On November 14, people all over Russia watched the 2010 FIFA World Cup playoff between Russia and Slovenia
The Russian team gradually took control of the game with Yuri Zhirkov (right) dribbling his way into the Slovenian penalty area. The Russian defender surged past the Slovenian defense, but goalkeeper Samir Handanovic kept the Chelsea star’s shot out.
Everton midfielder Diniyar Bilyaletdinov scored the opening goal in the 40th minute of the game. Alexander Anyukov crossed the ball from the right wing toward the penalty area, where Roman Pavlyuchenko passed it on to Bilyaletdinov, who outfoxed two opponents and hammered the ball home from 12 meters.
Right before halftime, Andrei Arshavin lost his temper and pushed out at an opponent. Referee Bo Larsen gave the Arsenal player a yellow card.
Russia conceded a goal in the 88th minute. Goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev (with the ball in the photo) beat away a long range shot, but it bounced straight to Slovenia’s Nejc Pecnik, who headed the ball into the net.
Russia’s head coach Guus Hiddink tried to reinforce the team’s attack, replacing Roman Pavlyuchenko with Dmitry Sychev (left), who was making a return to the team after a lengthy absence.
On November 14, people all over Russia watched the 2010 FIFA World Cup playoff between Russia and Slovenia. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev was among the spectators. The president was in Singapore for the APEC summit at the time of the game, and watched a televised broadcast at his hotel. Dmitry Medvedev was satisfied with the outcome of the match, which Russia won 2-1
At the peak moments of the match, Dmitry Medvedev and his aide Arkady Dvorkovich couldn’t hold back their emotions, standing up to applaud the Russian team
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and his Slovenian counterpart Borut Pahor went to watch the game and support their national teams at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium after their talks in Novo-Ogaryovo
Vladimir Putin arrived at the stadium wearing a scarf in the colors of the Russian national flag.
Vitaly Mutko, president of the Russian Football Union, was also there to watch the Russia vs. Slovenia match at Luzhniki, wearing a scarf in the colors of his organization.
Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov in the VIP sector
Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov with his wife Yelena Baturina, as well as businessman Roman Abramovich (background right) in the VIP sector at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium during the FIFA World Cup 2010 playoff match between Russia and Slovenia.
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Zhukov and Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov in the VIP sector at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium during a World Cup playoff between Russia and Slovenia.
