Aleksey Miranchuk curler wins it for Russia

Russia 1-0 Finland: Aleksey Miranchuk curler wins it for hosts (Match Highlights)

Russia earned their first win of Euro 2020 after a tough victory over Finland in St Petersburg.

Aleksey Miranchuk put the hosts ahead in first-half injury time with a superb, curling finish despite being crowded by Finland defenders.

Finland would have advanced to the last 16 if they won, and they thought they had taken the lead when Joel Pohjanpalo's header was ruled out for offside.

Both teams are now on three points heading into their final Group B game on Monday.

Finland defeated Denmark 1-0 on Saturday in their first major final, which was marred by Danish midfielder Christian Eriksen collapsing on the pitch.

All of the Finns wore 'Get well Christian' T-shirts before the game on Wednesday.

Finland's players with a message for Christian Eriksen 💙 pic.twitter.com/UqHrlsP83y

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) June 16, 2021

Christian Eriksen is currently recovering in the hospital after a cardiac arrest.

Pohjanpalo scored Finland's lone goal in the tournament opener, and he thought he had his second goal of the tournament when he went between two Russian players to head home Jukka Raitala's wonderful cross inside three minutes.

Pohjanpalo, however, was deemed to be barely offside by the video assistant referee, and the goal was disallowed.

Russia had the better chances after that, but Magomed Ozdoev headed over and missed another chance, and only Jere Uronen's outstanding defending prevented substitute Viacheslav Karavaev.

Miranchuk, surrounded by four Finland players, managed to switch the ball onto his left foot and curl an effort past Lukas Hradecky, giving the hosts a deserved lead.

Teemu Pukki of Norwich City had a rare chance for Finland in the second half, but his shot was tamely saved by Russia goalkeeper Matvey Safonov.

The hosts continued to appear the more likely to score, but Aleksandr Golovin and Rifat Zhemaletdinov both narrowly missed the target, while Daler Kuzyayev's attempt was saved.

Russia 1-0 Finland: Watch the full match highlights