DAfter its shocking debut in the Eurocup – in the negative and positive – Finland took a reality bath with the defeat against Russia. Miranchuk, with a great goal in the extension of the first half, decided a duel that gives air to Cherchesov’s, which after two home games will close the group against Denmark in Copenhagen.
That yes, the script of the party could be very different. The three minutes of play were not yet up when Raitala anticipated Kuzyaev and served Pohjanpalo to score a header. Something that did not go up to the scoreboard due to a tight offside but that sent a warning. Finland already won on the first day with hardly any finishing and their idea was not going to change much.
Russia, on the other hand, found it difficult to enter the party. Only Miranchuk and Golovin seemed to propose different things. On a pass from the first, Odzoev had the first Russian chance, but sent the ball high. Finland responded with a ride from Pukki that Diveev saved in extremis.
Those of Cherchesov still did not find positive messages. They even found one more casualty, that of Mario Fernandes, who had to leave on a stretcher by a strong blow when falling badly in a jump.
Finnish goalkeeper Hradecky stretches on goal play
The game was already played in one direction, with Russia on the ball and Finland defending well and threatening quick starts. Karavaev had the best chance, saved by Toivio, before Miranchuk drew his wand to make it 0-1.. He picked up the ball in the area and put it on the squad. Unstoppable.
In the second part, Kanerva’s men took a step forward. They started the same, with a threat after three minutes with an internship that Diveev took, but this time I know they were getting much closer to the Safonov area, while Russia was having a hard time getting out.
Even so, was able to make it 0-2 in a Kuzyaev shot that Hradecky pulled out with a great hand. In that final stretch, the Finns pressed, but without the success of their first game.