Spain got their Euro 2004 campaign off to the best possible start with a 1-0 win over Russia last night at Faro´s Algarve  stadium.

Earlier, Greece, who qualified ahead of Spain and forced them into the play-off competition, had upset the hosts with a surprise 1-2 victory at Porto´s Dragao stadium in the tournament´s opening match. After Paulo Ferreira unleashed a powerful 25 yeard strike for the visitor´s first, Manchester Utd.´s Cristiano Ronaldo gifted the visitors a penalty for their second goal with an unnecessary and clumsy challenge on Seitaridis; a headed goal from a Figo corner in injury time was scant consolation for the disappointed home fans.

Spain´s only goal was scored on the hour by substitute Juan Carlos Valerón, just 36 seconds after coming on to replace Fernando Morientes, with his second touch (photo) after controlling Carles Puyol´s well-measured cross. Having been forced onto the back foot for much of the first half hour, Russia had the best chance of the first half, but Alenichev´s shot was superbly blocked by Casillas in goal, who enjoyed a quiet game behind a reassuringly solid looking Spanish defence.

Saéz´s introduction of Valerón and Xabi Alonso for Morientes and Rubén Baraja put Russia´s creaking midfield under increasing pressure in the final half hour as Spain continued to pour forward in search of a second. Russia were induced into making a number of rash challenges which eventually resulted in the expulsion of Sharanov for a second bookable offence after bringing down Fernando Torres, who replaced Raúl with just over a quarter of an hour to go, on the edge of the area.