Russia were able to secure a 1-1 draw with Englandin their first match of the 2016 Euro competition. England started the match on a high tempo, hoping to at least put the match to bed in the first half as they kept on hammering on the Russians but they had to wait until the 79th minute of the game to take the lead. They could not hold on to that lead until the end of the game and the three lions coach Roy Hodgson could be blamed for that draw.
England had a lot of chances to put the game to bed in the first half but they did not make it count. Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney came close with a shot on target but it was not good enough to trouble Akinfeev, Russia’s goalkeeper. Liverpool’s Adams Lallana also came close on two occasions but his efforts could not give the three lions the lead they desired. Raheem Sterling was also another England player that made valuable contributions to the team in the first half. As it was both England and Russia could not break the dead lock in the first and the half ended 0-0.
the second half started with both teams now serious to make every effort count, threatening at every chance they had but there wasn’t any magic of the sort until the 79th minute when the referee awarded England a spot kick on the edge of the Russia goal area due to a foul on Harry Kane. Wayne Rooney and Eric dier both stood over the ball but it was the later who shot a thunderous ball past the wall and goalkeeper to give England the lead. Russia came out after this as it was now all or nothing for them. The match ended in a stalemate and both teams would have to wait until their respective second matches to secure a win if they would get any in the competition.
