Russia get off the mark with win over Finland

Russia earned their first win of Euro 2020 by beating Finland by a single goal.

Aleksey Miranchuk’s superb finish in first-half stoppage time was enough to give Russia a 1-0 win.

Joel Pohjanpalo had earlier put the ball in the net for Finland but his goal was ruled out for offside.

The result puts both teams on three points going into their final Group B games on Monday.

Finland thought they had taken the lead within the first four minutes when Pohjanpalo headed in Jukka Raitala’s cross but the video assistant referee ruled it out for offside.

Russia were the better team from then on though. Magomed Ozdoev twice missed the target before Viacheslav Karavaev just missed out on reaching a low cross with the goal gaping.

Miranchuk did make the breakthrough before half time though when he curled a shot into the top left corner.

Aleksandr Golovin and Rifat Zhemaletdinov had good chances in the second half and Daler Kuzyayev’s shot was saved by Lukas Hradecky.

Teemu Pukki came close to equalsing late on but his shot was saved by Matvey Safonov.

Either team could still book their place in the knockout round if they win on Monday. Russia meet Denmark in Copenhagen while Finland play Belgium in St Petersburg.

Cover Photo: “Bandera rusa” by Contando Estrelas is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0