Russia 1 Slovakia 2: Stunning Marek Hamsik goal opens up Group B at Euro 2016 before England vs Wales

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James Benge15 June 2016

Mark Hamsik inspired Slovakia to a 2-1 victory over Russia despite another late comeback from Leonid Slutski’s side.

Both sides spent the opening moments adding some degree of perspective to the jubilant Welsh fans and optimism in the England camp, putting together perhaps the most dire 20 minutes this tournament has seen so far.

There had been flashes of danger from Hamsik in the opening minutes but when the Napoli midfielder decided to up his game the contest was soon over.

Just after the half hour mark he spotted the run of Vladimir Weiss in behind the pedestrian Russian defence, landing a ball straight on the winger’s feet.

With one touch Weiss killed the ball, leaving two Russian defenders leaden-footed. A second touch and the ball was out of his feet, the third saw him curl a beautiful strike past Igor Akinfeev.

It was a remarkable goal, but nothing compared to the second, which will rank among the best scored at this tournament.

On the stroke of half-time Weiss’ short-corner found Hamsik on the left side of the box. He shaped to cross with his left but cut back onto his right. A powerful, curling strike struck the far post from a tight angle, leaving Slovakia two up at the break.

Nothing in the opening minutes of the second half suggested Russia, with an entirely new central midfield introduced by Slutski at the break, would challenge Slovakia’s advantage.

Barring a brief sally around the hour, when Fyodor Smolov’s goal-bound shot was blocked, that did not change until the 80th minute.

Then, with very little on, Oleg Shatov got to the byline and fired in a perfect cross for substitute Denis Glushakov to head home. Suddenly the Slovak goal was under siege, with Glushakov going close again and Artem Dzyuba finding his goalbound shot blocked.

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