European Cup .. The Russian bear beats the Finn
Russia compensated for its opening failure against Belgium and halted the start of the newcomer Finland, by defeating them 1-0, today, Wednesday, in St. Petersburg, in the second round of the group stage of the European Cup in football.
Atalanta midfielder Alexei Miranchuk scored the winning goal before the end of the first half whistle (45+2), as Russia won its first European Cup in seven matches.
After losing to Belgium 3-0, Russia raised its score to 3 points in the standings of the second group, equally with Finland, which achieved a surprising victory over Denmark 1-0.
Belgium plays the third World Cup 2018, Thursday, with Denmark, looking for its second victory and ensuring qualification for the round of 16.
Since the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Russia has won five times in a row against Finland, scoring 16 goals, against one goal in the net in 1995 when the current coach of Russia Stanislav Cherchesov was a goalkeeper.
Russia won the inaugural European Cup title in the name of the Soviet Union in 1960, and competed for the title in the following three editions, but with the exception of 2008 when it reached the semi-finals, it was content with honorary participations in the third millennium.
Russian coach Cherchesov excluded goalkeeper Anton Sosnin, who conceded three times in the Belgium match, and Matvey Safonov, 22, played in his place, to make the Krasnodar goalkeeper play his first international match as a key player.
Similar to the first match against Denmark, which saw the heart of the last playmaker Christian Eriksen stopped, Finland played with a compact and defensive formation, but the Russian goal thwarted the plans of the nicknamed "Hohkayat" (Eurasian owl or horns) to achieve its second victory.
Captain Tim Sparff, who had a problem with his knee, sat on the bench and was replaced by Rasmus Schuller.
"We are disappointed, we wanted to get at least a point, but I'm proud of my team," said Finland captain Paulus Arayori. "Everyone gave 100%, I think the match was close and we had chances to score goals. But we weren't today."
Finland scored early in the net with a header by Yoel Bohianpalo, the goal scorer against Denmark, nicknamed "The Danger", but his celebration lasted for a short time, after the intervention of the video assistant referee and his goal was canceled for offside (3).
Russia missed an opportunity almost, when midfielder Muhammed Ozdziev hit the ball from inside the area over the crossbar (10).
For the second match in a row, Russia forced an early substitution, after Mario Fernandes was injured in the middle of the first half.
"Zburnnaya" dominated the first half (65%) against Finnish rebounds, but was unable to shake the net of goalkeeper Lukasz Hradetsky, the star of the confrontation against Denmark, until the second minute of the time instead of lost when Alexei Miranchuk fired a beautiful left spiral that embraced the right scissors of the Finnish goal. After exchanging balls with striker Artem Dzyuba (45 + 2).
Russia continued its pressure after the break, and Alexei Golovin threatened the visitors' goal from outside the area (52).
Timo Pukki, Norwich City's top scorer, and his companions left their area trying to re-tie, allowing the Russians to get closer to their area through Golovin, substitute Vyacheslav Karavaev and Ozdoev.
Pukki's counter is still devoid of goals, as the striker, who suffered an injury before the finals, stands two goals away to equal the record of the historical star in the country, Jari Litmannen (32 goals).
Russia almost consolidated the result, but Dalar Kozaev's shot was brilliantly pushed out by the goalkeeper to a corner (72), to end the confrontation with a deserved Russian victory.
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