RUSSIANS SUNK
Hamsik and Weiss strike for Slovakia as Slutsky’s men head for early exit
More tears for the russians, this time without the gas. That came later in the streets of Lille. Inside the Stade Pierre Mauroy, the game passed without trouble but for one flare lit after a late consolation scored by Denis Glushakov.
It is not expected to trigger the suspended disqualification imposed as punishment for crowd trouble in Marseille after the draw with england, on Saturday, but it might lead to another UeFA charge and fine and in turn more paranoid grumbling from Leonid Slutsky and Co.
In Lille, it was the team leading russia on to an early flight home, not the hooligans.
The points were lost during a 13-minute spell before halftime when they were unable to cope with the quick-thinking of Marek Hamsik, who created the first for Vladimir Weiss and scored a fabulous second.
Until then, russia had dominated possession but the football was slow and ponderous and, together with the still air under the stadium’s closed roof, it had a soporific effect.
Perhaps it would have unfolded differently had russia seized on early opportunities, many created by right back Igor Smolnikov.
Smolnikov produced one splendid crossoss for Artem Dzyuba but his header lacked the power to beat keeper eper Matus Kozacik. cik. Fedor Smolov ov missed thee target twicee from good positions around the edge of the penalty area and Martin n Skrtel and d Jan Durica — the two centre tre halves — had enough musclecle and nous to keepp russia at bay.
Slovakia suddenly sprang into life breaking out of defence with a pass from Hamsik, struck long into the run of Weiss, who collected it with a fine touch and slipped inside past Smolnikov and Vasili Berezutski.
As the defender slid out of view, Weiss whipped the ball past goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev. It was a fifth international goal for the 26-year-old who was a highly-rated teenager during three years at Manchester City — and had loan spells at Bolton and rangers — before moving on and now plays in Qatar. Hamsik’s dribbling skills soon created another chance but his finish lacked the technique of his footwork. He ought to have made more of the chance but was forgiven or by his team- mates when he stretched the lead before half-time. racing across to collect a short corner as russia switched off, Hamsik turned towards goal, advanced into the penalty area, threw oleg Shatov a dummy, and beat Akinfeev with a screaming right-footer. Slutsky fumed on the bench. ‘ We lost concentration in injury time and it’s a very big mistake of course,’ said the russia boss.
He hauled off his central midfielders Alexandr Golovin and roman Neustadter at half-time and sent on Glushakov and Pavel Mamaev to some effect, but it took time for the breakthrough as Slovakia’s defence protected their goal, throwing bodies into the line of fire.
It was Glushakov who finally broke the resistance, reducing the lead with a header converted from a cross by Shatov. Ten minutes remained.
Having witnessed the way they rallied and salvaged a point in stoppage time against england in Marseille, the fans roared with hope and could not resist lighting a flare.
It was soon extinguished but the smoke clouded under the stadium’s closed roof. Slutsky said he had not seen it. ‘I was totally concentrated on the game,’ he said. ‘So I was watching events on the pitch.’
Slovakia became anxious and russia’s football became more direct and aerial towards the giant Dzyuba.
The best chance of the closing minutes also fell to Glushakov just outside the penalty box, but he pulled it wide on the half-volley. It was not easy.
Slovakia survived to clinch three points and will face england in Saint-etienne in buoyant mood, with the comfort of a win on the board. russia slip closer to the exit.
RUSSIA (4-2-3-1): Akinfeev 5; Smolnikov 6, V Berezutski 5, Ignashevich 5, Schennikov 5; Golovin 5 (Mamaev 46 min, 6), Neustadter 5 (Glushakov 46, 7); Kokorin 5 (Shirokov 75, 6), Shatov 6.5, Smolov 6; Dzyuba 6.
SLOVAKIA (4-3-2-1): Kozacik 6; Pekanik 6, Skrtel 6.5, Durica 7, Hubocan 6; Kucka 6, Pecovsky 7, Hamsik 8; Mak 6 (Duris 80), Weiss 7 (Svento 72, 5); Duda 6 (Nemec 67, 5). Booked: Durica.
Man of the match: Marek Hamsik. Referee: Damir Skomina 6.5 (Slovenia). EPA