Marek Hamsik scores a sensational goal as Slovakia hold on

Slovakia created the first chance of the match came after 10 minutes when a whistling shot from Hamsik ended up just above Akinfeev post.

Russia responded on the 17th minute after Smolov attempted a shot from distance that ended up high and wide of the top right hand corner.

On the 27th minute, Russia went close again as Smolov burst into space at the edge of the box and fired a shot that ended up just beyond the left-hand post.

Against the run of play, Slovakia managed to open the score on the 32nd minute when Hamsik found Weiss on the left, with the Bratislava player firing an excellent finish past Akinfeev.

Slovakia doubled the score when Hamsik scored a stunner just before half time. The Napoli man curled a shot that hit the woodwork and ended up in the back of the net behind the Russian goalkeeper.

Russia went close to reduce the margin on the 66th minute when after Smolov saw his shot being blocked, Smolnikov fired wide.

With Slovakia’s defence closing down well, Russia were finding it difficult to fight back until the 80th minute when Shatov broke to the left byline before hanging up a ball that found Glushakov who guided home an excellent header.

This goal made the Slovakia players nervous, while the Russians started to take control of the match in their search for the equalising goal. Glushakov went close again on the 87th minute when he fired wide of the left hand post.

Despite putting all their players forward in the final moments of the game, Russia failed to find an equalising goal.

This result means that Slovakia now have three points after two games, while Russia remain on a point. England face Wales in Lens on Thursday.

Russia starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Akinfeev; Shchennikov, V. Berezutskiy, Ignashevich, Smolnikov; Neustadter, Golovin; Kokorin, Shatov, Smolov; Dzyuba

Slovakia starting line-up (4-3-3): Kozacik; Pekarik, Skrtel, Durica, Hubocan; Kucka, Pecovsky, Hamsik; Mak, Duda, Weiss

Yellow cards

Durika (Slovakia)

Referee

Damir Skomina (Slovenia)