On Saturday night in Marseille, England opened their Euro 2016 challenge with a Group B clash against Russia.
The Three Lions dominated the opening 45 minutes, but could not find a route past Igor Akinfeev as the two teams entered the interval on terms.
It was a similar story in the second half, but Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Eric Dier found the back of the net in the 73rd minute to send England ahead.
Russia levelled in second-half stoppage time through Vasili Berezutski, however, as the points were shared in Marseille.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Here we go then. England's challenge for the Euro 2016 crown gets underway tonight against Russia in Marseille. It is not quite a must-win match, but a defeat would leave the Three Lions chasing the pack in Group B. The time for talking is almost over – can Roy Hodgson's young lions make an impression in France? Russia will have something to say about that in tonight's clash! Game on!
Somewhat surprisingly, tonight's clash will be just the third time that England and Russia have met in international football. Both of their previous clashes came during qualification for Euro 2008 – England recorded a 3-0 victory on home soil in September 2007, before Russia won 2-1 in the reverse match one month later. This is their first meeting in the finals of a major tournament.
Right, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from Marseille. Who have Roy Hodgson and Leonid Slutsky placed their faith in for tonight's match? Let's have a look shall we!
TEAMS:
ENG: Hart; Walker, Smalling, Cahill, Rose; Dier, Rooney, Alli; Lallana, Kane, Sterling
RUS: Akinfeev; Smolnikov, V.Berezutsky, Ignashevich, Schennikov; Neustadter, Golovin; Kokorin, Shatov, Smolov; Dzyuba
As expected, England will line up in a 4-3-3 formation tonight, with Adam Lallana and Raheem Sterling operating wide of lone forward Harry Kane. That means that there is no room in the XI for Leicester City's Jamie Vardy, but skipper Wayne Rooney does start in a central midfield position alongside Eric Dier and Dele Alli. Further back, Gary Cahill will operate alongside Chris Smalling at centre-back.
As for Russia, experienced goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev starts in what is a fairly recognisable XI. Only one member of the starting team plays his football outside of Russia and that is Schalke 04's Roman Neustadter, who will seemingly operate in a midfield position. Zenit Saint Petersburg's Artyom Dzyuba leads the line for the Russians, while Fyodor Smolov will win his 15th cap in attack.
So there we have it. The two teams are in and we are now just under 45 minutes from kickoff on this warm evening in Marseille. I shall talk about Russia a little bit later, but let's start with England, who once again have high hopes entering a major competition. They disappointed at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, but there is a new look and a certain freshness to the squad this time around.
Unfortunately, there have been more unsavoury scenes in Marseille this afternoon as England and Russia supporters clashed. Despite a strong police presence, trouble was once again rife as the two sets of supporters were involved in a number of altercations. Matters do seem to have settled over the last hour, however, and spirits are high around the stadium as kickoff moves closer here.
England, of course, reached the semi-finals of the 1996 European Championships on home soil, but they have not been past the quarter-final stage since then. They made the last eight in 2004 and 2012 and famously failed to qualify for the 2008 edition under a certain Steve McClaren. It is about time that the Three Lions put on a strong performance in a European Championships!
REPORT! Wales have taken an early lead in Group B after recording a 2-1 win over Slovakia in Bordeaux. Gareth Bale opened the scoring for Chris Coleman's side, before Hal Robson-Kanu won it after Ondrej Duda had levelled for the Slovaks. That has put the pressure on England tonight.
In terms of qualification for this summer's tournament, England absolutely breezed through Group E - winning all 10 of their qualifying fixtures to finish on 30 points, nine clear of second-place Switzerland. Hodgson's side scored 31 times in their 10 matches and only conceded three times in the process.
Recent friendly results have also been impressive – beating France, Germany, Turkey, Australia and Portugal, but they did lose 2-1 at home to Nertherlands in March. For the first time in a long while, England are being considered as possible winners of a European Championship. That said, a bad result tonight and all the question marks return with a vengeance! Little under 30 minutes until KO!
Just a reminder that 16 teams will advance from the six groups into the next round. How does that work then? Well, as usual, the top two from each group will automatically make it through – 12 into the next round. The other four will come from the four best third-placed teams. It is actually pretty difficult not to make it through and surely England will not mess this chance up. You never know though.
So, England take on Russia tonight in their first Group B match, before facing Wales in what promises to be a fascinating match on June 16. Hodgson's side will then face Slovakia in their final group clash on June 20 and by that point, will hope to have secured a spot in the round of 16.
As for Russia, Slutsky's side will be attempting to make it through the group stages of a European Championship for just the second time in their history. They went out in the group stages of Euro 1996, Euro 2004 and Euro 2012, but did make the semi-finals of Euro 2008 before losing to Spain.
England will be seen as the favourites for tonight's match, but there is no underestimating this Russia side. Incredibly, 22 members of their 23-man squad play their club football in Russia, with Roman Neustadter of Schalke 04, who starts tonight, the only exception. They will be physical and well-drilled tonight and England will need to be aware of their physical abilities all over the park.
Russia qualified for Euro 2016 after finishing second behind Austria in Group G. They won six of their 10 matches, drawing twice and losing twice. They also only conceded five times during qualification, but their defence has been breached seven times in their last three friendly matches.
In terms of recent results, Russia will enter this match off the back of a 1-1 draw with Serbia on June 5. Before that, Slutsky's side lost 2-1 at home to Czech Republic and 4-2 against France. In fact, Russia have only won one of their last five matches and that was a 3-0 win over Lithuania in March.
What is ahead for Russia? Well, after tonight's match, they will take on Slovakia on June 14, before facing Wales on June 20. If I was a betting man, which I am, I would back England, Russia and Wales to go through this group. I fancy it to be tight and the third-place team to pick up enough points to advance. The time for talking is almost over as we build towards an 8pm KO in Marseille.
Just a final reminder of the two teams for tonight's match...
ENG: Hart; Walker, Smalling, Cahill, Rose; Dier, Rooney, Alli; Lallana, Kane, Sterling
RUS: Akinfeev; Smolnikov, V.Berezutsky, Ignashevich, Schennikov; Neustadter, Golovin; Kokorin, Shatov, Smolov; Dzyuba
Here we go then - both sets of players have joined us on the pitch for the first period. Once the national anthems and pre-match handshakes have taken place, we will be ready to get this Group B clash underway in Marseille. Who knows what is going to happen! Let's hope for a good game!
KICKOFF! England versus Russia in Group B. England kick us off tonight...
... it must be said that the pitch is in a wonderful condition tonight. No problems there! The atmosphere inside the stadium is also spectacular, which is good to see after the problems in Marseille over the last couple of days. It has been a bright start from England as Sterling drives forward and attempts to release Kane, but there is too much meat on the pass and Akinfeev collects.
Walker breaks down the right for England to collect a sweeping Alli pass, but Schennikov is across to make the challenge. It has been a better start from England as they force a free kick and begin to pass and probe outside of the Russian penalty box. Alli attempts the spectacular outside the box after smart work from Lallana, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. Worth a hit though!
Dzyuba is a massive man and the Russia striker has already started to throw his weight around in the opening moments in Marseille. England remain the more adventurous though and Lallana shows smart feet inside the Russia box before delivering, but Berezutsky is on hand to clear down-field!
Half-chance for Dzyuba after a smart break from Russia, but the striker cannot release a clear shot inside the box and England manage to clear. Just a couple of warning shots from the Russians!
SAVE! England break into the Russian box and Lallana strikes towards goal, but Afinfeev is on hand to make the save! Lallana has made a very bright start to proceedings for the Three Lions.
CHANCE! Another chance for England as Sterling sets up Alli with a cross from the left, but the midfielder's header moves wide of the target and Kane cannot stretch to reach it!
England are dominating this game at the moment as Russia continue to concede possession in dangerous positions. Walker again breaks down the right and delivers, but a red shirt is first to the ball and Russia can clear for another corner. England's pressure is building with 11 on the clock here.
SAVE! Smalling heads straight at Akinfeev from a corner!
Kane cuts inside and decides to release one from distance, but his effort was always wide.
While this has been a strong start from England, Hodgson might be a little concerned that his team have passed up a couple of brilliant chances. Russia will surely have a spell on top and all they need is one goal to completely change England's mentality. Still goalless with 15 on the clock here.
CHANCE! First Russia chance of the match as Ignashevich meets a free kick from the right, but his header is straight at Hart. Down the other end, Alli just fails to meet a Sterling cross!
Just a few signs that Russia are starting to grow into this match as they enjoy a period of sustained possession in the England half, but eventually the team in white regain the ball. The opening 20 minutes of this contest have absolutely flown past and England have been impressive thus far here.
Pass, pass, pass from England as they move the ball from left to right and Rose can deliver into the Russia box, but Golovin is on hand to make the clearance. Still goalless in this Group B clash.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Lallana this time as Alli finds Walker, who plays the ball into the path of the Liverpool midfielder, but his effort is just wide of the post. Should have scored!
England have been very impressive in the opening 24 minutes, but the scoreboard still reads 0-0 and Russia will grow in confidence the longer that remains the case. Super game in Marseille here.
Sterling breaks through on the Russian goal, but Smolnikov is across to make a fine tackle!
It is the England supporters making all of the noise inside the stadium at the moment as their team continue to dominate this football match. Russia are having spells here and there, but have not really tested Hart in the opening 27 minutes. All it takes is one moment of magic though!
GOAL DISALLOWED! Kane fires home after a pass from Lallana, but the Tottenham striker was clearly in an offside position. More good football from the Three Lions here.
England remain the dominant force in this match as they continue to enjoy possession of the ball, but Russia have seemingly tightened up at the back and are currently giving little away here.
Super defensive work from Rooney as the England captain halts a Russian counter, but the team in red are growing in confidence as they pass and move in the final third. England continue to make ground down the right as Walker breaks forward, but Russia have nine outfield players behind the ball.
Super defending from Berezutsky as the Russian centre-back clears ahead of Alli, who had been found by the brilliant Rooney. The England captain has been sensational thus far in Marseille.
Just a reminder that Wales have taken an early lead in Group B after recording a 2-1 win over Slovakia earlier this afternoon. England will feel that they should be ahead with 36 minutes of this contest on the clock, but Russia are just about holding on. It has been holding on as well here.
SAVE! Akinfeev punches a Rooney effort away from goal!
Kane drives a dangerous cross into the Russia box, but Akinfeev is on hand to claim and take the pressure off his defence, which is wobbling. How on earth are England not ahead in this game!
MATCH PIC!
Alli looks to feed a pass into Kane as England once again make ground down the right, but the Russian goalkeeper, who has been very busy in this first period, is out to claim. Surely Russia cannot be as bad in the second period and that is why England need to take advantage here.
Rose decides to drive a cross towards the far post, but it is too strong for Kane and Russia can resume the action with a goal kick. This first period has absolutely flown past in Marseille.
Relentless pressure from England as Rose and Walker continue to make ground in wide positions, but Russia are somehow holding on as we approach the end of the first period here.
HALF-TIME: England 0-0 Russia
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with the two teams level at 0-0. Quite how England are not ahead, however, is a mystery! The Three Lions utterly dominated the first 45 minutes from start to finish, but some disappointing finishing has let Russia off the hook here.
STATS! England have dominated the possession with 58%, while they have had 10 attempts - four of which were on target. Russia, meanwhile, only managed one attempt on target in the first period. Incredibly, there have only been 11 fouls and no cards whatsoever. It has flowed very nicely indeed!
BENCH WATCH! The longer it remains 0-0, the louder the cries for Jamie Vardy will become. Hodgson has a host of attacking talent available tonight, with Marcus Rashford, Jack Wilshere and Daniel Sturridge also all capable of making an impact. Russia, meanwhile, have the likes of Ivanov, Yusupov and Mamaev in reserve. In truth, Slutsky's side were very, very disappointing in that opening 45 minutes.
RESTART! Russia get the second period underway in Marseille...
... no changes from either manager at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I expect that both Hodgson and Slutsky will already be considering alterations in this second period.
You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - could be vital tonight. England have been much the better team tonight, but Russia would fancy their chances if they could find a goal against the run of play. Just a reminder that Wales beat Slovakia 2-1 in Group B's first match.
MATCH PIC!
CHANCE! Super defending from Cahill as the England centre-back somehow beats Dzyuba to a low cross inside the England box! First real sign of Russian intent in this second period!
Possession football from Russia as they move the ball from left to right early in the second period. No sign of England's dominance from the first half thus far, but plenty of time left in Marseille.
England have a free kick just outside the box, in a wide position, as Smolnikov fells Sterling...
... Kane delivers from the left, but somehow it bounces towards Akinfeev and the Russian goalkeeper to clear. Sterling then breaks through on goal, but the attacker was just offside.
Another England free kick as Ignashevich fells Kane some 25 yards from goal...
... CLOSE! Rooney's free kick just kisses the top of the netting!
Little over 30 minutes of this Group B clash remaining and we are still level at 0-0. You just get the feeling that one goal could win this match and it would be cruel if Russia found it. That said, the Russians would say that was part of their game-plan for tonight's match. Delicately poised here!
SAVE! Hart is forced to palm a Dier header over his own crossbar!
Russia continue to threaten and Golovin meets a loose ball outside the England box, but the midfielder's effort was always moving over the crossbar. Still goalless in this Group B clash.
Certainly more of an even contest in Marseille as Russia continue to make ground in the final third. I suspect that both managers will be thinking about changes as the second period continues to develop. In truth, Lallana and Sterling have struggled to replicate their first-half performance here.
BOOKING! Cahill (England) is booked for a late challenge on Dzyuba.
CHANCE! Smolov just misses Hart's post as Russia continue to threaten here!
Russia are currently enjoying their best spell of the match as they continue to threaten this England back four, which does not look too secure. England manage to break forward through Dier, but the midfielder loses possession and Russia can break. End-to-end football in Marseille.
We are getting to the stage of the match where both managers will be considering changes!
Make no mistake about it, a point would not be a great result for England when considering their performance in the first period. Wales also won their first game and would enter Thursday's clash ahead of the Three Lions in Group B. England need some inspiration with 69 minutes played.
SAVE! What a save! Stunning from the Russian goalkeeper as he somehow tips a close-range Rooney effort onto the crossbar! Rooney had to score, but Akinfeev to the rescue there!
BOOKING! Schennikov (Russia) is booked for a late challenge on Alli.
Free kick England in a very dangerous area...
... GOAL! England 1-0 Russia (Dier)
Dier stands over the free kick and smashes it into the top corner!
You cannot say that it has not been coming. Can Russia respond?! They certainly have the time, but they have offered very little all night and there is still no movement on their bench here.
RUSSIA SUB! Shirokov replaces Golovin in Russia's first change.
ENGLAND SUB! Wilshere replaces Rooney in England's first change.
Little over 10 minutes of football remaining and Russia will have to open up if they are to take something from this match. As it stands, they would be rooted to the bottom of Group B.
RUSSIA SUB! Glushakov replaces Neustadter for Russia.
You just get the feeling that there is one more goal in this match. Or at the very least one more big chance. At the moment, it is England that are looking likely to get it as they break forward with pace.
Kane takes over the free-kick duties this time, but his effort was always high and wide.
RUSSIA SUB! Mamaev replaces Smolov in Russia's final change.
ENGLAND SUB! James Milner replaces Sterling for England.
Not too much time left for Russia if they are to prevent an England win here.
We are into the first of three added minutes in Marseille.
Kokorin finds some space down the right and delivers into the England box, but Smalling is on hand to make a wonderful clearance. Defensively, England have been solid for large spells tonight.
GOAL! England 1-1 Russia (Berezutsky)
Russia level! It is cruel on England, but Russia have levelled this game at 1-1 as Berezutsky jumps above Rose and drops his header into the back of the net! What a cruel blow for England here!
FULL-TIME: England 1-1 Russia
So there we have it. England just could not hold on as Russia equalised in second-half stoppage time. It is another harsh lesson to learn for the Three Lions, who have had victory taken away from them in the final moment. Wales will remain top of Group B on three points entering Thursday's clash!
That is just about it from me tonight! Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to keep up-to-date with our coverage throughout Euro 2016. Until next time!
