Alexej Mirantschuk was the man of the game in front of 30,000 spectators in St. Petersburg. The 25-year-old goal getter from Atalanta Bergamo scored in stoppage time in the first half after a nice combination with strike partner Artjom Dsjuba from almost twelve meters, untenable for goalie Lukas Hradecky, right into the left corner of the cross. On the last day of Group B, a heart-stopping final for the promotion places is announced. Russia will face Denmark on Monday (9 p.m., live on ORF1), Finland will meet Belgium.
The game was still completely under the impression of the incident in the opening match between the Finns on Saturday against Denmark (1-0), in which Inter-Star Christian Eriksen suffered a cardiac arrest shortly before the break. The 29-year-old is now on the mend. The Finnish team already set an example during the warm-up. “Get well Christian” was written in blue on the white warm-up shirts that Teemu Pukki and his colleagues wore before the game in St. Petersburg.
Statistics speak for and against Russia
Despite the dramatic events four days ago, Finland team boss Markku Kanerva had to rebuild his 5-3-2 system compared to the 1-0 against Denmark in one position. Captain Tim Sparv had to take a seat on the bench due to knee problems, while Rasmus Schüller took over from Djurgaarden Stockholm in midfield. Otherwise Kanerva remained loyal to his starting eleven from the opening win, at the front line gold goal scorer Joel Pohjanpalo should again put pinpricks on the Russian defensive with strike partner Pukki.
Russia coach Cherschessow had to do without his most experienced player. Defender Juri Schirkow injured his right knee in the 3-0 draw against Belgium and will probably not be an issue for the rest of the tournament. Midfielder Daler Kusjajew, meanwhile, was fit in time after his clash with Timothy Castagne. Andrei Semjonow made room for Georgi Dschikija in the defense center tower, while Matvej Safonow replaced Anton Schunin, who was unlucky against Belgium, in the goal.
While debutant Finland had a clean white vest thanks to a 1-0 win in their only European Championship match so far, the latest Russian record looked pretty bleak. None of his last six European Championship finals could win the “Sbornaja”, four of them were lost. In the last three appearances, including the 0: 3 against Belgium at the beginning, the Russians went empty-handed. In the direct duel with Finland, however, it looked better. Since 1995, the “Uhus” have suffered as many defeats in four games. The last Finnish victory was almost 109 years ago (June 30, 1912).
Lively start in St. Petersburg
They showed right from the start that the Finns wanted to use the momentum. With another three points, the EM debutant would have qualified early for the round of 16 if Denmark played a maximum draw against Belgium on Thursday. In the third minute, Jukka Raitala captured the ball on the right and crossed into the center. There Pohjanpalo screwed himself into the air surrounded by three Russians and nodded to the supposed 1-0 lead. However, the video referee recognized a tight offside position and overruled the Dutch referee Danny Makkelie.
Abseitstor von Pohjanpalo (3. Minute)
Pohjanpalo hits with the head. But he’s on the sidelines.
However, Russia put up with the early shock and quickly got back into the game. Finland withdrew as they did against Denmark and waited for the counterattack. Headers from Artjom Dzjuba and Alexej Mirantschuk caused danger in the Finnish penalty area for the first time (7th). A shot attempt by Magomed Osdojew from a promising position went well over the gate (10th). On the other side, Pohjanpalo appeared in the penalty area, but was barely prevented from finishing (14th). Goalie Safonow cleared a through pass to Pukki on the edge of the penalty area with a head (16.).
Miranchuk strikes before the break
Shortly afterwards, Mario Fernandes was unlucky. The Russian landed on his back after a header duel and was injured. The 30-year-old from CSKA Moscow was then carried off the field and taken to hospital for further examinations. For him, Vyacheslav Karavaev came into the game. According to veteran Schirkow, coach Tschertschessow’s team threatens to be injured as the second full-back.
Good cross from Kuzyaev (37th minute)
After Kuzyaev’s cross, a Finn and a Russian lie on the ground.
Russia had more game shares after that, but was unable to capitalize on it. There was excitement after a Stanglpass from Daler Kusjajew, in which Jere Uronen just disturbed the substitute Karawajew. The Russian crashed into the bar and hit the Finn in the head with his leg. Both players were able to continue playing. When everyone was expecting a goalless first half, Russia struck. After a one-two with Djuba, Mirantschuk let two Finns get out with a hook and scored to make it 1-0 (45th + 2). Finland goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky was powerless.
Russians push for 2-0, Finns for equalization
Despite the cold shower just before the break, the Finns came back on the field fresher than the Russians. Immediately after the restart, Igor Diwejew ran out of Pukki (49th), a little later Russia’s goalkeeper Safonov tamed a shot by the Norwich City striker in the follow-up (53rd). However, thanks to the more offensive orientation of the Finns, the Russians now offered themselves more space, but the redeeming 2-0 and thus a preliminary decision should not be made.
An attempt by Alexander Golowin just missed his goal (52nd) as shortly afterwards one of the substitute Rifat Schemaletdinow after a steep pass from Dzjuba (66th). Hradecky stretched out and turned the ball to the corner (72nd) when Kusjajew played. After all, Russia brought the narrow victory over the EM debutants with luck and skill over time and was able to look forward to another victory after four EM bankruptcies in a row.
Voices for the game:
Markku Kanerva (Finland team boss): “We defended well and improved our game compared to the game against Denmark. We didn’t manage to score, but we had some good actions. Some shots just missed, others were blocked. It was a really close match. “
Stanislav Cherchessov (Russia team boss): “The players were a real unit today. They did exactly what they had to do and got the win. I think I picked the right formation. In order to break their massive defenses, it was important to get over the wings, and we managed to do that. Our plan worked. “
European Football Championship, Group B, second matchday
Wednesday:
Finland – Russia 0: 1 (0: 1)
St. Petersburg, 24.540 Zuschauer, SR Makkelie (NED)
Tor: 0: 1 (45. + 2) Mirantschuk
Finland: Hradecky – Toivio (84./Jensen), Arajuuri, O’Shaughnessy – Raitala (75./Soiri), Schüller (67./Kauko), Lod, Kamara, Uronen – Pohjanpalo, Pukki (75./Lappalainen)
Russia: Safonow – Fernandes (26./Karawajew), Diweew, Dschikia, Kusjajew – Sobnin, Barinow, Osdojew (61./Schemaletdinow) – Mirantschuk (85./Muchin), Dsjuba (85./Sobolew), Golowin
Yellow cards: Kamara, O’Shaughessy or Barinow, Osdojew, Dschikia
