Russia Fans Light Flare After Goal vs. Slovakia

Beaten 2-1 by Slovakia in Lille, Russia must now win its final game against Wales on Monday and hope other results go its way to ensure qualification for the knockout phase.

The result leaves Russian Federation likely to need a win from their final group game against Wales to avoid elimination, while Slovakia have a good chance of progressing and could effectively ensure their passage to the knockout stages with a positive result against England in their third game of the tournament.

The first half strikes from Vladimir Weiss and Marek Hamsik, two players who have played at the top level in Europe, thumped the net with two strikes that came from a very hard angle.

Then, minutes later, he virtually put Russian Federation away with an absolutely stunning goal. IF UEFA take a stand against Russia’s fans, they may be forced to forfeit their final match against Wales, which wouldn’t mean much from Russian Federation but would be huge for Wales.

Artem Dzyuba broke into the box, but couldn’t get his shot through the massed ranks of the Slovakian defence.

The winger met Hamsik’s pass and cut through the Russian defence before firing passed Igor Akinfeev to give his side the lead.

“I collected Vladimir Weiss’ corner and it was brilliant”.

Defender McAuley outjumped full back Yevhen Khacheridi to meet Oliver Norwood’s free kick early in the second half, shortly before a ferocious hailstorm forced a brief interruption.

The 28-year-old collected a short corner from Weiss, before cutting back onto his stronger right foot in the penalty area and curling a magnificent shot into the far corner from a tight angle, via the inside of the post.

More than 300 people have been arrested since the start of the Euro 2016 football championships less than a week ago, the French Interior Ministry said Thursday.

His goal and performance – and potential interest from clubs beyond Napoli – were the only other subjects to really be discussed, other of course than all the controversy surrounding Russian Federation. Russian Federation seized some initial possession and created first semi-chance in the 8th minute with Dzyuba dribbling around the penalty-area, but it came to nothing.

Czech legend Pavel Nedved once described Marek Hamsik as his natural heir – and the Napoli midfielder proved that was no exaggeration with an outstanding performance capped with one of the goals of the tournament.

For the second game in a row, the Russians managed only two attempts on target and their wasteful finishing cost them dearly, with substitute Denis Glushakov’s 80th minute goal proving too little too late for them. “It is the first Euro win for Slovakia in history”.