Russia U-21 3-0 Slovakia U-21
2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifier, Group 3
Friday 12 November, Arena Khimki

Goals: Russia - Khlusevich 34’, Agalarov 45’, Suleymanov 82’. 

Gamid Agalarov plundered his fourth goal in three under-21 international appearances on the stroke of half time to put Russia in control against Slovakia. A deep ball into the penalty area was headed back towards the Ufa striker by Lokomotiv midfielder Konstantin Maradishvili for Agalarov to nod home a simple firm header.

By that stage the hosts were already ahead at Arena Khimki thanks to a stunning strike from Arsenal Tula midfielder Daniil Khlusevich. Levante midfielder Edgar Sevikyan held the ball for a moment after running into the left channel to collect, before laying it back outside the penalty area for Khlusevich to let fly with a screamer into the near bottom corner.

Slovakia were restricted to limited opportunities, but nearly pulled one back against the run of play midway through the second half when Matus Kmet smashed an effort against the crossbar. Russia hit back with two glorious chances in the next 10 minutes, as Nikita Iosifov’s cross was cut out with Konstantin Tyukavin lurking, before the Dynamo striker’s header found an unmarked Danila Prokhin six yards out only for the centre-back to divert it well wide.

Timur Suleymanov made the pressure count with a fine third after latching onto Tyukavin’s clever reverse pass behind the defence and lashing his second touch high past the helpless keeper.

Russia remain second on 12 points, while Slovakia stay fourth on six points.

Next Euro 2023 qualifiers: Tuesday 16 November - Lithuania vs Slovakia; Russia vs Spain