Russia have opened their Euro 2012 campaign with an emphatic 4-1 win over the Czech Republic at the Municipal Stadium in Wraclow.
The Czechs had an early opportunity to take the lead, but Roman Hubnik headed wide from a free kick. Russia came close soon after when Aleksandr Kerzhakov saw his wayward effort miss the target.
However, the Russians made the breakthrough minutes later as Alan Dzagoev lashed in the rebound after Kerzhakov had hit the post with his flicked header.
Dzagoev then missed a glorious opportunity when he sliced wide, but Roman Shirokov doubled Russia's lead in the 23rd minute when he collected Andrey Arshavin's threaded ball before dinking over the oncoming Petr Cech.
Kerzhakov, who missed a number of chances throughout the match, should have done better at the start of the second half as he smashed the ball wide of Cech's goal.
Despite Russia's dominance, the Czech Republic reduced the deficit on 51 minutes when Vaclav Pilar rounded Vyacheslav Malafeev before slotting in.
Konstantin Zyryanov then hit a speculative strike well over the bar, while Kerzhakov again dragged wide from a good position.
Tomas Rosicky forced a good save from Malfeev midway through the half, but Russia sealed the win with 12 minutes to go as Dzagoev fired in after being found by the impressive Arshavin.
It was 4-1 in the final 10 minutes thanks to substitute Roman Pavlyuchenko's fierce strike from the edge of the area.
Jack Prescott
