The scoring was opened in the 24th minute of the game, when Russian forward Alexander Kerzhakov, hit a successful shot from about 20 meters. In the 37th minute attacking midfield Andrei Karyaka increased the Russians' advantage but the persistent players of the host team netted the ball in Vyacheslav Malofyev's goal before the interval - Thomas Beck did it in the 40th minute. The Russian goal-keeper is fully to blame for it.
After the interval Dmitry Sychev replaced Andrei Arshavin, and then two more replacements followed with an interval of about ten minutes - Vladimir Bystrov ceded his place to Marat Izmailov, and Dmitry Khokhlov - to Yevgeny Aldonin.
The course of the match somewhat reminded of the October game of Liechtenstein versus the Portuguese, who also took a 2-0 lead in the first half-time. But then the host team won back, made a 2-2 draw and took two planned points way from the vice-champions of Europe, thereby creating a sensation. A propos, above-mentioned Thomas Beck of Liechtenstein showed a very good performance in that game, too. But, as distinct from the Portuguese, the Russians retained the victorious score, though through much effort. The footballers of Liechtenstein, who, as distinct from the Russians, played inventively and easily (it is clear that the group's outsiders do not claim anything to speak of), had the most real chance to equalize already in the injury time. But goalie Malofeyev parried a pointblank shot, thereby proving himself in the right after the goal he had allowed.
After this underwhelming victory the Russian squad scored 10 points but remained in third place in its qualification group because its main rival in the competition for second place (it looks that Portugal will not cede its current first place to anyone) also won an away game. The national team of Estonia lost to Slovakia 1-2 (0-0) at home.
All the goals in that match were scored within ten minutes - Estonian forward Oper scored for his squad in the 58th minute, Slovak forward Marek Mintal equalized a minute later, and in the 66th minute Lubomir Reiter brought the lead and final victory to Slovakia.
The Slovaks have now scored 13 points, just as Portugal, which is ahead of Slovakia due to the better goal difference.
But on March 30 the Russians will have a good chance to come up with someone of the leaders who are to play against each other in Slovakia. For this purpose they have to defeat Estonia in an away game with any score. Even if the Slovaks and the Portuguese make a draw and score 14 points each the Russian squad will be able to come very close to them in the tournament table.
Last November the Russian team knocked Estonia out 4-0 in Krasnodar.
