Football played second-fiddle for most of the day following violent clashes outside of the Veledrome. But despite their superiority on the park, England couldn't see out the win with Russia equalizing late on.
Image: Reuters/K. Pfaffenbach
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England were denied three points on matchday one of the European Championships, after Russia captain Vasili Berezutski headed in a late equalizer in the third minute of stoppage time.
Events were overshadowed by clashes between fans in the center of Marseille earlier in the day, leaving up to 20 hospitalized and several in a critical condition. But there was football to be played, and England, at times, lived up to the positive billing, which has followed the joint-youngest side in the tournament.
But Roy Hodgson's side, the dominant team on the night, were punished for missing a number of chances with Berezutski powering his way to goal in the last minute.
Lively Three Lions
Tottenham's Dele Alli troubled the Russian defense in the first halfImage: Getty Images/AFP/P. Ellis
England started excellently, dominating the early exchanges and making in-roads to goal through the excellent combinations between Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Adam Lallana.
Tottenham's Kyle Walker was equally as important in wide positions, overpowering left-back Georgi Schennikov. On seven minutes, Walker found Liverpool's Adam Lallana whose strike was tipped over by Igor Akinfeev, the Russian keeper. Two minutes later, Raheem Sterling's delivery was clipped on by the head of Dele Alli, but Harry Kane wasn't able to stretch far enough to convert.
Kane's placement on corner kick duty caused a little confusion given his prowess in front of goal for Spurs this season. But one of his deliveries was pin-point in the direction of Chris Smalling, but the Manchester United defender failed to find the net.
Russia's defense consisted of the vastly-experienced pair Sergei Ignashevich and Vasili Berezutski, sharing a combined 207 international appearances. Schalke's Roman Neustädter was granted Russian citizenship in May and made his competitive debut in midfield. Ignashevich's header was the most promising situation for Leonid Slutski's team who were on the back foot for long periods.
Lallana, in particular, was teasing the Russian defense with his well-timed runs from deep. Walker's draw back on 21 minutes found the former Southampton ace, who controlled the ball sweetly, yet was unable to beat Akinfeev. As the pressure was ramped up by the English, Sterling was clean through on goal but was denied by a superb tackle from Igor Smolnikov.
Punished at the death
The obvious threat for Hodgson's side was a lapse in concentration in defense. Russia tightened in central positions after the interval with Rooney's influence limited in comparison with the first half. Just after the hour mark, Fedor Smolov passed up his side's best chance, curling a shot wide of Joe Hart's left-hand post.
Eric Dier celebrates giving England the lead in MarseilleImage: Reuters/E. Keogh
In the final-third, England lost the verve and intensity of the first period, with Rooney bringing out a huge intervention from Akinfeev on 70 minutes. Danny Rose's cutback trickled through to the Manchester United star, with 52 international goals to his name, but he was denied by a fantastic save.
England fans were able to take a sigh of relief less than five minutes later when former Sporting Lisbon academy graduate Dier brilliantly finished from a free-kick, around 20 yards from goal.
Hodgson's men appeared set to clinch England's first-ever win in their first game at the Euros, before Russia landed a sucker punch in stoppage time. Berezutski leaped above Rose in the box, heading over Hart with the ball crossing the line despite the best efforts of substitute Denis Glushakov to get a decisive touch.
Euro 2016 preview: Group B
England's perfect record in the group stages make them clear favorites to advance to the knockout stages. Otherwise, Group B appears wide open, and a superstar or two may decide who makes it through.
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From poor results to perfection
If teams were ranked on their form going in to the competition, England would be top of the pile, such is the consistency and professionalism they've shown in qualifying. Not only a did they win all 10 of their qualifying games, but they also notched a friendly win over Germany, suggesting Roy Hodgson's side may be dark horses this summer.
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Tournament success has eluded England
Despite winning the World Cup in 1966, the England national team has largely under performed at European Championships. Aside from a third-placed finish in 1968 and elimination in the semifinals in 1996 the country has had very little to shout about in this competition.
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Roy Hodgson, the reformer
England managers, these days, are like endangered species. The likes of Steve McClaren and Sven-Göran Eriksson were consigned to the dust bin quickly after their respective failures. Hodgson, though, leads the Three Lions into his third major tournament since replacing Fabio Capello.
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The battle of Great Britain
An intriguing feature of group B is the coming clash between England and Wales on matchday two which has been dubbed the "Battle of Britain". The countries lock horns regularly in Rugby Union, but their last competitive meeting on a football pitch was during 2006 World Cup qualifying.
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Wales finally have a superstar
John Charles. Ian Rush. Mark Hughes. Ryan Giggs. Gareth Bale. The Real Madrid man, now a two-time Champions League winner, sits comfortably among the top Welsh players ever. Bale, 26, scored eight goals in qualification and dragged the Welsh to the finals. If he stays fit, he has the quality to take his country beyond the group phase.
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The Welsh are coming! The Welsh are coming!
For the first time in their footballing history, Wales will play at the European Championship finals. Chris Coleman's side have ascended the FIFA rankings in recent years, making the most of a talented generation which includes Bale and Arsenal's Aaron Ramsey. They certainly won't just be there for a party.
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The naturalized Neustädter
Though born in the Soviet Union, Roman Neustädter will be the first naturalized player to play for Russia in a major tournament. The Russians, hosts of the 2018 World Cup, are lacking in players who play at the highest level. Aside from Neustädter, the Russia squad is made up of domestic-based players.
If second place will be up-for-grabs, then Slovakia have a great chance. Slovakia qualified for their first European championship since the split of Czechoslovakia in 1992. Czechoslovakia won the Euros in 1976 and came runners-up in two World Cups.
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Hopes hang on Hamsik
Slovakia's only genuine outstanding player is Napoli midfielder Marek Hamsik. The 28-year-old has made over 300 appearances for the club, and is captain for his national team. The classy midfielder has been likened to former Czech and Juventus legend Pavel Nedved.