Marek Hamsik set up the opener and came up with a contender for goal of the tournament as Slovakia beat Russia 2-1 in lille today to claim a first European Championship finals win.
Hamsik’s pass released Vladimir Weiss to score in the 32nd minute at the Stade Pierre Mauroy and the Napoli star doubled the lead in style right on the stroke of half-time.
Russia pushed in the second half but were left with too much to do, even if Denis Glushakov got one back in the 80th minute to set up a grandstand finale.
The result allowed Jan Kozak’s team to bounce back from the 2-1 defeat to Wales with which they started their Euro 2016 campaign and put pressure on their Group B rivals before England take on the Welsh in lens on Thursday.
Russia prop up the group with one point from two matches and will surely now need to beat Wales in their final group game to keep their hopes of reaching the last 16 alive.
There was a much calmer atmosphere inside the stands as the match was played with the stadium roof closed.
After a slow start Russia grew into the game and their powerful centre-forward Artem Dzyuba, of Zenit St Petersburg, nearly caught out Slovakian ‘keeper Matus Kovacik with a header after good play down the right by Igor Smolnikov.
Romania, Swiss 1-1
Meanwhile in late game kick-off between Switzerland and Romania, Stancu scored from the spot, just in the 18th minute. The spot kick was awarded after Stephan lichtsteiner committed foul on Alexandru Chipciu’s inside the box.
Minutes later, Admir Mehmedi pounced on a loose ball in area following a corner and sent a powerful drive through a packed goalmouth. Switzerland closed in on a spot in next round with 1-1 draw.