But it was only in the 80th minute that Russian Federation got one back with Denis Glushakov’s headed goal. “I think he is ready to play for a really big club”, declared Slovakia coach Jan Kozak.
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Vladimir Weiss scores the opening goal for Slovakia.
Slutsky claimed afterwards he had not seen the flare, which was quickly extinguished by stewards.
Ten minutes from time, Leonid Slutsky’s men did get themselves back into the game when Glushakov headed into the far corner, but despite continuing to attack a nervy Slovakian defence, they couldn’t find the equaliser they needed.
The loss means Russian Federation prop up Group B with one point from two games and must now beat Wales in their final group game to keep their hopes of reaching the last 16 alive.
Masked Russia supporters charged at England fans, punching and kicking them, after the final whistle of the 1-1 Group B draw at the Stade Velodrome in Marseille on Saturday.
Following their disappointing loss to Wales in their opening game of the tournament, Slovakia would have been fully aware of the requirement to bounce back with a positive result in Lille.
But neither set of supporters had much to cheer in an evenly balanced but uneventful opening half an hour that saw Slovakia start the brighter but Russian Federation go the closest with a Fedor Smolov shot that brushed the outside of the post on its way wide. A fantastic ball from Hamsik over 60-yards found Weiss, he cut inside on his right foot and nestled the ball into the bottom corner.
England were denied victory against Russian Federation in their opening Euro 2016 group game, with four competitive victories against Wales can they bounce back with a victory. Of course, we knew they had this as a possibility but we lost our concentration in first-half injury time.
Though largely unknown to most casual fans, Slovakia were picked as a darkhorse by many pundits coming in to Euro 2016.
“We have four or five days to prepare for that game against the big favourites in the group”.
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The impressive Hamsik doubled Slovakia’s advantage in superb style on stroke of half-time with a curling effort that cannoned in off the inside of the Akinfeev’s post. They will need to beat England in the final match of the group if they are to ensure qualification to the next round but could move on as a third-place finisher if the cards fall the right way.
