First half strikes by Slovakia’s Weiss, Hamsik down Russia in 2-1 win

Russia was defeated 2 - 1 by Slovakia in the Euro 2016 football match in Lille on Wednesday.

Slovakia deepened Russia’s woes with classy first-half goals from Vladimir Weiss and Marek Hamsik in a tense 2-1 victory in Euro 2016 Group B on Wednesday.

Russia goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev (foreground centre), reacts after Slovakia's Marek Hamsik scored his side's second goal during the Euro 2016 Group B football match between Russia and Slovakia at the Pierre Mauroy stadium in Villeneuve d’Ascq, near Lille, France. (AP Photo)

Just 24 hours after Uefa told Russia it would be expelled from the tournament if their fans caused more crowd trouble, the Slovaks outplayed them for large parts of a match contested under a closed roof because of forecasts of heavy rain.

Slovakia, after losing their opening clash 2-1 to Wales, took the lead in the 32nd minute when midfielder Hamsik hit a superb long ball to Weiss who cut inside the left-hand side of the box and curled his shot inside the far post.

Just before halftime Hamsik picked up a short corner on the left and struck his own superb curling shot across the goal and inside the right hand post.

Russia made the last 10 minutes intense with a header from Denis Glushakov but the Slovaks survived, leaving Russia with a point from a draw with England at the weekend when their fans were involved in violent clashes with opposition supporters.

Russia's Fedor Smolov looks on as fans light a flare.

Russia coach Leonid Slutsky named an unchanged starting line-up for Wednesday’s Euro 2016 Group B meeting with Slovakia.

In contrast, Slovakia coach Jan Kozak made three changes to the team that lost 2-1 to Wales in Bordeaux in their opening encounter.

Russia’s head coach Leonid Slutsky reacts during their Group B football match against Slovakia.