Late Russian equaliser deals blow to England hopes
Marseille - Russia captain Vasili Berezutski headed a last-gasp leveller against England on Saturday to steal a 1-1 draw in a European Championship match marred by a third day of fan violence.
England seemed to be heading for victory when midfielder Eric Dier fired in a smashing free kick past Russia's veteran goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev. It was England's first free kick goal in a major tournament since David Beckham scored against Ecuador in 2006.
But three minutes from the final whistle in the Group B match, Joe Hart and his defence took their eye off the ball. Berezutski rose to meet a cross and sent a looping header into the net.
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England players walked off disconsolate while there was more violence in the Stade Velodrome as fans left, adding to the 31 injured in street battles in the Marseille port district earlier.
Related: UEFA 'condemns' Marseille violence that leaves fan in critical condition
"It's very disappointing," said Dier. "We gave away a draw. We just didn't see it out the right way. We have to pick ourselves up and go again."