Karpin earns goalless draw against World Cup runners up on debut

2022 World Cup Qualifiers
Russia 0-0 Croatia
Wednesday 1 September, Luzhniki Stadium

On Russia’s Day of Knowledge, Valery Karpin passed his first test in international management by holding Croatia to a goalless draw at the scene of the visitors’ finest hour - the Luzhniki Stadium where they lost the 2018 World Cup Final to France.

An experimental lineup saw no nominal striker as teenage sensation Arsen Zakharyan was handed his full debut. The Dynamo Moscow midfielder played an advanced role and was heavily involved in many attacks, but arguably Russia’s best moment fell to CSKA Moscow striker Anton Zabolotny in the second half when he volleyed straight at Dominik Livakovic in Croatia’s goal.

Zenit defender Dejan Lovren, former CSKA playmaker Nikola Vlasic and ex-Spartak Moscow midfielder Marko Pasalic all started for Croatia.

After four matchdays, Russia and Croatia are level at the top of the group on seven points, one ahead of Slovakia. 

Next World Cup qualifiers: Saturday 4 September - Cyprus vs Russia; Slovakia vs Croatia