporters' nerves and patience.

Defending champs Spain seal last-gasp win

iniesta

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