Ryder Cup 2016: Europe stun America with fightback led by McIlroy, Stenson and Spanish duo Rafa and Sergio

DARREN CLARKE’S lionhearts roared back from the brink of disaster on one of the great Ryder Cup days.

The shellshocked skipper was mauled 4-0 in the foursomes on a nightmare morning.

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But Rory McIlroy capped a stunning fourballs comeback with an eagle to trail 5-3 at bedtime.

Pair by pair, Clarke’s troops clawed with their fingernails to stay in touch of a fourth victory on the trot.

It all left a 45,000 crowd, packed 20-deep along the fairways and around the greens, breathless and desperate for more action today.

McIlroy, who steered rookie Thomas Pieters to a 3&2 win over Dustin Johnson and Matt Kuchar, said: “We got up early and kept the pressure on. Thankfully I redeemed myself at the end.

“It’s pretty hostile out there. You do not want that to get to you. When you hole a putt you just want to show them what it means to you.”

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AP:Associated Press

Swashbuckling Spaniards Sergio Garcia and Rafa Cabrera-Bello beat JB Holmes and Ryan Moore 3&2.

And Cabrera-Bello admitted: “After this afternoon the whole European team will be sleeping better tonight.

“It’s been a real honour to play today and alongside Sergio was extremely special. I’m proud that we played great. We felt very comfortable on the course and we rooted for one another.

“He’s great, such a world-class player. I knew that it didn’t matter if I messed up, he would be up there.”

Garcia said: “It was important because we did not have a good morning.

“We needed to go out and do something better. We are back in it.”

Henrik Stenson and Justin Rose led the fightback in match one, hammering Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed 5&4 — the duo that had beaten them in the morning.

Rose said: “We did what we do best. I relied on my partner again.”

Danny Willett and Martin Kaymer were the only losers for Clarke, as they were beaten 5&4 by Brandt Snedeker and Brooks Koepka.