A defensive mix-up proved fatal for Russia in Moscow on Tuesday evening as Slovakia took all three points in a Euro 2012 qualifier.
The defeat was just the second home loss in a European championship qualifier in the history of both Russian and Soviet football.
Russia started the match the brighter, with Igor Semshov, Roman Shirokov and Alan Dzagoyev going close in the opening 20 minutes.
But a badly-hit clearance by goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev in the 27th minute left CSKA Moscow teammate Vasily Berezutsky stranded and Miroslav Stoch thundered a shot into the Russian net.
Russia came forward again in search of an equalizer and Stuttgart forward Pavel Pogrebnyak wasted a great chance, shooting wide from close in.
Slovakia, proving that their progress to the last 16 at this summer’s World Cup was no fluke, always looked dangerous on the break and could have easily doubled their lead were it not for two Akinfeev saves in quick succession.
RIA Novosti
