Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick for Argentina against Switzerland, his first for the national team, as did Roberto Soldado for Spain. Arjen Robben saved his best for last with a brace and injury time winner against England, France stunned the Germans and Clint Dempsey scored the only goal in the United States’ first win over Italy.

Germany 1 – 2 France

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The Germans are probably the favorites, along with Spain, to win the Euro, but looked the inferior side for most of the match against a impressive French side. Olivier Giroud and Florent Malouda scored for France, Cacau only managed to score when it too late.

England 2 – 3 The Netherlands

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Late drama and Dutch deserved supremacy. Arjen Robben and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar scored in the space of two minutes to give the Dutch enough coasting time, but a late surge from England, with goals from Gary Cahill and Ashely Young left England with a sweet taste after a so-so performance. Until Robben got a very late winner.

Italy 0 – 1 United States

Italy did create chances and enjoy the bulk of the possession, but Clint Dempsey scored the only goal of the match to give the United States their first win over a bite-less Italian team.

Spain 5 – 0 Venezuela

I don’t exactly know what kind of test this was, but I’m guessing more decent teams were already taken. Roberto Soldado scored a hat trick after Andres Iniesta and David Silva already made their mark on a comfortable & easy stroll for the World and European champions.

Switzerland 1 – 3 Argentina

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Lionel Messi scored his first hat trick for the national side in a disappointing match in Switzerland. Messi opened with a penalty and Shakiri equalized for the Swiss early in the Second half. Messi saved his heroics for the end, scoring in the 87th and 90th minute.

Ireland 1 – 1 Czech Republic

Two teams that made it through the playoffs met in Dublin, with the Czechs looking like the better side. Milan Baros opened up the scoring, Simon Cox scored a late equalizer after coming off the bench.

Greece 1 – 1 Belgium

Greece will be heading into their third consecutive Euro, trying to shake off their negative image (although football isn’t looking much better 8 years later), drawing with the underachieving Belgium side that is packed with young talent. Dimitrios Salpingidis opened for the hosts, Nacer Chadli equalized.

Denmark 0 – 2 Russia

Although it’s just a friednly, a home defeat to another Euro side must be ringing a few warning bells for Denmark, who have an incredibly difficult group with Germany, Portugal and the Netherlands to face this summer. Russia got a comfortable draw, much more open, and won at the Parken Stadium thanks to goals from Roman Shirokov and Andrei Arshavin.

Croatia 1 – 3 Sweden

Another match between two teams who have made it, with Sweden looking rather impressive and scoring all four goals. Zlatan Ibrahimovic opened with a penalty kick and Jonas Olsson scored an own goal just before half time. Sebastian Larsson scored twice in the second half.

Romania 1 – 1 Uruguay

The Copa America champions enjoyed an early start thanks to one of the hottest strikers in Europe right now, Edinson Cavani, with Romania finding the equalizer early in the first half through Bogdan Stancu.

Israel 2 – 3 Ukraine

The co-hosts of the 2012 Euro are worried regarding the age of their squad, but they didn’t have too many problems on a soaked and windy Israeli pitch, beating the hosts, with their new head coach Eli Gutman making his debut, with goals from Oleg Gusev, Yevhen Konoplyanka and Andriy Yarmolenko. Tomer Hemed and Ben Sahar scored for Israel.