Russia v Sweden

Russia v Sweden

18/06/2008

Russia went in to this game knowing that they needed a win to progress, where as Sweden were content with a draw, after both teams lost to Spain and beat Greece. There was extra drive for Russia to win, as their manager Guus Hiddink would get a four hundred thousand pound bonus if they got through to the last eight.

As the game kicked off, Russia soon took control, and Sweden were struggling with their classy football. They deserved a goal for all the chances they created, which including hitting both the post and the cross bar, having chances saved, crosses blocked and missing the target.

They got their reward on the twenty fourth minute, a brilliant over lapping move down the right hand side ended up in a low cross and a superb finish from Roman Pavlyuchenko, playing the ball calmly to the keepers' right.

Sweden never looked like scoring, the closest they came in the whole game was a flick on from veteran Henrik Larsson, which lobbed the goal keeper and hit the cross bar, although if this chance had gone in then it would have been deeply unjust and rather flattering for Sweden.

In the second half, Russia were still attacking, even though they know that they could get through with the result. But they were paid off for their efforts when another brilliant move was concluded with a goal. Once again a low cross, but this time it fell to Andrei Arshavin, who had a brilliant game and deserved the goal.

Russia should have scored another two or three goals, as they had multiple chances, but couldn't utilize any of them and the score line stayed the same.

From Russia's point of view this was a very promising game, and they will surely put up a good fight against the Netherlands when they clash in the quarter finals, but Swedish fans will go home disappointed at their country's campaign.

Final Score:

Russia 2 – 0 Sweden