England vs. Russia: Score and Twitter Reaction from Euro 2016

England drew their UEFA Euro 2016 opener 1-1 against Russia on Saturday, as Vasili Berezutski scored a late equaliser to earn his side a point.

The Three Lions dominated the first half but failed to turn their handful of chances into a goal, and while the Russians were disappointing before the break, they put together a far better showing in the second half.

Russia had their chances, but so did England, who went close on a few occasions before Eric Dier struck on 73 minutes with a free-kick.

Russia barely put together a late push for a winner, but Berezutski powered a looping header over Joe Hart in injury time to earn his side a point. England will play neighbours Wales in their next match, while Russia will take on Slovakia.

As shared by Euro 2016's official Twitter account, Leicester City star Jamie Vardy started on the bench for England:

Per Bleacher Report UK, the Three Lions' record in Euro opening matches was less than stellar entering the clash:

England started the match with plenty of attacking intentions, and Dele Alli fired the first shot wide of Igor Akinfeev's goal after Adam Lallana pulled it back. On the other side of the pitch, Artem Dzyuba used his strength to gain control of a cross, but his volley attempt was blocked.

Kyle Walker went on a surging run before teeing up Lallana, who tested Akinfeev for the first time but struck a shot right at the stopper. Minutes later, Harry Kane came just short of poking an inviting cross home.

Meanwhile, ESPN FC's Mike L. Goodman worried about England's defence:

Kane picked out Chris Smalling with a corner kick, but again, Akinfeev found himself in position to make a routine save.

Igor Smolnikov struggled to deal with Raheem Sterling's pace, and Wayne Rooney was in control of the midfield battle, distributing the ball well. Russia barely threatened, though Sergei Ignashevich tested Hart for the first time with a header off a free-kick.

Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

With Alli lurking, Danny Rose hit a hard, low cross into the box that evaded everyone, but his second cross wasn't as impressive, as he lofted a weak ball straight at a Russian defender with several attackers waiting.

Per Squawka Football, England's early advantage was visible in the stats:

Lallana missed another fantastic chance after a great run by Walker when from inside the box he angled a shot just wide of Akinfeev's post. Minutes later, Sterling used his speed to find space in front of Akinfeev, but the defence returned just in time to block any attempt.

Bleacher Report UK's Sam Tighe liked what he saw from the Three Lions:

After 27 minutes, Kane finally put the ball in the net, but he was clearly offside in the buildup to the goal, and the Russians had stopped playing by the time it reached the Tottenham Hotspur man. Alli found Rooney on the edge of the box after a great run, but Akinfeev saved his volley.

The CSKA Moscow keeper didn't let a sharp cross from Kane surprise him, and he quickly came off his line when the Spurs man was played into the back of the defence shortly after.

Akinfeev made another good save after an angled cross from Rose fell into the box with time running out in the first half.

Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Russia started the second half with more attacking intent, taking control of the ball early. Aleksandr Kokorin battled his way into the box and nearly reached Dzyuba, who became the focal point of Russia's long-ball attack.

Kane ripped a free-kick straight through the pack of players, with Akinfeev taking care of the rebound before the action came to a halt for an offside call. Rooney also tried his luck with a free-kick, but he missed the goal entirely with his effort.

Ariel Schalit/Associated Press

Dier nearly put the ball in his own net after a corner, forcing Hart to tip it over the bar, and Aleksandr Golovin's volley from the resulting corner was well wide. Dzyuba also had a half-chance, and Russia continued improving.

Mirror Football were not entirely happy:

Fedor Smolov curled a shot just inches wide as Russia increased pressure, but England started prodding for a goal as well. Alli almost found space in the back of the defence, but Rooney's long pass was hit just a little too hard, and Akinfeev collected the ball comfortably.

A quick counter led to England's best chance up until that point, with Rose picking out Rooney, whose low shot Akinfeev saved in spectacular fashion. The ball took an odd bounce off his fist and hit the crossbar, and Lallana hit the post with the rebound from an offside position.

ESPN FC's Dermot Corrigan was stunned by the Russian's save:

But England broke through minutes later. A foul on Alli led to a free-kick from just outside the box, and Dier placed a beautiful shot into the top corner—just beyond the reach of the Russian goalkeeper.

Bleacher Report UK's Karl Matchett was among the many fans who didn't see Dier's free-kick coming:

The goal gave England a major boost, and space started opening up for the counter. Kane had a shot blocked after a lovely move, and Lallana sent a wild shot over the bar. Russia's answer was limited, though Dzyuba nearly connected with a high cross.

Kane had another shooting chance, blasting a free-kick over, and England appeared to be on their way to an easy win as the Russians barely mounted a threat.

However, a high cross deep in injury time fell to Berezutski, who outjumped Rose and gave Hart no chance.

Russian fans breached the barriers separating the two sets of supporters and started a riot in the Stade de Velodrome after the final whistle, as an excellent night of football descended into chaos, per Ian Herbert of the Independent. 

Post-Match Reaction

Per the team's official Twitter account, England manager Roy Hodgson was understandably disappointed:

The result is a setback for England, who dominated large stretches of the match and should have come away with a win. Their anticipated clash with Wales becomes all the more important, as the Welsh won their opener against Slovakia and looked solid and organised doing so.

If the Three Lions don't beat Wales, they could be facing a win-or-go-home game against Slovakia, and their chances of winning Group B―and grabbing a top seed in the process―would be all but gone.