Zhemaletdinov and Erokhin seal important win in Cyprus heat

2022 World Cup Qualifiers
Saturday 4 September, Nicosia

Cyprus 0-2 Russia
Goals: Russia - Erokhin 6', Zhemaletdinov 56'

After the creditable goalless draw at home to Croatia midweek left matters very tight at the top of Group H, and a surprisingly dangerous Malta as visitors on Tuesday, Russia couldn't afford to slip up in the sweltering Cypriot evening - and they didn't buckle. 

Aleksandr Erokhin carried his superb club form into the international arena by breaking the deadlock just six minutes in against Cyprus, set up by former Ural Ekaterinburg teammate Fedor Smolov. 

Dmitry Barinov’s first game as captain of the senior side ended successfully in Nicosia as Rifat Zhemaletdinov doubled the advantage soon after the break. Konstantin Tyukavin came off the bench for his senior debut for the last quarter of an hour for a comfortable run-out. 

With Croatia kicking off later today, Russia leapfrog them into first place on 10 points, while Cyprus remain bottom on four points.

Next World Cup qualifiers: Tuesday 7 September - Russia vs Malta; Slovakia vs Cyprus