Russia 1 Slovakia 2: Vladamir Weiss and Marek Hamsik give battling Slovaks upper hand
Russians fightback through Denis Glushakov but it's far too late as they are forced to take a back seat in England's group
MAREK HAMSIK showed England how to floor Russia, then roared: “We’re ready for you.”
Slovakia’s midfield star created his side’s 32nd- minute opener for Vladimir Weiss and then hit what proved to be a decisive stunner on half-time.
It singled him out as the man Roy Hodgson will fear when the Three Lions face Slovakia in their final Group B game.
And if England fail to beat Wales today, Monday’s clash could prove a must-win game for Hodgson’s men.
Hamsik said: “We’ll see how England and Wales get on but we don’t need to be too interested in that because we’ll be ready for the group’s biggest favourites on Monday.
“This is a big win for us. It’s opened up our way for a chance to reach the last 16.”
It was Slovakia’s first win at a Euros and coach Jan Kozak reckons it will give his side huge belief of getting the result they need against England.
He said: “It’s a massive honour to face England at any time but to play them with a chance to go through to the knockout stages will be a wonderful experience.”
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It was not just Hamsik’s quality passing and finishing that was an eye-opener here.
The Napoli ace also ran seven miles over the 90 minutes — more than any other player.
No wonder he continues to be linked with a move to the Premier League.
Kozak added: “Napoli are too small for him. He should be at a much bigger club in Europe.”
This match was bizarrely played INDOORS as the Euro 2016 organisers decided to close the Stade Pierre Mauroy roof.
Thankfully, there was no repeat of shameful scenes in Marseilles when Russian fans attacked England fans.
But a flare was set off in their end after Denis Glushakov’s 81st-minute goal, to again raise security concerns, though Russia boss Leonid Slutski did an Arsene Wenger impression when quizzed about it.
He said: “I did not see it.”
Weiss fired Slovakia ahead after being picked out by Hamsik’s wonderful 35-yard pass.
The former Manchester City kid then cut inside woeful defenders Vasili Berezutski and Igor Smolnikov, before firing past keeper Igor Akinfeev.
Hamsik topped that from a short corner, when he cut into the box and smashed home a shot into the top corner.
Russia set up a tight finish when Oleg Shatov’s pull-back was headed in by Glushakov.
But there was no late rescue job like against England and defeat to Wales on Monday will end the argument on whether Russia should be sent home or not — they will be out anyway.
