European Championship
EnglandEngland1Football Union of RussiaFootball Union of Russia1

England 1-1 Russia

By Phil McNultyChief football writer in Marseille

England once again failed to start a major tournament with victory as Vasili Berezutski's stoppage-time header gave Russia a draw they barely deserved in the Stade Velodrome.

Roy Hodgson's side were dominant and fully merited the lead given to them when Eric Dier crashed a 20-yard free-kick high past keeper Igor Akinfeev with 17 minutes left.

Hodgson then removed man of the match Wayne Rooney, who had earlier seen a shot pushed superbly on to the post by Akinfeev, and replaced him with Jack Wilshere to preserve England's advantage.

It was a move that failed when Russia snatched a point - and extended England's record of never starting a European Championship with a win - two minutes into four minutes of stoppage time, Berezutski soaring above Danny Rose at the far post to send Georgi Schennikov's header looping over keeper Joe Hart.

The final whistle was the cue for more of the violence that has marred the build-up to this fixture, as Russian fans appeared to charge at English supporters behind the goal where Berezutski scored.

Did Hodgson cost England victory?

England manager Roy Hodgson got plenty right with a positive selection and the decision to play Rooney in midfield reaped a rich reward - but his boldest move may also have been his biggest mistake.

He removed Rooney straight after Dier's goal and introduced Wilshere in an attempt to retain possession, but Rooney was the player giving England control and while it was a warm night in the south of France, the 30-year-old looked fresh and fit for the fight.

True, it was a sucker punch that cost England victory but experience is needed to close out crucial wins and ultimately they did not manage it.

England v Russia
England have never won their opening game at a European Championship, drawing five and losing four

England should have had enough against a very ordinary Russia to complete the job but Rooney's removal robbed them of his craft and guidance and now increases the pressure on Thursday's meeting with Wales in Lens.

In Hodgson's defence, it must be stated that in large parts this was a vibrant, energetic performance with the emphasis almost exclusively on attack.

England were hugely impressive in the first half in particular, when their supporters inside this magnificent bowl at Stade Velodrome roared their approval as Russia were pressed into submission and made to look pedestrian.

It made that cruel conclusion even more painful.

Rooney's midfield masterclass

Rooney was the subject of some mischievous probing from the Russia media before the game as they suggested his retreat into midfield was a measure of his declining powers.

England's captain insisted he did not have to defend himself to them - and the midfield masterclass he delivered here was the most eloquent answer he could give.

Wayne Rooney
Rooney made 55 passes with an 86% success rate. Thirty-eight of those were in the opposition half, the most from any England player.

Rooney's display must be placed in context. It came against a very poor Russia side who allowed him time and space he may not get against Wales until they exerted a measure of control in the second half.

He was, however, the orchestrator of this England performance as he showed maturity and an impressive range of passing to set off a succession of attacks, especially in the first 45 minutes.

The Manchester United man drew applause from England's fans for defensive work and could have had a goal when Russia keeper Akinfeev produced a stunning save to turn his shot on to the upright.

He still has his detractors but this was a show of quality that demonstrated plenty of the old powers remain intact.

England must be more ruthless

Tough pill to swallow - Hodgson

As the chances racked up - and were not taken - in a fine first half, the argument that this England side lack a ruthless streak gained weight.

Russia looked off the pace and ageing in the face of England's exuberance.

And while Rooney's switch to midfield was a resounding success and Adam Lallana justified his selection, Raheem Sterling struggled desperately and will be fortunate to keep his place against Wales.

More disturbing scenes as fans clash again

After two days of violence and disturbing scenes involving England and Russia supporters in Marseille's old port area, the dramatic conclusion to this Euro 2016 game was the catalyst for more ugly incidents behind the goal where Berezutski headed his equaliser.

As the final whistle sounded, hordes of Russian fans ran unimpeded, and seemingly without any serious police presence or any barrier to stop them, towards England supporters gathered in their section of the stand.

Fights ensued as many England supporters attempted to retreat before some stewards moved in. Intermittent scuffles continued to break out until the section of the crowd where the trouble started was vacated.

This has been a dark couple of days for this tournament here in Marseille and the violence after the final whistle will surely be the subject of a Uefa investigation, not just into the trouble itself but the level of security that allowed it to take place with such apparent ease.

England v Russia
Some England fans tried to flee the area behind the goal after the final whistle

Man of the match - Wayne Rooney

Wayne Rooney
Great range of passing and controlled the game until he was taken off.

Post-match reaction

England manager Roy Hodgson:

"When you concede with a minute left, it is a bitter disappointment. After one dodgy spell at the start of the second half, if we take away that 15 minutes, we were in total control.

"I would have been happy with 1-0. At least it wasn't a glaring error but we go away with a draw rather than a victory.

"I thought we played well. It feels like defeat because we were preparing to celebrate a victory and we don't have that possibility now."

England captain Wayne Rooney:

"I think we played well but we didn't take our chances. The lads are disappointed not to get the win but we can take a lot of positives. We looked solid for 90 minutes. The performance was worthy of the win.

"We knew Russia had a danger man with the big lad up front. He's going to win headers and unfortunately they got a goal from it.

"It is still a point and we have to move on."

Match of the Day pundit, and former England captain, Alan Shearer:

"There are plenty of positives to take. But Roy Hodgson will be really disappointed with the result, particularly because of the way they played. It is tough on them because they really deserved more.

"We've been worried about England defensively and saying if we need to progress we need to score goals. We should have scored two or three more and been out of sight."

Stats of the day

  • England's starting 11 against Russia, with an average age of 25 years and 293 days, was their second youngest at a major finals after the 2002 World Cup match against Sweden (25 years and 206 days).
  • England had nine shots against Russia in the first half, their most in a single half at a European Championship finals since 2004 (11 against Croatia).
  • Eric Dier is the eighth Tottenham player to score at a major tournament for England, more than any other club's players.
  • Dier's strike was the first direct free-kick goal by an England player at a major finals since David Beckham against Ecuador at the 2006 World Cup.
  • Dier scored despite never having attempted a single direct free-kick shot in his 65 Premier League appearances with Tottenham.
  • Harry Kane took six corners in the game, only one fewer than he managed in his 38 Premier League games in 2015-16.
  • Kane did not have a single touch in the opposition box against Russia.
  • Vasili Berezutski's late goal was Russia's first attempt on target since the 17th minute of the game.
  • Russia have kept just two clean sheets in their past 16 games at the European Championships finals.
  • Berezutski's goal was Russia's latest ever in normal time in a Euro finals game.

Line-ups

England

Formation 4-3-3

  • 1Hart
  • 2Walker
  • 5CahillBooked at 62mins
  • 6Smalling
  • 3Rose
  • 20Alli
  • 17Dier
  • 10RooneySubstituted forWilshereat 78'minutes
  • 8Lallana
  • 9Kane
  • 7SterlingSubstituted forMilnerat 87'minutes

Substitutes

  • 4Milner
  • 11Vardy
  • 12Clyne
  • 13Forster
  • 14Henderson
  • 15Sturridge
  • 16Stones
  • 18Wilshere
  • 19Barkley
  • 21Bertrand
  • 22Rashford
  • 23Heaton

Football Union of Russia

Formation 4-2-3-1

  • 1Akinfeev
  • 3Smolnikov
  • 14Berezutski
  • 4Ignashevich
  • 21SchennikovBooked at 72mins
  • 5NeustädterSubstituted forGlushakovat 80'minutes
  • 13GolovinSubstituted forShirokovat 77'minutes
  • 9Kokorin
  • 17Shatov
  • 10SmolovSubstituted forMamaevat 85'minutes
  • 22Dzyuba

Substitutes

  • 2Shishkin
  • 6Berezutski
  • 7Yusupov
  • 8Glushakov
  • 11Mamaev
  • 12Lodygin
  • 15Shirokov
  • 16Alvim Marinato
  • 18Ivanov
  • 19Samedov
  • 20Torbinski
  • 23Kombarov
Referee:
Nicola Rizzoli
Attendance:
62,343

Match Stats

Home TeamEnglandAway TeamFootball Union of Russia
Possession
Home52%
Away48%
Shots
Home15
Away6
Shots on Target
Home5
Away2
Corners
Home6
Away4
Fouls
Home10
Away16

Live Text

  1. Post update

    Match ends, England 1, Russia 1.

  2. Full Time

    Second Half ends, England 1, Russia 1.

  3. Post update

    Jack Wilshere (England) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  4. Post update

    Foul by Denis Glushakov (Russia).

  5. Goal!

    Goal! England 1, Russia 1. Vasili Berezutski (Russia) header from the right side of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Georgy Schennikov following a corner.

  6. Post update

    Corner, Russia. Conceded by Chris Smalling.

  7. Substitution

    Substitution, England. James Milner replaces Raheem Sterling.

  8. Post update

    Foul by Raheem Sterling (England).

  9. Post update

    Oleg Shatov (Russia) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  10. Substitution

    Substitution, Russia. Pavel Mamaev replaces Fedor Smolov.

  11. Post update

    Foul by Danny Rose (England).

  12. Post update

    Aleksandr Kokorin (Russia) wins a free kick on the right wing.

  13. Post update

    Attempt missed. Harry Kane (England) right footed shot from outside the box is too high from a direct free kick.

  14. Post update

    Harry Kane (England) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

  15. Post update

    Foul by Denis Glushakov (Russia).

  16. Post update

    Offside, England. Jack Wilshere tries a through ball, but Harry Kane is caught offside.

  17. Post update

    Harry Kane (England) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  18. Post update

    Foul by Vasili Berezutski (Russia).

  19. Substitution

    Substitution, Russia. Denis Glushakov replaces Roman Neustädter.

  20. Post update

    Attempt missed. Adam Lallana (England) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Jack Wilshere.

As It Stood

A

TeamPWDLFAGDPts
1Czech Rep107121914522
2Iceland106221761120
3Turkey10532149518
4Netherlands104151714313
5Kazakhstan10127718-115
6Latvia10055619-135

B

TeamPWDLFAGDPts
1Belgium107212451923
2Wales10631114721
3Bos-Herze105231712517
4Israel104151614213
5Cyprus104061617-112
6Andorra100010436-320

C

TeamPWDLFAGDPts
1Spain109012332027
2Slovakia10712178922
3Ukraine106131441019
4Belarus10325814-611
5Luxembourg10118627-214
6North Macedonia10118618-124

D

TeamPWDLFAGDPts
1Germany107122491522
2Poland1063133102321
3Republic of Ireland105321971218
4Scotland1043322121015
5Georgia103071016-69
6Gibraltar100010256-540

E

TeamPWDLFAGDPts
1England1010003132830
2Switzerland107032481621
3Slovenia105141811716
4Estonia1031649-510
5Lithuania10316718-1110
6San Marino10019136-351

F

TeamPWDLFAGDPts
1Northern Ireland10631168821
2Romania10550112920
3Hungary10442119216
4Finland10334910-112
5Faroe Islands10208617-116
6Greece10136714-76

G

TeamPWDLFAGDPts
1Austria109102251728
2Football Union of Russia106222151620
3Sweden10532159618
4Montenegro103251013-311
5Liechtenstein10127226-245
6Moldova10028416-122

H

TeamPWDLFAGDPts
1Italy10730167924
2Croatia106312051520
3Norway106131310319
4Bulgaria10325912-311
5Azerbaijan10136718-116
6Malta10028316-132

I

TeamPWDLFAGDPts
1Portugal8701115621
2Albania8422105514
3Denmark833285312
4Serbia8215813-54
5Armenia8026514-92
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