Played
October 12, 2012 11:00 AM EDT
Olimpiyskiy stadion Luzhniki — Moskva
Referee: V. Kassai
Attendance: 75000
October 12, 2012 11:00 AM EDT
Olimpiyskiy stadion Luzhniki — Moskva
Referee: V. Kassai
Attendance: 75000
Top of the Match
Sergey Ignashevich
Russia
Russia
Aleksandr Kerzhakov
Russia
Russia
Flop of the Match
Hélder Postiga
Portugal
Portugal
Cristiano Ronaldo
Portugal
Portugal
Goal.com Rating 
Fans' Rating Russia 1-0 Portugal: Kerzhakov leaves Ronaldo and Co. reeling
Aleksandr Kerzhakov hit the only goal of the game after six minutes as the hosts held out against relentless pressure from Paulo Bento's side with some stoic defensive work.
By Joe Wright
Getty
An early goal from Aleksandr Kerzhakov was enough to hand Russia all three points against Portugal in Friday's World Cup qualifier in Moscow.
The Zenit St Petersburg man fired past Rui Patricio with just six minutes on the clock, and despite the visitors enjoying 70 percent of possession, Fabio Capello's men were able to hold on for a crucial victory as Sergey Ignashevich put in an indomitable display at the heart of the defense.
The visitors were buoyed by the inclusion of Cristiano Ronaldo in the starting lineup, with the Real Madrid superstar having recovered from a shoulder injury sustained in last weekend’s Clasico in time to feature on Friday.
Capello was without Premier League duo Andrey Arshavin and Pavel Pogrebnyak, so the burden of orchestrating the hosts’ attacks was once again placed on the young shoulders of Alan Dzagoev, who lit up the early rounds of Euro 2012 with his displays.
Russia got off to the best possible start after just six minutes, when Roman Shirokov found Kerzhakov with an incisive first-time through ball, allowing him to finish cooly past Patricio. Moments later, Portugal’s dismal opening spell was compounded when Fabio Coentrao had to be replaced by Miguel Lopes after failing to shake off an injury.
The visitors rallied quickly and were almost level just three minutes later when Ignashavich sliced a clearance that almost went into his own net before Igor Akinfeev denied both Ronaldo and Bruno Alves in quick succession.
Nani, who has frustrated Manchester United fans with his recent performances, was a constant menace down the right-hand side as Kombarov failed to get close to him, and only some excellent last-ditch defending stopped his wicked cross from reaching the head of Helder Postiga.
Russia came close with another Kerzhakov effort from close-range before a frustrated Ronaldo fired a free kick straight at Akinfeev before halftime.
The visitors’ dominance continued after the break and only a brilliant tackle from Alexander Anyukov denied Ronaldo from finding the net at the near post after some terrific interplay between Nani and Joao Pereira. However, Akinfeev remained largely untroubled for the opening 20 minutes of the half as the Russian rearguard, marshalled by the towering Sergey Ignashevich, stopped practically everything Paulo Bento’s side could muster.
Ronaldo saw another effort fly over the crossbar as the Portuguese became increasingly frustrated in their bid to find an equalizer, and Russia began to look the more likely on the counterattack, with Aleksandr Kokorin drawing a stinging save from Patricio after a strong run and shot.
Portugal threw on in-form Braga striker Eder as they continued their desperate attemtps to unlock the hosts' defence, but Ignashevich and Co. were not to be undone, and Russia held on for a crucial victory as they look to reach their first World Cup finals since 2002.
The Zenit St Petersburg man fired past Rui Patricio with just six minutes on the clock, and despite the visitors enjoying 70 percent of possession, Fabio Capello's men were able to hold on for a crucial victory as Sergey Ignashevich put in an indomitable display at the heart of the defense.
The visitors were buoyed by the inclusion of Cristiano Ronaldo in the starting lineup, with the Real Madrid superstar having recovered from a shoulder injury sustained in last weekend’s Clasico in time to feature on Friday.
Capello was without Premier League duo Andrey Arshavin and Pavel Pogrebnyak, so the burden of orchestrating the hosts’ attacks was once again placed on the young shoulders of Alan Dzagoev, who lit up the early rounds of Euro 2012 with his displays.
Russia got off to the best possible start after just six minutes, when Roman Shirokov found Kerzhakov with an incisive first-time through ball, allowing him to finish cooly past Patricio. Moments later, Portugal’s dismal opening spell was compounded when Fabio Coentrao had to be replaced by Miguel Lopes after failing to shake off an injury.
The visitors rallied quickly and were almost level just three minutes later when Ignashavich sliced a clearance that almost went into his own net before Igor Akinfeev denied both Ronaldo and Bruno Alves in quick succession.
Nani, who has frustrated Manchester United fans with his recent performances, was a constant menace down the right-hand side as Kombarov failed to get close to him, and only some excellent last-ditch defending stopped his wicked cross from reaching the head of Helder Postiga.
Russia came close with another Kerzhakov effort from close-range before a frustrated Ronaldo fired a free kick straight at Akinfeev before halftime.
The visitors’ dominance continued after the break and only a brilliant tackle from Alexander Anyukov denied Ronaldo from finding the net at the near post after some terrific interplay between Nani and Joao Pereira. However, Akinfeev remained largely untroubled for the opening 20 minutes of the half as the Russian rearguard, marshalled by the towering Sergey Ignashevich, stopped practically everything Paulo Bento’s side could muster.
Ronaldo saw another effort fly over the crossbar as the Portuguese became increasingly frustrated in their bid to find an equalizer, and Russia began to look the more likely on the counterattack, with Aleksandr Kokorin drawing a stinging save from Patricio after a strong run and shot.
Portugal threw on in-form Braga striker Eder as they continued their desperate attemtps to unlock the hosts' defence, but Ignashevich and Co. were not to be undone, and Russia held on for a crucial victory as they look to reach their first World Cup finals since 2002.
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Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
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Edin Dzeko Striker Man City |
7 | 0 |
|
Tomer Hemed Striker Mallorca |
6 | 0 |
|
Mesut Özil Midfielder Real Madrid |
5 | 2 |
|
Wayne Rooney Striker Man United |
5 | 1 |
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Robin van Persie Striker Man United |
5 | 1 |
