Euro Cup 2016 Russia Vs Slovakia Goals & Video Highlights: Vladimir Weiss, Marek Hamsik lead Slovaks to victory

Slovakia celebrated the win like they progressed through to the next round and they have every reason to believe that they can progress to the knockout stages of Euro 2016. However, their last game is against England and if Matchday 1 is any evidence, the Three Lions are a young, fast and a highly motivated side. It was a win that was well deserved but Slovakia did get out of jail in this one.

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 difficult angle. Russia, like their earlier group game, fought hard and posed several questions to the Slovak backline. They even pulled one back through Denis Gulshakov but Martin Skrtel ensured that his backline was staunch and blocked out any space for the Russians to run into or have a shot from. It was a contest that started with Slovakia needing a win. They were slow to get off the blocks against Wales and were found out in the first half. Here, the attacking third looked lively and looked like creating openings.

The goal came came 15 minutes to the half and it was one which looked spectacular; Weiss dashed down the left and cut inside, taking two Russian players away and thumped the ball past Igor Akinfeev. The angle was acute and the shot had to be accurate to go in but even the despairing dive of the CSKA Moscow goakeeper couldn’t help him get a touch on the ball. Then, there were more attacks as the men in white grew in confidence and the second one of the game bore a stark similarity to the first. This time, their talisman, Marek Hamsik cut in from the left and lofted the ball to the roof of the net and it was in. Slovaks were sensing a famous win.

Going into a dugout with a two-goal lead can be a tricky proposition and that is exactly what the body language of the Slovaks suggested. After the break, Lenoid Slutsky’s side crept their way in. The Russians are direct and leave very little time and space for the opponents to think. Three-four passes and the Russians were outside the Slovak territory. Just as how things panned out against England, the Slovaks too were under the cosh for long spells and Gulshakov’s goal was no more than what they had deserved.

The final minutes of the game turned out out to be an attack vs defense battle but Slovakia survived. Russia probably deserved a draw for their first half performance but Slovaks held on and celebrated wildly at the final whistle.





Source: India_dot_com

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