A brace from Alan Dzagoev was the highlight of an impressive attacking display by Russia in Group A.
Dzagoev and Roman Shirokov netted before half time to put the Eastern Europeans in a commanding position, although they could have led by more if not for wasteful finishing.
Vaclav Pilar then gave the Czechs a shout of getting something from the game with his strike, but Russia saved the best for last as Dzagoev and Roman Pavlyuchenko both scored in the last 15 minutes to seal an emphatic opening victory.
Russia were content to sit back at the beginning, but they had demonstrated their ability in front of goal with last week s destruction of Italy.
Apparently the Czech defence had not learnt the lesson; a fluid counterattack spearheaded by Alan Dzagoev …