In the hours before kick-off a man was shot by police close to where fans had been gathering in the city, but the game went ahead and delivered an entertaining encounter. Poland were without their all-time top scorer Robert Lewandowski, out with a thigh injury, but put that blow behind them to stun the Dutch early on when Adam Buksa headed home. The Netherlands had been the dominant side but missed a number of chances before Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo equalised when his deflected shot flew past Wojciech Szczesny. The Dutch continued to create opportunities and Gakpo should have got his second before the break but sent Nathan Ake’s pullback over from close range. Ronald Koeman’s side continued to dominate after the break and Szczesny denied Denzel Dumfries, before exciting youngster Xavi Simons drove an effort wide after being set up by Gakpo. But just as it looked like they would have to settle for a draw, Burnley striker Weghorst - introduced in the 81st minute - snatched the win with a close-range finish moments after coming on. It is a big win for the Netherlands with France up next for them in Group D on Friday, while Poland face Austria on the same day.

Nedim Bajrami made history after 23 seconds when he thrashed a strike into the top right corner after Federico Dimarco completely miscalculated at a throw-in, but Albania's jubilation in Dortmund was not long-lasting. The underdogs sat back but failed to stymie the Italians. Alessandro Bastoni headed home Lorenzo Pellegrini's inswinging delivery after a clever short corner to level in the 11th minute, then Nicolo Barella smashed in from 20 yards to put Italy ahead five minutes later. After that, Italy's dominance increased and they entered half-time having had 72.2% of possession, with 13 shots to Albania's four. Italy continued to control the ball, but they did not have as much luck creating chances in the second half and were unable to extend their advantage. Albania, though, were toothless and Italy strolled to their first victory of Euro 2024 without any real further concern. Taking the early lead did little to help Albania's fortunes in the long run. They were expected to sit back and they did exactly that, but Luciano Spalletti's Italy clearly knew how to react. Where Albania looked to crowd out Italy, their actions instead created pockets of space on the edge of the area for the Azzurri to exploit rather than attacking the congested box. With Arsenal midfielder Jorginho and Juventus winger Federico Chiesa pulling the strings, the men in blue and white worked around Albania and carved out openings. Italy could have scored more, but Albania goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha stopped their deficit increasing. He expertly pushed a Davide Frattesi dink against the post and denied Gianluca Scamacca from close range to keep the score at 2-1. Albania improved and were able to prevent Italy hitting the back of the net again, but the pre-match underdogs could not find a way back to level terms. Their best chance of an equaliser came and went as Gianluigi Donnarumma saved a late Rey Manaj effort.

First-half goals by Alvaro Morata, Fabian Ruiz and Dani Carvajal essentially settled the outcome before the break and, although Croatia offered little, this must still go down as a statement win for La Roja. Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal became the youngest player in men's Euros history when he started the game at the age of 16 years and 338 days, but it was Spain’s most experienced player who gave them the lead, silencing the Croatia fans who poured into Germany’s capital this weekend. Ruiz collected the ball on the halfway line and had time to look up and thread a perfect pass for Morata to gallop through and slot past Dominik Livakovic for his 36th goal for his country. After waiting almost half an hour for the breakthrough, Luis de la Fuente’s side took just over three minutes to extend their lead. This time, it was Ruiz who found the net, beating two men when he was fed the ball on the edge of the area and firing in a shot that nicked off Josip Sutalo on its way past Livakovic. Croatia came close to pulling a goal back when Josko Gvardiol’s drilled shot beat Unai Simon but also eluded Ante Budimir, who tried to divert it in as it flew wide of the far post. But Spain continued to attack and wrapped up the points in first-half stoppage time when Yamal’s cross was turned home by Carvajal, who had stayed up following a corner. A goal for the teenager to go with that assist was all that was missing, with Livakovic superbly denying him from close range early in the second half. Croatia’s disappointing day got even worse when Bruno Petkovic saw his late penalty saved by Simon and then the video assistant referee disallowed his follow-up for encroachment into the area. The 2022 World Cup semi-finalists must try to kickstart their Group B campaign when they face Albania in Hamburg on Thursday, the same day Spain face holders Italy in a mouth-watering clash in Gelsenkirchen.

Kwadwo Duah justified his surprise inclusion by boss Murat Yakin as he slotted home his first international goal, before Michel Aebischer doubled Switzerland's lead on the stroke of half-time. Barnabas Varga gave Hungary hope with 30 minutes left after the striker guided Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai's brilliantly-weighted cross beyond Yann Sommer. Substitute Breel Embolo clinched the three points in stoppage time with a lovely lobbed finish over Peter Gulacsi. Scotland remain bottom of Group A after the 5-1 thrashing at the hands of Germany while Switzerland sit second - behind the tournament hosts.

The tone was set in an electric Allianz Arena after just 10 minutes as Florian Wirtz waltzed on to the ball to steer in the opener. Jamal Musiala’s ferocious strike almost punctured Angus Gunn’s net, as well as the hearts of the mass of stunned Scots behind the goal, just nine minutes later. And before the break Kai Havertz slammed in the third from the spot with Ryan Porteous’ red card leaving Scotland with the tallest of mountains to climb. There was still time for substitute Niclas Fullkrug to hammer high into the net for Germany's fourth, with Antonio Rudiger's late deflected own goal pulling one back. It was a strike celebrated wildly by the suffering Scotland crowd, only for Emre Can to mute those in dark blue as the game edged into injury time. That ensured this would be the biggest win an an opening game of a Euros.