Errors in the supporting zone, hat-trick of the Azar brothers, goal of Jikia's prestige: Russia devastatingly lost to Belgium

Courage Cherchesova and Alexei Miranchuk instead of Golovin

The current qualifying stage has developed incredibly successfully for the Russian team. Wards Stanislav Cherchesov won seven victories in eight matches and back in October they got a ticket to the final stage of Euro 2020.

However, many fans explained this striking performance of the team by the weak level of rivals, and partly this assertion was justified, because Russia, Kazakhstan, San Marino, Cyprus and, as it turned out, far from the most formidable Scotland, became the rivals in the group.

In addition to the domestic team, the only truly top team in group I were the current bronze medalists of the World Cup Belgians.

Unfortunately, the first match between the teams in Brussels indicated a serious difference in class. “Red Devils” won a landslide victory - 3: 1. Now, in order to get ahead of them with the equality of points, the Russians needed to win with a difference of two goals.

On the other hand, Cherchesov’s wards could go out on the field relaxed, because the main task had already been completed, and the crowded stands of Gazprom Arena should have driven them forward.

The absence of the favorite fans of Denis Cheryshev and Alexander Golovin went to the minus of the national team. The first was injured in the Champions League match and did not come to the national team, and the second arrived at the location of the national team, but with little damage. Thus, Cherchesov had to look for replacements for his leaders.

The coach himself was able to seriously surprise Roberto Martinez's counterpart. Before the match, football fans wondered if the specialist would return to the scheme tested in Brussels with three central defenders, but Cherchesov did not do this, relying on the usual arrangement with George Dzhikia and Andrei Semenov.

But on the left flank of the defense Cherchesov unexpectedly identified who had only one match for the national team in the selection of Sergei Petrov, and sent Yuri Zhirkov above. Alexey Ionov left on the right.

Finally, in the center of the field there was a powerful three of Magomed Ozdoev, Roman Zobnin and Alexei Miranchuk, who replaced just Golovin in position, and Artyom Dziuba habitually stepped to the edge.

The starting lineup of @TeamRussia for the match @UEFAEURO vs @ BelRedDevils #RussiaBelgium #OurParni pic.twitter.com / FTnGukn3EV

Humiliating first half and defense failures

Unfortunately, the first half turned out for the Russian team akin to a cold soul. Fans that filled the Gazprom Arena to failure, expected the owners to force a fight on their opponents, but they were brutally disappointed.

Although the match began not bad for the wards of Cherchesov. The Belgians were not afraid to give the opponent a ball, and the Russians tried to control him near someone else's penalty area. In the seventh minute, the team even managed to create the first dangerous moment. Artyom Dziuba pushed through the defender after a filing on the left and shot near the bar. True, the judge considered that the forward in this situation violated the rules.

However, the advantage of the Russians, alas, turned out to be imaginary. Realizing that the owners allow themselves too much, the Belgians in the class quickly opened an account in the middle of the first half. Torgan Hazard in the left corner of the penalty area easily beat Mario Fernandez and struck heavily into the near corner. Marinato Guillerme failed to help out.

And in the 33rd minute the situation for Russia became completely hopeless. This time, Romel Lukaku was pushed by a defender near someone else's gate and discounted on Eden Azar, who was completely alone on the penalty line and shot down at an uncomfortable height for Guillerme.

At the end of the inning, the situation of the Russians deteriorated even more. The defense of the hosts failed again, and the guests organized a three-in-two attack. Kevin De Bruyne did not become greedy and, drawing closer to Gilereme, rolled the ball to the left to Eden Azar. So the tenth number of the national team of Belgium gladly designed a double.

Bakaev's successful exit and goal exchange

The second half began for the Russian team with another dangerous moment at the gates of Guillerme. The unstoppable Eden Hazard once again passed Mario Fernandez and from the front performed lumbago on Dries Mertens. The Belgian hit the goalkeeper parried point blank. Moreover, the football player himself in this episode received muscle damage and was forced to ask for a replacement.

Immediately castling performed Cherchesov. Instead of a tired and, it seems, also feeling Zhirkov’s pain, Zelimkhan Bakaev came to the left flank of the attack. It is worth recognizing that Spartak managed to strengthen the game. He boldly controlled the ball and sought to aggravate the situation.

In general, in the second half, the Russians acted much more actively than the opponent, but this can also be explained by the passivity of the Belgians, who had no need to give all the best to 100%. They defended fairly calmly, and Roberto Martinez even replaced the central defender and threw reservist Jason Denyer into battle to provide him with playing practice.

It is even more offensive that the pressure of the Russian national team did not end with anything, but Belgium realized almost its only moment in the second half. Lukaku, who was already ready to be replaced by Misha Batshuayi, calmly dragged the ball to someone else's penalty area and shot down into the near corner. Unfortunately, Guilherme again failed to save the team. Marinato held an extremely unsuccessful match, although of course it is impossible to blame him for all troubles.

But the hosts did not leave the field without a goal. Ten minutes before the final whistle, Cherchesov's wards successfully played a corner. Substitute Daler Kuzyaev hit with his head from a few meters, and Thibaut Courtois hit the ball directly to Dzhikiya, who did not miss his chance.

In the end, Russia could even get away from a devastating defeat, but Bakaev and partners lacked accuracy. In particular, Nikolai Komlichenko, who entered the game instead of Dziuba, did not realize a very good moment.

Unfortunately, the match with Belgium showed that it is too early for the national team to fight with European top teams on equal terms. “Red Devils” did not leave the Russians a single chance and took away three points from St. Petersburg, it seems, not even giving it all a hundred percent.

On the other hand, one cannot fail to note the courage of the coaching staff, who was not afraid to take a chance and play the attack, and at times the team showed a pretty nice game.