Miranchuk beauty seals Russia win

Euro 2020 Group B Matchday 2
Finland 0-1 Russia
Wednesday 16 June, St. Petersburg Stadium

Goal: Russia - Al. Miranchuk (45+2)

Aleksey Miranchuk won the game for Russia with a beautifully taken finish in first-half added time, curling a left-footed effort into the top corner from inside the penalty area.

The game didn’t start completely in Russia’s favour though, with Mario Fernandes taken off with a suspected spine injury midway through the opening period.

Joel Pohjanpalo - who scored the winner as Finland shocked Denmark on matchday 1 - stole a march on Dmitry Barinov in the second minute to stoop low and steer an excellent diving header into the corner, but VAR ruled it out for a narrow offside against the Finnish striker.

After the break it was one-way traffic as Stanislav Cherchesov’s side piled on the pressure. Daler Kuzyaev drew a stunning save from Lukas Hradecky with 20 minutes left.

Matvey Safonov was making only his second ever appearance for the senior side, and his first at European Championships.

Russia temporarily go second in Group B, level on three points with Belgium and Finland, but above the latter due to head-to-head record.

Next Euro 2020 fixtures: Tuesday 22 June - Finland vs Belgium; Russia vs Denmark