Iberian favorite

Spain defeats Russia 1-0 on substitute Valeron's second-half goal

Juan Carlos Valeron (left) celebrates the match's only goal with David Albelda. Juan Carlos Valeron, David Albelda

FARO, Portugal (AP) -- Call it an inspired substitution.

Barely a minute on the field, Juan Carlos Valeron scored Spain's first goal of Euro 2004 on Saturday for a 1-0 victory over Russia and a big step toward the quarterfinals.

The victory leaves Spain and Greece tied atop the group after the first day of the three-week tournament. Greece upset host Portugal 2-1.

It was the first time Spain had won its opening game in a European championship since 1988 and the result is likely to greatly boost the team's morale. Seeking to shed its tag as perennial underachiever, Spain has only ever won one international trophy, the European Championship 40 years ago against the former Soviet Union.

Substituting a disappointing Fernando Morientes, Deportivo's Valeron came on in the 59th minute and, within 36 seconds, he received a low pass deep into a crowded Russian area from the right by Carles Puyol. He stopped the ball and, instead of shooting immediately, moved deftly to the left before driving it past Russian 'keeper Sergey Ovchinnikov.

The goal lifted a cloud off Spain which had suffered for an hour against physically superior and compact Russian side. Fulfilling expectations, Russia played a 4-5-1 format, stifling the Spaniards creative moves and relying on snappy breakaway attacks.

"With Valeron, we had a bit more pressure," said Spanish coach Inaki Saez. "I couldn't make that substitution earlier because it would have been suicidal. We always make a substitution like that and it always works.

"It was a very competitive game," he added. "First games are always very difficult. In the second half we had lot of chances and we should have scored more."

Second half sub Xabi Alonso had a headed goal in the 82nd minute disallowed for a challenge on Ovchinnikov.

Vicente Rodriguez had an area shot blocked and Fernando Torres lobbed the ball over the post in the dying seconds. But otherwise Spain proved virtually unable to make another strike at goal after scoring, evidence of just how excruciatingly tight the match was.

Russia lost all hope of pulling level after Roman Sharonov got a second yellow card was sent off in the 89th minute for bringing down Torres, who substituted a worn out Raul Gonzalez in the 78th minute.

"I was disappointed because the players did not fulfill the tactics, " said Georgy Yartsev. "There should have been more long balls to (lone forward Dmitry) Bulykin."

Spain sparkled for the first 20 minutes with wingers Vicente and Joseba Etxeberria raiding from the flanks.

Raul, trying to made up for a poor club season with Real Madrid, almost scored in the second minute when he left-footed the ball across the goalmouth.

But as the match settled down, Spain seemed unable to extract itself from the spider's web the Russians mounted in midfield while central defenders Sharonov and Portsmouth's Alexei Smertin starved Raul and Morientes.

The east Europeans had to wait till the 24th minute for their first attempted shot at goal from Marat Izmaylov.

Russia resorted to fouling and got four yellow cards in the first half, three of them for fouls on Vicente.

"All the yellow cards put our defense under pressure," said Yartsev. "They were afraid of being taken out of the game."

In the 27th minute, Morientes attempted to control a ball sent into the box, but was pulled down by a Russian defender with Spanish fans calling for a penalty.

Spain came close again in the 36th minute when Morientes had a low header from five meters blocked by Ovchinnikov.

Aleksandr Mostovoi, who plays for Spain's Celta, tested Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas with a low, driving shot from the edge of the area moments later.

Spain came out attacking in the second half but they soon became bogged down again in the midfield while their crosses from the wings proved far too deep.

Then Saez made the magical decision to take off Morientes. Hardly had the player sat on the bench when Valeron had put Spain ahead and sent some 20,000 Spanish supporters packing the 30,000-capacity Algarve stadium wild with delight.

Russia had some support in the stands, which included Chelsea's billionaire owner Roman Abramovich.

Valeron shows his worth in one magical minute

FARO, Portugal (AP) -- Juan Carlos Valeron needed less than a minute on Saturday to show why many people think he should be a starter for Spain at Euro 2004.

Within seconds of coming on as a substitute, the fleet-footed Deportivo midfielder scored the goal which beat Russia and handed Spain a valuable opening victory in Group A.

Regarded by many as the closest thing to Zinedine Zidane in Spain, Valeron has dazzled Deportivo fans with his creative moves. But to date, his detractors say he has too often failed on the international stage and point to his timid performances in the 2002 World Cup.

Replacing center forward Fernando Morientes, Valeron appeared in the 59th minute and, within 36 seconds, he received a low pass deep into a crowded Russian area. He stopped the ball and, instead of shooting immediately, moved to the left before driving it past Russian 'keeper Sergey Ovchinnikov.

"It's always important to win the first match because it allows you to face the next one with calm," said the Canary Islander.

But the strike was certain to increase pressure on coach Inaki Saez to play Valeron from the start and end his reliance on the duo of captain Raul Gonzalez and striker Fernando Morientes.

In many ways, Valeron's greatest failing has been his apparent incompatibility with Raul, who up to now has been considered irreplaceable in the side. Instead, Saez has tended to keep Valeron on the bench and only bring him on late in the second half along with Athletico de Madrid youngster Fernando Torres to relieve Raul and Morientes.

But on Saturday, Russia's central defenders Roman Sharonov and Portsmouth's Alexei Smertin had the measure of Raul and Morientes, who proved ineffective after the first 30 minutes.

But Saez, who has been accused of wasting Valeron's astonishing talent, defended his tactics.

"With Valeron, we had a bit more pressure," said Saez. "I couldn't make that substitution earlier because it would have been suicidal. We always make a substitution like that and it always works."

The change recalled memories of Spain's last friendly against Andorra before Euro 2004 in which the Raul-led first team played stodgily, but the substitutes brought on in the second half, led by Valeron, delighted spectators and secured a 4-0 victory.

Portugal loss brings no joy to Spanish fans

FARO, Portugal (AP) -- They may be fierce Iberian rivals but there was little joy among Spanish fans when they learned Portugal had lost the Euro 2004 opener against Greece Saturday.

Spain and Portugal were the overwhelming favorites to advance from Group A but Portugal's shock 2-1 defeat to Greece turned the whole group upside down.

Spain narrowly beat Russia 1-0 Saturday and will now play Greece on Wednesday.

"Greece will be really tough," said Spanish coach Inaki Saez. "They are not spectacular but they always create a lot of problems for everyone," he said after Spain's opener.

"I may be trying out some new tactics," Saez said, knowing a win would likely advance his team into the quarterfinals.

Any mishap against Greece though would set up a do-or-die match against Portugal on June 20.

Having the Portuguese with their backs against the wall was no rosy prospect for Spain's 20,000 fans at the Algarve stadium.

"Now they will need to beat us. Losing two games in the opening round will not be possible," said Daniel Leiva, explaining why the wry smile upon hearing the result quickly turned into anguish.

"It will be more difficult for Spain to qualify," said Miguel Botela, adding that Greece had emerged as another top contender within the space of one game. "Now we have an added challenger."

"We are going to need three good games," the Real Madrid fan said. Saturday's win over Russia was hardly an outstanding game for Spain, with Juan Carlos Valeron coming on in the second half to score the lone goal a minute later.

Portuguese and Spanish fans alike already dread the game which could mean the end for the host nation.

"The referee is going to help them. They will not be allowed to go out of their tournament so early," said another Spain fan, Antonio Rodriguez.

Others were more magnanimous toward their neighbors.

"The only time I want to see them lose is in the final against us." Botela said. "Figo plays for us in Real so I also would like him to go through," he said.

Summary

Spain 1 Russia 0 - result

European Championship, Group A

Scorer: Juan Carlos Valeron 60

Red card: Roman Sharonov (Russia) 88

Halftime: 0-0

Teams:

Spain (4-4-2): 23-Iker Casillas; 5-Carles Puyol, 3-Carlos Marchena, 6-Ivan Helguera, 15-Raul Bravo; 17-Joseba Etxeberria, 4-David Albelda, 8-Ruben Baraja (16-Xabi Alonso 59), 14-Vicente; 10-Fernando Morientes (21-Juan Carlos Valeron 59), 7-Raul (captain) (9-Fernando Torres 78).

Russia (4-5-1): 1-Sergei Ovchinnikov; 16-Vadim Yevseyev, 4-Alexei Smertin (captain), 13-Roman Sharonov, 17-Dmitry Sennikov; 22-Yevgeny Aldonin (3-Dmitry Sychev 68), 8-Rolan Gusev (2-Vladislav Radimov 46), 15-Dmitry Alenichev, 10-Alexander Mostovoi, 7-Marat Izmailov (5-Andrei Karyaka 74); 9-Dmitry Bulykin.

Referee: Urs Meier (Switzerland)

Linesmen: Francesco Buragina (Switzerland), Rudolf Kappeli (Switzerland)

Match Highlights

FARO, Portugal (Reuters) -- Highlights of the Euro 2004 Group A match between Spain and Russia on Saturday:

2 - Spain forward Raul shoots just wide of the far post from a tight angle inside the area after a pass from Ruben Baraja.

12 - YELLOW CARD. Russia's Rolan Gusev booked by Swiss referee Urs Meier for hacking down fellow midfielder Vicente.

18 - YELLOW CARD. Russia defender Roman Sharonov booked after a further foul on the tricky Vicente.

29 - YELLOW CARD. Russia defender Alexei Smertin booked for yet another a foul on left winger Vicente.

32 - YELLOW CARD. Russia's Yevgeny Aldonin booked for pulling back fellow midfielder Joseba Etxeberria.

36 - Spain striker Fernando Morientes brings a fine reflex save out of Sergei Ovchinnikov with a close range header and Etxeberria then miskicks from the rebound.

37 - Spain keeper Iker Casillas is immediately forced into a superb block after a mazy run by midfielder Dmitry Alenichev.

39 - Casillas again denies Alenichev after the Russian cuts inside and strikes a shot following a short corner.

44 - YELLOW CARD. Spain's Baraja booked for pulling back fellow midfielder Alexander Mostovoi.

HALFTIME: SPAIN 0 RUSSIA 0

46 - SUBSTITUTION: Vladislav Radimov replaces Gusev in Russia's midfield.

59 - SUBSTITUTIONS. Spain forward Juan Carlos Valeron replaces Morientes while midfielder Xabi Alonso comes on for Baraja.

60 - GOAL. SPAIN 1 RUSSIA 0. Valeron puts Spain in front with a left-foot shot from eight metres after deftly controlling a low cross from defender Carles Puyol.

66 - YELLOW CARD. Spanish defender Carlos Marchena is booked for a tackle from behind on Mostovoi.

68 - SUBSTITUTION. Russia bring on striker Dmitry Sychev for Aldonin.

72 - Raul fires a powerful shot just over the bar after a clever jinking run past several defenders.

74 - SUBSTITUTION. Russia bring on Andrei Karyaka for fellow midfielder Marat Izmailov.

78 - SUBSTITUTION. Fernando Torres replaces Raul up front for Spain.

81 - Russian claims for a penalty for handball waved away by referee Meier.

82 - Xabi Alonso has the ball in the net again for Spain but his effort is ruled out for a foul as he challenged goalkeeper Ovchinnikov in the air.

84 - Spain midfielder David Albelda booked for a crude bodycheck on forward Dmitry Bulykin.

88 - RED CARD. Russia's Sharonov, who had already been booked, for a bodycheck on Torres as he tries to break clear on the edge of the penalty area.

90 + 3 - Vicente is denied by the legs of Ovchinnikov after Spain break away following a Russian corner.

90 + 4 - YELLOW CARD. Russia's Vladislav Radimov is booked in stoppage time.

90 + 4 - Spain's Torres blasts wide from close range.

FULLTIME: SPAIN 1 RUSSIA 0

Both the Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.