19 Jun 2016

Spain and Italy advance to last 16

6:37 am on 19 June 2016

Defending champions Spain have become the first team to score more than two goals in a game at the 2016 European football championships, beating Turkey 3-0 to advance to the last 16 in France.

Spain have won both their games in group D without conceding a goal and Turkey have lost both of theirs without scoring.

Spain beat Turkey 3-nil to advance to the last 16 at the European Football Championship.

Spain beat Turkey 3-nil to advance to the last 16 at the European Football Championship. Photo: Photosport

Croatia's match against the Czech Republic was held up for several minutes after their fans threw flares on to the pitch and began fighting among themselves.

Eight flares and other objects landed on the pitch near to riot police, who had been deployed in front of the section housing Croatia fans.

The trouble broke out in the dying minutes of a game that Croatia were leading 2-1.

Croatian fans caused trouble in their country's match against the Czech Republic.

Croatian fans caused trouble in their country's match against the Czech Republic. Photo: Photosport

Croatia, sanctioned three times during the qualifying competition, are already facing a disciplinary hearing on after fans threw flares and ran on to the pitch during their opening match at the finals against Turkey in Paris.

The English referee called the players to the centre of the pitch and consulted an official after the trouble broke out, while Croatia's players appealed for calm from the fans.

Play eventually resumed with the Czechs scoring a an equaliser with a penalty to salvage a 2-2 draw.

In the day's other match Italy also advanced to the last 16 with a 1-0 win over Sweden.

-Reuters