Slovakia took control of Group B in Euro 2010 qualifying with their 1-0 in Russia on Tuesday. Miroslav Stoch’s 27th minute goal held up to take Slovakia to six points through two matches following their second successive 1-0 victory.
Russia is the “seeded” team of the group but now sits on three points after two matches, having defeated Andorra on Friday to open qualifying. Tuesday’s match saw the return of Yuri Zhirkov to the lineup, the left back having served a suspension in Russia’s opener.
Russia, who only lost once at home in World Cup qualifying, next plays at Ireland on October 8. Slovakia’s next match is at Armenia, the same day.
33’ - Yuri Zhirkov (Yellow)
38’ - Juraj Kucka (Yellow)
Russia: Akinfeev, V. Berezutski, Ignashevich (Bilyaletdinov 81’), Anyukov, Zhirkov, Semshov (Byrstov 61’), Shirokov, Zyrianov, Arshavin, Dzagoev, Pogrebnyak (Pavlyuchenko 71’)
Slovakia: Mucha, Skrtel, Zabavnik, Hubocan, Salata, Karhan (Sapara 73’), Hamsik, Strba, Kucka (Jendrisek 58’), Stoch, Holosko
Keith Fahey, Ireland
Filip Holosko, Slovakia
Miroslav Stoch, Slovakia