Russia squeeze past Finland thanks to Aleksey Miranchuk's moment of magic
Finland had early goal chalked off for offside after Var review
Miranchuk with delightful finish just before half time
Both teams now on three points with one group match remaining
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A goal in first-half stoppage time by Aleksei Miranchuk got Russia's Euro 2020 campaign back on track as they beat Finland 1-0 in Group B on Wednesday.
The Russians, who remain unbeaten against the Finns since their first meeting in 1912, made amends for their opening loss to Belgium as the group remains wide open.
The Finns, winners 1-0 over Denmark in their first game that was marked by Christian Eriksen's heart attack on the pitch, almost made the perfect start when Joel Pohjanpalo's third minute header beat the Russian keeper but was ruled offside after a VAR review.
It was the hosts, fired up by the home crowd, who took control in the first half, with the Finns sitting back and soaking up the pressure.
The visitors waited for the occasional break and both Pohjanpalo and Teemu Pukki tested goalkeeper Matvei Safonov.
An injury to Mario Fernandes after a rough fall in the 26th minute did not shift Russia's focus and his replacement Vyacheslav Karavaev almost tapped in a cutback at the far post minutes after coming on.
Their dominance finally paid off in stoppage time thanks to a piece of magic from Miranchuk, who took on two defenders on the right, changed direction and scooped the ball into the far corner with a superb left-footed effort with Russia's first shot on target.
The Finns shot out of the blocks after the break with Pukki carving out two chances early on.
That, however, came with a risk as it opened up spaces for Russia, who were a threat on the break with Rifat Zhemaletdinov's low shot veering just wide in the 67th and Daler Kuzyaev's curled effort forcing a superb save from keeper Lukas Hradecky as Finland's energy gradually faded.
Russia held on to earn three points, with Stanislav Cherchesov's side up to second in the standings on three, ahead of Finland thanks to the head-to-head result. Belgium, who beat Russia 3-0 in their opener, top the group ahead of their game against Denmark on Thursday.
Reuters
02:57 PMFT: Finland 0 Russia 1
FT: Finland 0 Russia 1
Finland completely ran out of ideas in the closing stages of that game. Russia were not very impressive, if they manage to sneak into the knockouts they are going out to the first decent side they play, but at least it puts them on the board with three points. If Belgium beat Denmark and Finland and Denmark beat Russia in the last game, there could be all sorts of permutations in this group. Possibility of three teams finishing on three points.
02:54 PM92 minutes
92 minutes
Finland pump a long ball forward, but that is food and drink for the Russia defenders. They deal with it easily and go on the attack again with Kuzaev. Russia have a throw deep in the Finland half.
02:53 PM90 minutes
90 minutes
FIVE minutes of added time.
02:50 PM88 minutes
88 minutes
Finland do have a free kick down the right and send it into the mixer. The first header loops up on the six-yard line and Arajuuri heads over. That might be the last half chance.
02:48 PM86 minutes
86 minutes
Russia keeping the ball across their defence but the burst into action through Golovin and Kuzaev down the left. Then Zobin skews over with a shot from a tight angle.
02:46 PM83 minutes
83 minutes
Finalnd's movement in the last third was good in the first half but they look a bit toothless now. Hard to see where a goal will come from unless it is self inflicted by Russia. Sobolev and and Mukhin, just 19, coming on for Russia.
02:41 PM80 minutes
80 minutes
Finland did well to work the ball out the right but Kalko's cross was blocked by Dzhikiya who has had a really solid game for Russia at the back. They retain possession and keep the pressure on though.
02:39 PM77 minutes
77 minutes
Finland look like they are running out of stream, Russia keeping the ball fairly comfortably and running the clock down. They have not really shown enough intent to kill the game off with a second.
02:36 PM74 minutes
74 minutes
Temmu Pukki's race is run. He is replaced by Lappalainen who plies his trade in the Canadian league. Time running out for Finland to find an equaliser.
02:32 PM71 minutes
71 minutes
Kamara tries to dribble into the Russia penalty area but loses possession. Dzyuba tries to run after a ball into the channel which was quite the sight, like pushing a wardrobe up a flight of stairs.
The Russia punish a loose pass in midfield and counter, and the ball is squared for Kuzyaev who picked his spot in the corner but Hradecky tipped it round the post.
02:30 PM68 minutes
68 minutes
Dzhikiya is down with a slight problem, which is a worry for Russia. Finland substitute Kauko blazed over the bar from distance.
02:27 PM66 minutes
66 minutes
Another chance goes for the second, and it was the sub Zhemaletdinov. Showed a good turn of foot but dragged his left foot shot wide of their far post.
02:26 PM64 minutes
64 minutes
Raitaler gives the ball away for Finland in his own half and Russia almost try to walk in a second but Miranchuk turned down the chance to shoot. Surprising given his finish for the first goal.
02:23 PM61 minutes
61 minutes
Golovin goes for a curler from the top of the penalty area but his effort is high, wide and handsome. That was after Dzhikiya produced a vital block at the other end after another good Finland move.
02:20 PM58 minutes
58 minutes
A really good spell of pressure from Finland, and Russia are struggling to retain the ball when they win it back. They try to work the ball to the left to Kamara but the pass was loose.
02:18 PM56 minutes
56 minutes
Lod with so much space to drive into with Russia's defence all over the place but his shot is blocked. Finland have carried a threat throughout this game.
02:15 PM54 minutes
54 minutes
Chances are coming at both ends now. Pukki cuts inside from the left into a promising position but he shoots straight at Safonov.
02:13 PM52 minutes
52 minutes
Cracking effort from distance by Golovin but his shot fizzes wide of the post. Such a talent but we are yet to see the best of him in this tournament,
02:11 PM49 minutes
49 minutes
So nearly the moment for Finland! Lod's through ball split the defence and found Pukki on the run but Diveyev produced a magnificent sliding challenge when he was about so shoot.
02:09 PM47 minutes
47 minutes
Kuzyayev bombs forward from left back but his cross is gathered by the goalkeeper. The Pukki concedes a foul and Russia keep Finland in their own half.
02:07 PMWe are back under way!
We are back under way!
Finland get us started as they chase an equaliser.
02:07 PMWhat a goal it was
What a strike from Aleksei Miranchuk!
Watch and listen on the BBChttps://t.co/aTAyFU3zJn #FINRUS #Euro2020 #bbceuro2020 pic.twitter.com/YDDB2Uu9w9
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) June 16, 2021
01:52 PMHT: Finland 0 Russia 1
What a goal it was
What a strike from Aleksei Miranchuk!
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) June 16, 2021
Watch and listen on the BBChttps://t.co/aTAyFU3zJn #FINRUS #Euro2020 #bbceuro2020 pic.twitter.com/YDDB2Uu9w9
01:52 PMHT: Finland 0 Russia 1
HT: Finland 0 Russia 1
Finland were doing well but that brilliant Miranchuk finish proved their undoing.
01:51 PM51 minutes
51 minutes
Pukki skips free of his markers down the left and Finland work the ball to the right but Barinov heads the cross away.
01:49 PM49 minutes
49 minutes
That was the moment of pure quality Russia needed. Now Finland have to come out and chase the game. Dzyuba wins another header in the box but his header is straight at Hradecky.
01:48 PMGOOOOOAAALL! Russia have the lead
GOOOOOAAALL! Russia have the lead
That is a sumptuous finish from Alexei Miranchuk, what composure. He played a one-two with Dzyuba at the edge of the box and then in a crowed penalty area, shifted the ball to his left foot and curled it in the top corner.
01:46 PM47 minutes
47 minutes
Russia had a really promising breakaway there but a terrible pass slowed it down. Golovin tries to whip a cross on to the head of Dzyuba but he cannot get clean contact on the header.
01:45 PMSix minutes of stoppage time to play
Six minutes of stoppage time to play
That's down to a couple of head injuries.
01:43 PM43 minutes
43 minutes
That was pretty football around the edge of the box from Russia but no player wanted to take the shot on. Golovin then took too long to get his shot off at the edge of the box.
01:42 PM41 minutes
41 minutes
Finland have probably been the more dangerous team going forward despite Pukki looking a little rusty. Golovin with a loose pass straight to the Finland centre-backs.
01:38 PM38 minutes
38 minutes
You will not see a better piece of defending all tournament than this Uronen clearance. Lovely play from Russia down the left involving Golovin, the ball was fed right across the six-yard box and Uronen slid in to hook the ball away when Karavaev looked destined to score at the back post. The defender got a boot in his face too. Heroic defending.
01:36 PMHe's been a little on the periphery of this game
🇫🇮 Teemu Pukki scored 10 of Finland's 16 goals in qualifying. Having also provided an assist, he was involved in 68.75% of their qualifying strikes... #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/vAlHo7f6cN
— UEFA EURO 2020 (@EURO2020) June 16, 2021
01:34 PM34 minutes
He's been a little on the periphery of this game
🇫🇮 Teemu Pukki scored 10 of Finland's 16 goals in qualifying. Having also provided an assist, he was involved in 68.75% of their qualifying strikes... #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/vAlHo7f6cN
— UEFA EURO 2020 (@EURO2020) June 16, 2021
01:34 PM34 minutes
34 minutes
The referee is throwing cards around today, but this one was well deserved. Kamara was bursting through midfield and Ozdoyev hacked him down. It gets Finland up the pitch, and they will be pleased by how this game is developing.
01:32 PM32 minutes
32 minutes
Nice one two between Lod and Pukki, but Lod then bundles over a Russia defender to concede a foul which brings the move to an end.
01:30 PM30 minutes
30 minutes
Dzyuba moves like he is towing a caravan behind him but is an aerial threat in the box. This time there is not enough power on his knockdown. Finland conceded a corner after Uronen heads behind acrobatically.
01:28 PM28 minutes
28 minutes
A slip in the Russia defence let, yes you guessed it, Pohjanpalo through with a chance to drive towards goal but the recovering defender did really well to get a tackle in before he could shoot.
01:27 PM25 minutes
25 minutes
Fernandes landed awkwardly after winning that header and looks to have hurt his back. He is coming off now. Will be replaced by Karavaev at right wing-back. Then Russia defender Barinov is booked for pulling back Kamara.
01:23 PM23 minutes
23 minutes
Glen Kamara show a yellow card. Lovely touch and cross from Golovin on the left and Fernandes gets up at the back post to win the first header but Dzyuba did not get on the end of it.
01:21 PM21 minutes
21 minutes
Another dangerous Finland move and it all comes from the movement of Pohjanpalo again. Good defending from Diveyev to get a last-ditch block in as he was about to pull the trigger. Pohjanpalo has been a livewire so far.
01:18 PM19 minutes
19 minutes
Lod tries to set Pukki away on the break but Russia crowd him out. Then Pohjanpalo looks to chip a ball over the top for Pukki's run but Safonov was off his line quickly to head away.
01:17 PM17 minutes
17 minutes
Pukki with a heavy touch and poor piece of hold up play, then he charges into a tackle and concedes a foul out of frustration. Decent enough start so far, both teams looking to play forward early.
01:15 PM14 minutes
14 minutes
Now Finland's turn to threaten! They play long towards Pukki but Pohjanpalo was there to pounce on the second ball and break into the penalty area, but he could not quite get his shot away when surrounded by red shirts.
01:14 PM12 minutes
12 minutes
Russia threatening once more, Dzyuba had time to pick his spot with shot and struck the foot of the post. The flag goes up for offside though and Finland can breathe easy.
01:11 PM10 minutes
10 minutes
What a miss for Russia and it was Ozdoyev who lost all composure. Far too easy for them to bring the ball down in the area and pick a pass, but Ozdoyev was completely free right of centre but he blasted over from only eight or nine yards out. Should have scored.
01:08 PM8 minutes
8 minutes
Russia are also playing a back three at the moment which is a change from the first game. Good defending from Raitala up against Kuzyayev on the left hand side.
01:07 PM6 minutes
6 minutes
This has been an entertaining start at both ends. The football is quite fast and direct. Barinov recovers to defend well against Kamara who was threatening to break.
01:06 PMVar check: NO GOAL
Var check: NO GOAL
Oh no, that is really harsh on Finland. Pohjanpalo had edged marginally offside when the cross came in.
01:04 PMGOOOAAALLL! Finland pick Russia's pocket
GOOOAAALLL! Finland pick Russia's pocket
Safonov played short from a goal kick and Finland forced a mistake high up the pitch. Raitala won the ball and whipped a cross straight into the penalty area and Saturday's match-winner Pohjanpalo was there to head home from six yards out.
01:02 PM2 minutes
2 minutes
Russia start on the front foot immediately, Finland's back five deep in their penalty area within the first minute. Russia have a corner on the right, but Finland head clear. Finland straight into their familiar 5-3-2 shape, looking to play largely on the counter.
01:00 PMKICK OFF!
KICK OFF!
Russia, playing in red, get us started.
12:55 PMThe players are out for the anthems
The players are out for the anthems
Another win for Finland will see them through to the last 16.
12:42 PMOnly change from Finland's first game
Only change from Finland's first game
Is their missing captain Tim Sparv who is absent due to a knee injury. Potentially a big miss for them.
12:34 PMFinland's players with 'Get well Christian' T-shirts
12:31 PMChange of goalkeeper from Russia this afternoon
Finland's players with 'Get well Christian' T-shirts
12:31 PMChange of goalkeeper from Russia this afternoon
Change of goalkeeper from Russia this afternoon
Safonov replaces Shunin. Never a great sign after one game of the tournament. I was not particularly impressed by Finland goalkeeper Hradecky against Denmark either so perhaps we might see some fun and games.
12:03 PMRussia's starting XI confirmed
Russia's starting XI confirmed
Matvei Safonov; Georgy Dzhikiya, Dmitry Barinov, Igor Diveyev, Mario Fernandes; Roman Zobnin, Magomed Ozdoyev, Daler Kuzyayev, Alexander Golovin; Alexei Miranchuk, Artyom Dzyuba (captain)
Much will depend on Golovin to bring some life to the attack.
12:02 PMFinland's starting XI confirmed
Finland's starting XI confirmed
Lukas Hradecky; Joona Toivio, Paulus Arajuuri (captain), Daniel O'Shaughnessy; Jukka Raitala , Robin Lod, Rasmus Schuller, Glen Kamara, Jere Uronen; Joel Pohjanpalo, Teemu Pukki
𝐀𝐯𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐤𝐨𝐤𝐨𝐨𝐧𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐨 | 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐗𝐈 | 🇫🇮🆚🇷🇺 | #EURO2020: Suomi–Venäjä | Seuraava etappi on edessä! – The next challenge is ahead! 🦉
Markku Kanerva on nimennyt avauskokoonpanon klo 16 alkavaan päivän otteluun.#Huuhkajat #FINRUS #MeOlemmeSuomi #WeAreFinland pic.twitter.com/sez2jrju4K— Huuhkajat (@Huuhkajat) June 16, 2021
11:38 AMToday's venue
🏟️ Saint Petersburg Stadium 😍
🇫🇮🆚🇷🇺🔜#EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/lHdesoNjfw
— UEFA EURO 2020 (@EURO2020) June 16, 2021
11:31 AMAlmost a local derby this afternoon
Today's venue
🏟️ Saint Petersburg Stadium 😍
— UEFA EURO 2020 (@EURO2020) June 16, 2021
🇫🇮🆚🇷🇺🔜#EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/lHdesoNjfw
11:31 AMAlmost a local derby this afternoon
Almost a local derby this afternoon
Russia have home advantage but the city of St Petersburg is only 250 miles or so from the Finnish border, with the city's main railway hub called the Finland Station which helped form the title of Edmund Wilson's famous book, was mentioned in Pet Shop Boys' hit West End Girls and was where Lenin returned from exile aboard a sealed train in 1917.
That aside, the Finnish should be in good spirits after a historic win over Denmark in their opening group game, even if the victory felt slightly hollow given the traumatic ordeal suffered by Christian Eriksen and his team-mates. The three points does give Finland a presentable chance to progress to the knockout rounds in their first major tournament.
"It was a day full of emotions," said Marko Karvinen, chairman of the Finland national team's fan club.
"We were in high spirits in the morning and I even shed a few tears of happiness as we marched to the stadium. But with the situation with Eriksen, those tears turned to ones of sadness."
Karvinen, who has attended some 50 away games since the 2009 European Under-21 Championships in Sweden, said it was an "unreal" situation that tempered some of the joy from the win.
"There is still a feeling of disbelief, but little by little you have to start looking ahead and think about tomorrow's match," he said.
Some 1,000 Finns are travelling to Russia for the group stage, with around 10 buses arranged by the fan club departing on Tuesday alone.
Russia were truly dreadful against Belgium, looking very old and cumbersome. They managed to surprise people in the home World Cup three summers ago, when they pushed Croatia all the way to penalties in the quarter-finals, but do not look likely to achieve something similar in this tournament.
Full team news on the way shortly.