Spain's supersub Valeron knocks Russia out cold

Spanish midfielder Juan Carlos Valeron (C) is congratulated by his teammate midfielder Vicente (R) after scoring a goal against Russia at Faro stadium during their opening match at the European Nations football championships.

Spain needed an inspired substitution to defeat Russia 1-0 in their opening match of Euro 2004 here with Juan Carlos Valeron scoring the winner just 36 seconds after coming on.

Spain, traditionally slow starters, are now in the driving seat to qualify for the quarter-finals, particularly after Group A favourites Portugal crashed to a 2-1 defeat against Greece earlier Saturday.

With Spain on the back foot, coach Inaki Saez threw on Deportivo La Coruna midfielder Valeron on the hour mark and he fired home Carles Puyol's cross.

Spain's win in front of 28,180 fans at the Algarve Stadium eases the tension ahead of their next match against Greece on Wednesday as they bid to win the European title for the first time in 40 years.

Russian coach Georgy Yartsev claimed the heat would work against his charges, more accustomed to snow than sun, and they looked slower in the opening quarter hour as Spain camped in their half.

Spanish midfielder Juan Carlos Valeron (R) scores a goal against Russia at Faro stadium, during their opening match at the European Nations football championships.

In the second minute Real Madrid striker Raul almost notched his 39th goal for his country but his shot arrowed wide of the post.

Spain, the 1984 finalists, gradually took control and Swiss referee Urs Meier cautioned three Russian players - Rolan Gusev, Roman Sharanov and captain Alexei Smertin - in the first half hour.

With the Russian rearguard walking a tightrope, Valencia winger Vicente was being afforded too much space and he created the Spaniards' best chance on 35 minutes, darting to the byline before somehow cutting a pinpoint cross back to Fernando Morientes metres from goal.

But the Monaco marksman crashed a shot at goalkeeper Sergey Ovchinnikov and the chance was gone.

Sixty seconds later Russia's talisman Dimitri Alenichev, who plays his club football for FC Porto in Portugal, sparked his team into life with a majestic run as he danced around two flat-footed Spanish defenders with brilliant footwork only to see his effort parried by Iker Casillas.

Spanish striker Raul (C) tries to break away from Russian defender Dmitry Sennikov (L) and Russian defender Roman Sharonov at Faro stadium during their first match in the European Nations football championships in Portugal.

The pendulum suddenly swung in Russia's favour with Alenichev pulling the strings.

The second half interval did not break Russia's rhythm but Spain almost took the lead in the 51st minute but Raul headed wide.

Coach Inaki Saez reacted by introducing Valeron on the hour mark and it proved an inspired move with him staking a claim for a starting berth with a clinical finish after Puyol pulled the ball back.

Russia, who had Sharonov sent off late on for tripping Fernando Torres, can at least take heart from their spirited display before their match with hosts Portugal on June 16.