World Cup champ Germany opens Euro 2016 with win
Bastian Schweinsteiger marked his return from injury by sealing Germany’s 2-0 win over Ukraine in the world champion’s opening game at the European Championship on Sunday in Lille, France.
Schweinsteiger, who suffered his second serious knee injury of the year in training March 22 and hadn’t played since, came on the pitch in the last minute.
Shkodran Mustafi’s header put Germany on course in the 19th minute of the Group C encounter, when the Valencia defender beat his marker to meet Toni Kroos’ curling free kick from the right and head with power inside the left post.
In a Group D match in Paris, Luka Modric’s dipping volley in the 41st minute lifted Croatia to a 1-0 win over Turkey. ...
In the other Group C match in Nice, a goal by Arkadiusz Milik in the 51st minute was enough for Poland to break down a determined Northern Ireland 1-0 and join Germany as group co-leaders.
England and Russia were threatened with expulsion from Euro 2016 by UEFA if there is further violence from their fans during the tournament.
Clashes between English and Russian hooligans escalated over three days in the center of Marseille before vicious fighting spread to the stadium Saturday.
Hooliganism that tarnished English soccer in the 1970s, 80s and 90s has been largely eradicated from domestic matches.