Glushenkov's goal in the first minute and Safonov's "cracker": how the Russian youth team beat Bulgaria in the selection for the European Championship-2021

For the Russian youth national football team, the selection for the European Championship in 2021 has entered a decisive stage.

In September, Mikhail Galaktionov's charges were scheduled to play against direct competitors for tickets to the final tournament - Bulgaria and Poland.

In the first round, a draw was recorded with both rivals, and this served as a reminder to the players that they still needed to fight for leadership in the group.

The head coach of the Russians must have had a hard time choosing the squad for the first home game with Bulgaria.

In each line, Galaktionov had several players with stable practice in the RPL, so even Fyodor Chalov's injury was not a tragedy for the team.

Instead of the CSKA forward, the coach could calmly release Ivan Ignatiev and Maxim Glushenkov in the attack, and send Ivan Oblyakov, Konstantin Kuchaev and Daniil Lesovoy to help them.

Place at the gate was taken by Matvey Safonov, covered by Nikolai Rasskazov, Igor Diveev, Roman Evgeniev and Danil Krugov.

Perhaps, only in the center of the field Galaktionov did not have any special options - the presence of Nail Umyarov suggested itself.

However, many of these players have already met with Bulgaria a year ago, when they had to be content with a draw and rejoice that Alexander Maksimenko played reliably as a goalkeeper.

Alexander Dimitrov's wards became the only team that the Russians did not score in the first round.

But this misunderstanding was quickly corrected at the Arena Khimki.

As soon as the referee Arda Kerdeshler gave the signal for the start of the match, the Russians surrounded the gates of the Bulgarians.

Kuchaev gave a pass to the center of the penalty area, from where Glushenkov shot from under Angel Lyaskov and hit the goal.

Already in the first minute, the home team opened an account.

Having scored a quick goal, the Russians did not deviate from the original plan for the match and continued to play the first number, leaving only rare chances for counter-attacks to the guests.

True, Galaktionov's wards could not build on the success due to suffering implementation.

By the 19th minute Glushenkov could have already scored a double, but after going one-on-one with Daniel Naumov he hit the goalkeeper straight.

Oblyakov also did not bring his attacks to the end, Kuchaev's new programs went nowhere.

Finally, the referee also said his word, who did not award a penalty for Evgeniev's fall.

However, Kerdeshler's condescension in this match was rather into the hands of the Russians.

In the 33rd minute, Ignatiev calmly knocked down an opponent after losing the ball and could get a yellow card for this, and if the collision was a little harder, he would have to leave the field again, as in the first match with Bulgaria.

But the Turkish judge forgave the Rubin striker, and then did not punish Kuchaev for pushing Petko Hristov in the back.

In the first half, in addition to implementation and discipline, Lesovoy's condition caused concern.

Even in the middle of the playing segment, he received a strong blow to the chest, after which the midfielder needed the help of doctors.

During the break, he was replaced by Alexander Lomovitsky.

In the second half, the game pattern has not changed.

The Russians also controlled the ball and spent almost all the time in the wrong half of the field, but the Bulgarian defenders - some had already played for the senior national team - did not allow them to double the advantage.

Within 15 minutes, Kuchaev twice brought Ignatiev to shock positions, but both times the striker passed to his rivals.

In the end, Galaktionov replaced Ignatiev with Magomed-Shapi Suleimanov, and with his very first action he earned a free kick, which finally led to the second goal.

Only defense players have already become its authors.

Umyarov decided to shoot straight on goal, and Naumov with difficulty reflected the ball towards Evgeniev.

The defender showed incredible tenacity, trying to continue the rally, and in the end gave the pass to a powerful blow from Igor Diveev in the center.

The footballer scored the third goal and became the best Russian scorer in the qualifying tournament, beating Chalov and Suleimanov.

After Daniil Utkin's inaccurate blow, which could finally defeat the guests, the Bulgarians stepped up for a while and went on the attack, but dangerous moments at Safonov's goal did not arise.

The Russians won with a score of 2: 0 and remained in first place in the group.

Already on September 8, Galaktionov's wards will meet on the road with the Polish team, which scored six unanswered goals in a parallel game to Estonia.

A victory over the Poles does not formally guarantee an exit to the final stage of the European Championship, but in fact the Russians will finally be able to get to the tournament for the first time in eight years.