Slovakia upset Poland 2-1 in Euro 2020

BERLIN -- Slovakia started their first major tournament with a victory after shocking Poland 2-1 through Milan Skriniar's second half winner in their Group E curtain raiser in Saint Petersburg on Monday.

Slovakia looked comfortable in the first half and opened the scoring against uninspired Poland after Robert Mak's solo run and effort dropped off Wojciech Szczesny's near post before bouncing off the goalkeeper's right shoulder into the goal in the 18th minute.

Poland needed some time to recover but restored parity 27 seconds after the restart as Karol Linetty finished off Maciej Rybus' build-up work.

The Polish increased the pressure but suffered a setback at the hour mark when Grzegorz Krychowiak saw his second yellow card to receive his marching orders.

Slovakia showed no mercy and utilized their numerical advantage moments later as Poland failed to clear a corner allowing Skriniar to drill the decider from 14 meters into the top left corner to stun Poland.

Poland pressed frenetically for the leveller, but Slovakia's defense stood firm and to secure the top spot in Group E for the moment.