Russia claimed an important 1-0 victory over Finland on Wednesday afternoon and kept their hopes of advancing to the Euro 2020 knockout rounds alive in St. Petersburg.
Finland thought they had taken the lead within five minutes, but Joel Pohjanpalo’s fine header was ruled out offside by VAR, and the teams remained even. It was Russia who broke the deadlock at half-time and in a fantastic way as well.
Aleksei Miranchuk played a nice one-two in the edge of the box, buttoned his left foot and curled a fantastic strike in the upper corner and sent the home crowd wild.
Both sides had chances in the second half, with Teemu Pukki testing Matvey Safonov, and Russia’s replacement Rifat Zhemaletdinov dragging a strenuous wide from long range. Finland pressed to find an equalizer, but eventually they came short, so that Russia could take a first step towards the round of 16.
Let’s check out the players’ ratings.
General / KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV / Getty Images
Lukas Hradecky (GK) – 7/10 – Looked a bit shaky with the ball at his feet and handed over possession on more than one occasion. No chance to stop Miranchuk’s beauty. Incredible save to keep Finland in the game late.
Joona Tolivio (CB) – 6/10 – Really fought against Artem Dzyuba’s height and brutal strength and had to settle for fighting with the giant’s waist while waiting for the ball to fall on his head.
Paulus Arajuuri (CB) – 7/10 – Enjoy the physical battles, loaded in tackles and jump to win the odd flying duel. A solid, commanding presence in the heart of the defense. Daniel O’Shaughnessy (CB) – 6/10 – Confused with a defender and almost allowed Dzyuba to knock home, but forward was too slow. Otherwise decent.
On the fee / Anatoly Maltsev – Pool / Getty Images
Jukka Raitala (RWB) – 6/10 – Went well against Russia’s main threat against Golovin during the first half, and only let the odd cross flow in from his flank. Fought in the second half as his opponent grew in stature.
Rasmus Schuller (CM) – 6/10 – At the back when Russia controlled the midfield battle, but did not give up the ghost. Played higher up the field during the second half and tried to add an extra body in the attacks.
Robin Lod (CM) – 6/10 – Lots of energy and driving in midfield, although his touch let him down on a couple of occasions. Had a great chance in the second half with plenty of space, but saw his shot blocked.
Glen Kamara (CM) – 7/10 – Took a nasty blow to the ankle in the first half, but continued to study away. Gave one back and picked up a yellow card. The choice of the midfield trio.
Jere Uronen (LWB) – 8/10 – Come fly back to get a boot out and hit the ball out for a corner, when it could have been easily turned home. Goal saving.
Short-lived / Anton Vaganov – Pool / Getty Images
Teemu Pukki (ST) – 7/10 – Did more of the dirty work of linking up the midfield and attacking. Tested the goalkeeper from inside the box but could not find the corner online. The biggest threat in the end, until strangely subbed.
Joel Pohjanpalo (ST) – 6/10 – Thought he had given his nation the lead, just to ban the target. A threat that runs behind and twice catches Russia’s defense sleeping during the first half.
Joni Kauko (CM) – 5/10
Pyry Soiri (CM) – 6/10
Lassi Lappalainen (ST) – 6/10
Frederik Jensen (RW) – 6/10
A goal-saving tackle / Lars Baron / Getty Images
Matvey Safonov (GK) – 7/10 – Reactive and alert to fly out of his goal and point the ball away from Pukki when he is clean through. Handled everything that Finland threw at him with relative comfort.
Mario Fernandes (RB) – 6/10 – Flew down the wing and threw himself into the box to get to the end of the cross. Flew too high, landed with a terrible thump and had to be replaced. Looked nasty, let’s hope it’s not too serious.
Igor Diveev (CB) – 8/10 – Incredible recovery to deny Pohjanpalo when he is clean through the goal. As important as a goal. Produced a second equally important intervention during the second half.
Georgiy Dzhikiya (CB) – 7/10 – Headed everything out of the box that came his way during the first half. Led with a good example on the back and fought on through injury.
Daler Kuzyaev (LB) – 7/10 – Seemed to make an impact in the final third and saw his chance at glory blocked by Dzyuba’s unnecessary intervention. Thought he had scored, but his curler was somehow tipped around the post.
Eyes on the ball / Kirill Kudryavtsev – Pool / Getty Images
Roman Zobnin (CM) – 8/10 – Nicely in possession and the smart passer in midfield, always looking to get on the ball and bring others into play. A talented player.
Dmitri Barinov (CM) – 7/10 – Dropped in defensively to help and took a yellow for a cynical foul on Kamara. A warrior in the middle who allows a little past him.
Magomed Ozdoev (CM) – 6/10 – Blazed a brilliant opportunity over the crossbar from just six yards out. Must hit the target there. Booked for a late challenge at Kamara.
A Moment of Genius / Kirill Kudryavtsev – Pool / Getty Images
Aleksei Miranchuk (RW) – 8/10 – Broke the deadlock at half-time and worked with the smallest spaces to curl the ball in the far corner. A brilliant goal from a magician in the last third.
Artem Dzyuba (ST) – 7/10 – Such a scary presence. Reacted slowly when a loose ball flashed over him. Just throw it home, man! Impossible to win a head against him ever.
Aleksandr Golovin (LW) – 8/10 – Created a couple of nice early chances and helped his team break up the field in pace. Fizzed a shot on goal in the second half, which whistled past the post. Showed its quality.
Vyacheslav Karavayev (RB) – 7/10
Rifat Zhemaletdinov (RW) – 7/10
Aleksandr Sobolev (ST) – 6/10
Maksim Mukhin (CM) – 6/10
