An equaliser in injury time from Russia’s Denis Glushakov caught the English out in their first match of Euro 2016, forcing them to accept a draw.
REPORT: RUSSIA STUN ENGLAND WITH EQUALISER
Final score
England 1
Russia 1
Group B of UEFA Euro 2016 kicks off from the Stade Velodrome in Marseilles, as 1996 semi-finallists England play 2008 semi-finallists Russia. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 4:45am (AEST).
It’s been a long time since English football fans were collectively excited over their national team.
The so-called ‘Golden Generation’ has come and gone, and given way to a team of talented individuals who are viewed as icons for their respective Premier League clubs, but shorn of that identity when wearing the Three Lions badge.
That is the challenge for Roy Hodgson – with minimal expectation comes minimal hope.
In their favour lies one of the national side’s strongest ever striking contingents, if Premier League goalscoring records are to be trusted.
Form suggests Jamie Vardy should start at Marseilles alongside Harry Kane, but the role of Wayne Rooney may put paid to this fanciful notion. Rooney may occupy a deeper role than he is normally accustomed to, but it will nevertheless come at the expense of either Kane or Vardy.
Hodgson will look to his wide players to provide impetus, with Raheem Sterling and James Milner likely to roam down the flanks, while the supreme form of Dele Alli makes him a must alongside either his Spurs teammate Eric Dier or Liverpool’s Jordan Henderson.
It’s in defence where England’s worries lie. No international tournament can ever be won via a leaky back, and even with Gary Cahill and Chris Smalling, it’s a concerning state courtesy of the defensively neglectful Premier League.
Here is where Russia will feel most confident, especially if they win the midfield battle and keep England’s attackers quiet. Joe Hart will be required for heroics this tournament if England are to progress.
For Russia, matters are more simple. Like their opponents, their players largely ply their trade in the Russian Premier League, with Schalke defender Roman Neustädter the sole exception.
Yet the injection of Leonid Slutsky as head coach has overseen a smoother ride to qualification, despite last-up defeat and draw against the Czech Republic and Serbia respectively. But the Russians possess an experienced squad, especially in defence, where this match will likely be won and lost.
Their first-choice defence of Dmitri Kombarov, Sergei Ignashevich, and Vasili and Aleksei Berezutsky have more than 300 caps, and that is ignoring their long-serving goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev.
In midfield, the quartet of Aleksandr Samedov, Dmitri Torbinski, Denis Glushakov and Roman Shirokov will supplement the two upfront in Aleksandr Kokorin and Artem Dzyuba.
The Russians are battled hardened and obdurate, and the long preparation for the tournament should put to rest their infamous struggles with playing away fixtures.
Prediction
This match hinges on whether Russia’s defence can keep England’s forwards at bay, while exploiting the obvious weakness in England’s backline. A draw is a likely result, given these two factors.
Maroon Blood
Guest
Fair enough commentabout Lallana in the second half but he was excellent in the first. Why Hodgson didn't substitute him when it was obvious he was on tired legs around the 60 minute mark (Wlshere? Barkley?) seems odd to say the least.
AZ_RBB
Guest
I didn't think England were that good that they deserved to win clearly. But I still think this team is good enough to have an impact on this tournament. They really need to swap Sterling for Sturridge or Vardy. Not sure what Lallana's contribution was and would be better again to see someone like Sturridge or Vardy in his place.
Johnno
Guest
Love 24 teams at Euros
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
FULLTIME: England 1-1 Russia For me, the critical moment was when Wayne Rooney was taken off after Dier's goal - he had been controlling and marshalling the midfield very well until that point. Berezutsky towered over Danny Rose to meet the headed chance, and made it count. It's just as you suspected, England's dominance came to nothing. For Russia, what a lifeline - they were completely outclassed tonight, but draw parity. Thanks for your company this morning - it's been an entertaining performance, at least from England. Russia do their job though, and get a point from a game they were clearly second best. I'll be back tomorrow morning for the Group C game between Germany and Ukraine at 5am. Join me then. At fulltime from Marseille, it finished England 1-1 Russia. Good morning! FULLTIME: England 1-1 Russia
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
FULLTIME: England 1-1 Russia A slight outage, but very little could happen after the goal. It's fulltime in Marseille, and the equaliser was creditted to the final touch by the sub Glushakov, but make no mistake, it was Vasili Berezutsky who was the creator of the goal, that saves Russia a point! The most dramatic of finishes, following a long period of unrewarded dominance, until Eric Dier slotted in a superb free kick in the 79th minute. England looked home, but like so many times before, looking at home was not being home - and Russia get a point! FULLTIME: England 1-1 Russia
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Poms wandering around Marseille in a sullen state.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Marseille gonna be hot tonight.
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'90+3: IT HAD TO HAPPEN! THERE WAS NO OTHER WAY TO IT! Corner was cleared, but the Russian threat lived on, and Berezutsky, captain on the night, was found at the far post, and headed it to the right side of Joe Hart's goal, and England, like so many times before, drop their advantage! Russia level! England 1-1 Russia
Stevo
Roar Rookie
OMG, this was always possible tonight. Ruski's score!!!!!
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'90+2: Poor delivery cleared at the near post. GOAL - RUSSIA (BEREZUTSKY)
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'90+1: Three minutes added time - Russia's outlet is Kokorin on the right, but Smalling is alert to the threat of Dzyuba. He concedes a corner. England have vital moments remaining at Marseille. England 1-0 Russia
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'88: Now Berezutsky tries a long ball downfield, but this one is also too strong, and no one is reaching that as it bounces out of play. Minutes remaining for England to hang on, but the threat from Russia has been minimal - all match really, but even after conceding the goal. This would definitely be a deserved win if England make this, but history has its way of being cruel to English football. England 1-0 Russia
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'86: The lines get crossed there, as Shirokov plays a long ball that Dzyuba doesn't read, and it rolls out. Meanwhile, second change for England, as James Milner replaces Raheem Sterling. SUBSTITUTION (ENGLAND) OFF: 7. Sterling ON: 4. Milner England 1-0 Russia
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Sterling = disappointing. Report card reads "can do better"
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'84: Dier leaves Kane be with this free kick.This one actually is a bit further out than the free kick for the goal, and Kane kicks it well over the wall, and it's still going up past and over Akinfeev. Final substitute for Russia, as Pavel Mamayev replaces Fyodor Smolov. SUBSTITUTION (RUSSIA) OFF: 10. Smolov ON: 11. Mamayev Now, Sterling has half the field to himself down England's left, but he is eventually kept up by Shchennikov, and then fouls the Russian inside his own penalty area. England 1-0 Russia
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'83: The sub Glushakov brings down Kane, from a very similar position the goal was scored from. Is it another Eric Dier special on the way? England 1-0 Russia
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'83: Wilshere offside, but he's influential in building a promising play with Harry Kane upfront. The layoffs don't work to their full ending though, as Wilshere is clearly off when receiving Kane's final ball. England 1-0 Russia
Stevo
Roar Rookie
God Save the Queen has been on high rotation tonight.
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'81: Cross delivered in for Dzyuba, who does appear to get the ball, but it's last ditch defending from Smalling, before Walker clears frenetically. Kane is then fouled, relieving England. What became a desperate fight for a goal now turns to a nervy 10 minutes in protecting, potentially extending this advantage. England 1-0 Russia
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'79: Lallan with a pop from 15 yards, as he turns and shoots. It's not too far away, as Russia make a quickfire second change, with Roman Neustadter being replaced by Denis Glushakov. SUBSTITUTION (RUSSIA) OFF: 5. Neustadter ON: 8. Glushakov England 1-0 Russia