Russia will feel really frustrated at how today panned out. They gave themselves a great chance of booking their place in the semi-finals with a strong performance in the first half, but they couldn't do enough to score a second goal. A moment of madness from Akinfeev gifted Mexico with a way in front, and they didn't look back once Zhirkov had been shown a second yellow for his own piece of poor decisin-making.
A second group stage win means it's Mexico who will be joining Portugal in the last four of the competition. They struggled during a first half in which Russia were arguably the better of the two teams, but they impressed after the break and, from then onwards, ran the show with few problems.
FULL-TIME: MEXICO 2-1 RUSSIA
Late chance for Reyes! Mexico break forward with three players taking on just two Russia defenders. Reyes is able to unleash a thumping strike from the edge of the penalty area with one of the final kicks of the game, but his low drive is well saved by the legs of Akinfeev.
Mexico are patiently knocking the ball around inside the Russia half of the pitch as the run down the clock. The host nation look absolutely shattered, and they're struggling to put their opponents under much pressure.
O. Alanís
Yellow Card
The referee's yellow card is out once again, and this time it's Alanis who has received a booking after tangling with Kanunnikov in the middle of the pitch. With under a minute left to play, Mexico are as good as through to the semi-finals.
The fourth official has indicated that there will be three minutes of added time.
A. Golovin
Yellow Card
Another attempted Russia attack fails to come to anything and allows Mexico to quickly break away on a counter-attack, but Aquino is cynically tripped over by Golovin and is shown a late yellow card.
Mexico enjoy a decent spell of possession inside the Russia half of the pitch before Dos Santos gets a shot away from 25 yards out. There's slightly too much power behind the effort, however, and it sails high over the top of the crossbar.
It just isn't working for Russia at the moment. They're seeing plenty of the ball as Mexico drop progressively deeper inside their own half of the pitch, but they're struggling to do much with it, with many of their passes rolling harmlessly out of play.
Smolnikov powers towards the Mexico box on a marauding run. He does well to penetrate the penalty area before just about managing to poke a pass into the path of Glushakov under pressure, but Ochoa reads the danger well and is there to collect the ball.
Golovin breaks towards the Mexico penalty area before trying to poke a deft through-ball into the path of Poloz, but the latter halts his run at the final moment and the ball ends up rolling out of play for a goal-kick.
M. Kanunnikov
F. Smolov
Russia have made one last throw of the dice, with Maksim Kanunnikov coming on to take the place of Smolov.
A bit of space opens up for Reyes in the middle of the pitch and allows him to get a shot away, but it's poorly hit and flies comfortably wide of the goal without troubling Akinfeev.
Smolov, who has had a relatively quiet second half, breaks through the Mexico back line as he tries to latch on to a lofted pass forward. He's able to do so but his run is slightly mistimed, resulting in the linesman's flag being raised.
What a chance for Smolnikov! The defender is immediately involved in the thick of the action as he charges into the box and latches on to a lovely curling cross, but he can't hit the target with his close-range volley and sends it sailing over the top of the crossbar.
V. Vasin
Yellow Card
Viktor Vasin commits a clumsy and mistimed challenge midway inside the Russia half of the pitch, and he becomes the latest player to receive a booking.
O. Alanís
A. Guardado
Meanwhile, Guardado has made way for Oswaldo Alanis for Mexico.
I. Smolnikov
A. Erokhin
Russia have made another alteration, with Igor Smolnikov coming on to replace Erokhin.
Reyes almost makes it 3-1 to Mexico! Hernandez sprints into the left-hand side of the Russia penalty area before fizzing a pass across the face of goal. Reyes sticks out a foot as he desperately tries to reach the ball, but he's unable to and it trickles agonisingly past.
RED CARD! Things have gone from bad to worse for Zhirkov! The veteran wing-back battles with Layun and ends up catching him in the side of the face with a needless elbow, leaving the referee with no choice but to give him his marching orders.
More good play by Mexico sets up Hernandez with another chance to test Akinfeev, but this time his headed effort from 10 yards out sails straight into the hands of the goalkeeper in the middle of the goal.
Hernandez breaks into the Russia penalty area and showcases great skills as he tries to get a shot away, but he's eventually closed down by red shirts before he can do so and is dispossessed at the last possible moment.
D. Poloz
A. Bukharov
Russia have made a change as they try to get back into the game, with Dmitri Poloz coming on to replace Bukharov.
F. Kudryashov
Yellow Card
Kudryashov clatters into Hernandez during the build-up of a Mexico attack and receives a yellow card as soon as the move fails to result in a chance on goal.
Mexico continue breaking forward as they try to find a way to increase their lead, but Russia have plenty of men behind the ball trying to deal with the danger. Mexico are certainly on the front foot at the moment, which is frustrating the host nation's fans.
Moreno looks to have increased Mexico's lead, but it's ruled out via the VAR! A lovely cross flies into the Russia box and finds Moreno, who then beats Akinfeev with a side-footed shot. He runs away to celebrate but quickly has to stop after the referee receives word that the defender was in an offside position.
Erokhin goes close! The midfielder is left in a pocket of space 25 yards away from goal and quickly shoots, but his curling effort bounces just a yard or so past the far post.
Not for the first time, Zhirkov goes down inside the Mexico penalty area after trying to latch on to a chipped cross into the penalty area, but the referee still isn't interested and tells him to get back to his feet.
Russia quickly break forward on a determined attacking move as they desperately try to equalise, but the attack fails to come to anything after Erokhin is barfed off the ball by Guardado.
H. Herrera
Assist
Herrera wouldn't have been expecting to pick up an assist when he thumped the ball up the pitch, but, somehow, he has managed to do so after a piece of horrible goalkeeping by Akinfeev!
H. Lozano
Goal
GOAL! What a mistake by Akinfeev! A hopeful pass is thumped up the pitch and towards the Russia penalty area, where Akinfeev rushes out to meet it. He completely mistimes his run though, allowing Lozano to stick out his neck and head the ball into the back of the net from the edge of the box. Stanislav Cherchesov looks absolutely livid!
Ouch! Georgiy Dzhikiya looks to be in quite a bit of discomfort after being clattered into by Hernandez inside the box. The striker is claiming it was an accidental coming together, but the Russia players don't seem convinced.
Samedov scores, but it's quickly ruled out! Russia knock the ball around wonderfully as they carve out another chance on goal. This time it's Smolov who pokes a pass into the box and into the feet of Samedov, who then chips a shot over Ochoa and into the back of the net. The linesman's flag is immediately raised, however, and it was the correct decision.
Early chance for Smolov! Golovin is left in a pocket of space as he darts down the left wing. He then chips a deft cross into the penalty area and towards Smolov, who stretches and unleashes a volleyed shot that flies comfortably wide of the goal.
J. Aquino
C. Vela
Mexico have made one substitution during the break, with Vela making way for Javier Aquino.
We're underway once again!
It's been a relatively even game so far, but it's Mexico who are on course for a place in the semi-finals of the competition thanks to Araujo's 30th-minute equaliser. Either side of that, Russia have arguably been the better of the two sides, with Smolov looking particularly dangerous whenver he's able to get on the ball.
HALF-TIME: MEXICO 1-1 RUSSIA
Aruajo doesn't deal with a bouncing ball and allows Russia to push forward on one final attack. A curling cross from Golovin is able to pick out Erokhin, but he can't keep his headed effort down and sends it high and wide of the goal.
The fourth official has indicated that there will be two minutes of added time.
It's been a relatively difficult first half for Mexico, but they're starting to get a grip on the game at the moment. They're knocking the ball around with purpose inside the Russia half of the pitch, although they're still struggling to get the likes of Hernandez and Lozano involved.
Mexico are quickly awarded another free-kick, this time for a foul on Guardado by Glushakov in the middle of the pitch. Layun steps up and shoots from 35 yards out, but it's easily saved by Akinfeev.
Javier Hernandez, who has struggled to see much of the ball so far, is clattered into by Fyodor Kudryashov over on the right wing, resulting in a free-kick for Mexico in a promising position. Dos Santos fails to find a team-mate with his cross though, and it's easily cleared by Russia.
L. Reyes
D. Reyes
Reyes limps off the pitch to be replaced by Luis Reyes in a change that Juan Carlos Osorio wouldn't have wanted to make at this relatively early stage.
Things don't look good for Diego Reyes, who has gone down off the ball just as his side were building up momentum. His game may be over already.
Mexico enjoy a decent spell of possession deep inside the Russia half of the pitch before Layun tries to pick out a team-mate inside the box. His cross isn't a particularly good one, however, and it's easily dealt with by the Russia defence.
Erokhin charges down the right wing on a great run before swinging a cross into the heart of the Mexico penalty area. It looks set to find Bukharov in front of goal, but Araujo is there to make sure it doesn't.
Huge chance for Erokhin! Smolov side-foots a lovely pass into the Mexico box and towards Erokhin, who skips past Moreno before unleashing a thumping strike that sails high over the top of the crossbar. He really should have done better with that!
H. Herrera
Assist
That was a great ball forward from Hector Herrera to pick out Aruajo inside the penalty area, but Erokhin really should have done better to track the run of the defender.
N. Araujo
Goal
GOAL! Mexico have equalised! A long-range pass is fired into the Russia box and towards Nestor Araujo, who manages to get the better of his marker before sending a looping header over Akinfeev and into the back of the net.
Guardado steps up and unleashes a decent strike that flies towards the bottom left-hand corner of the net, but Akinfeev is there to tip it away from goal with a great diving save.
Mexico push forward once again before Dos Santos unleashes a long-range shot that hits the arm of Golovin, resulting in a free-kick in a promising position 30 yards away from goal. It looks as if they're going to shoot from it...
Mexico comfortably knock the ball around as they try to find a quick equaliser, but, as has been the case for most of the game so far, they're unable to get the better of a determined Russia back line and eventually lose possession.
A. Erokhin
Assist
It initially looked as if Erokhin had allowed a great opportunity to open the scoring go to waste, but he did well to recover and then picked out Samedov in a nice little pocket of space.
A. Samedov
Goal
GOAL! Russia have taken the lead! The host nation push back once again as they desperately try to carve out a chance on goal. Aleksandr Golovin does really well down the left flank before firing a cross into the box, where Erokhin scuffs an attempted shot. He's able to knock the ball over to Samedov, however, and the wing-back then side-foots a strike into the bottom left-hand corner of the net.
Smolov hits the post! The forward, who has arguably been Russia's best player so far, weaves his way through a sea of white shirts before shooting from the edge of the penalty area, and his thumping strike smashes off the woodwork after beating the fingertips of Ochoa.
Russia move the ball around nicely once again deep inside the Mexico half of the pitch before Smolov picks out Bukharov, but the striker carelessly wanders into an offside position and the linesman's flag is raised as soon as he touches the ball.
After 30 seconds of action, the referee stops play and consults the VAR. He examines a screen at the edge of the pitch before restarting the game with a drop ball, much to the annoyance of Smolov, who clearly felt he was fouled.
Another huge decision by the referee! Poor defending by Mexico allows Smolov to pick up a bouncing ball inside the penalty area. He looks set to shoot but is seemingly barged to the ground before he can do so, and his protests are waved away by the man in charge.
A. Guardado
Yellow Card
Ouch! Guardado stretches for a loose ball but ends up catching Samedov with a very late challenge, leaving the referee with no choice but to show him a yellow card that will rule him out of Mexico's next game if they progress to the semi-finals.
Vela is caught in possession midway down the right flank and Russia counter quickly once again, but this time they're unable to carve out a chance on goal as Aleksandr Bukharov drifts into an offside position.
Chance for Zhirkov! Slightly sloppy play by Mexico gifts possession to Russia deep inside their own half of the pitch. Zhirkov picks up the ball once again and powers forward before shooting, but his low effort bounces just wide of the far post after beating Guillermo Ochoa.
Andres Guardado steps up and swings a decent cross into the heart of the Russia box, but Aleksandr Bukharov is there to head the ball away from danger.
Y. Zhirkov
Yellow Card
Zhirkov catches Vela with a high boot that leaves the winger in a heap on the floor, resulting in a yellow card for the wing-back and a free-kick for Mexico in a very dangerous position out wide.
Another great piece of defending by Russia! Dos Santos slips away from his marker and picks up the ball in a pocket of space in front of goal, but just as he's about to unleash a shot, Zhirkov dives in the way to poke the ball behind.
Big call by the referee! Fyodor Smolov cuts inside from the left wing before poking a pass into the path of Yuri Zhirkov. The wing-back is inside the box and quickly tries to shoot, but he goes down under a challenge from Hector Moreno before he's able to do so. The Russia players and fans all scream for a penalty, but the referee doesn't agree and waves play on.
Hirving Lozano is able to get away the first shot of the game from a few yards outside of the Russia penalty area, but it's sent straight into the hands of Igor Akinfeev in the middle of the goal.
Another attempted Russia attack comes to nothing, allowing Mexico to counter quickly. Carlos Vela sprints down the right wing on a marauding run before trying to set up Jonathan dos Santos inside the penalty area, but Denis Glushakov is there to cut ou the danger with an excellent interception.
After an even start to the game from both sides, Russia try to push forward on the first attacking move of the game. They work the ball around nicely before Aleksandr Samedov tries to carve out some space for himself down the right wing, but he's unable to and can't stop the ball from rolling out for a goal-kick.
We're off! Mexico get us underway, attacking from left to right.
The two sides are making their way out onto the pitch, with just a few minutes to go until kick-off.
Meanwhile, Russia boss Stanislav Cherchesov has made just two alterations to the team that featured in their last outing, with Roman Shishkin and Dmitri Kombarov making way for Aleksandr Erokhin and Aleksandr Bukharov.
Juan Carlos Osorio has decided to make seven changes to the Mexico side that started the win against New Zealand, with Hector Moreno, Miguel Layun, Hector Herrera, Andres Guardado, Carlos Vela, Javier Hernandez and Hirving Lozano coming into the starting line-up to replace Carlos Salcedo, Oswaldo Alanis, Jurgen Damm, Javier Aquino, Marco Fabian, Raul Jimenez and Oribe Peralta, respectively.
Russia XI (3-4-2-1): Akinfeev; Vasin, Dzhikiya, Kudryashov; Samedov, Erokhin, Glushakov, Zhirkov; Golovin, Smolov; Bukharov.
Mexico substitutes: Cota, Marquez, Fabian, Jimenez, Giovani dos Santos, Talavera, Damm, Peralta, Aquino, Luis Reyes, Alanis.
Mexico XI (4-3-3): Ochoa; Araujo, Diego Reyes, Moreno, Layun; Jonathan dos Santos, Herrera, Guardado; Vela, Hernandez, Lozano.
There’s just over 15 minutes left to go until kick-off, so let’s have a look at how the two teams will be lining up today…
This will be the first time the two sides have met one another since 1994, when Russia comfortably won 4-1 in a friendly in the build-up to that summer’s World Cup. The only other meeting was another victory for Russia in their first ever outing after the breakup of the Soviet Union, with the new team impressing in a 2-0 win in Moscow in August 1992.
Mexico had to head into half-time a goal down when they met New Zealand in their last outing, but they showed good grit and determination to fight back and win 2-1. Raul Jimenez and Oribe Peralta got themselves on the scoresheet as they helped their side to a much-needed victory, and it leaves them needing just one more point to reach the semi-finals.
Cristiano Ronaldo is the only player who has managed to breach Russia’s back line, which will have to be at its best this afternoon. Mexico are the joint-highest goalscorers in the competition so far, but Russia’s impressive record at the back means they currently boast the joint-best defensive record.
It’s now or never for Russia, who will be well aware that anything less than a victory here today will surely see them drop out of the competition. The host nation impressed in a relatively comfortable 2-0 victory against New Zealand before a passive display against Portugal saw them narrowly lose, leaving them with one last chance to book their place in the final four.
Good afternoon and welcome to our live text commentary of today’s Confederations Cup group stage game between Mexico and Russia at the Kazan Arena.
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