Russia U-21 1-0 Spain U-21
2023 UEFA Under-21 Championship qualifiers, Group C
Tuesday 16 November, Arena Khimki

Goal: Russia - Tyukavin 60’

A tight first half saw few clear chances fall either way. Russia pressed the group leaders well midway through the opening period, resulting in a half chance for Konstantin Maradishvili as he burst into the box, but he was crowded out.

Danil Khlusevich and Nail Umyarov flooded forward into the Spain box just after half time in a sweeping move that had the visiting defence backpedalling, but the Arsenal Tula man’s effort was slightly scuffed and the danger passed.

RPL top scorer Gamid Agalarov then had the best chance of all. Racing onto a long ball over the top just before the hour mark, almost without breaking stride he lofted a left-footed lob over the onrushing keeper, only to be denied by the underside of the crossbar as it bounced down just in front of the goalline.

Chances began to fall Russia’s way, and a moment later Umyarov’s tenacious pressing snatched up a loose touch to slide in Khlusevich completely free on the edge of the area. His first-time shot was well over though. On 60 minutes the breakthrough deservedly came, courtesy of Agalarov’s replacement Konstantin Tyukavin.

Once again it was captain Umyarov’s relentless pressure that won back the ball high up the pitch, and the Dynamo Moscow striker needed no further invitation to unleash a laser-sharp low finish from 20 yards out.

Russia stay second in the group, level on 15 points with Spain who remain top.

Next Euro 2023 qualifiers: March 2022 - Spain vs Lithuania; Malta vs Russia