Russia run rings round Liechtenstein
Monday, September 8, 2014
Article summary
Russia 4-0 Liechtenstein
Two own goals paved the way as Fabio Capello's side got off to a comfortable start in UEFA EURO 2016 qualifying Group G.
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Article body
• Two own goals put Russia into the ascendancy
• Artem Dzyuba gets his first goal for his country
• Just over 11,000 fans cheer Russia to victory in Khimki
• Liechtenstein's Mario Frick plays international football as a 40-year-old
• Next games: Liechtenstein v Montenegro, Sweden v Russia (9 October)
Two own goals helped guide Russia towards a 4-0 victory, with Liechtenstein's resistance crumbling after the break in their opening UEFA EURO 2016 Group G fixture.
Russia took the lead after just four minutes when Sergei Ignashevich's free-kick took a decisive deflection off Martin Büchel to beat Peter Jehle, but they were unable to add to their advantage until after the interval. Franz Burgmeier was the fall guy as he inadvertently scored Russia's second, and Mario Frick – playing a day after his 40th birthday – gave away a penalty for the third, before Artem Dzyuba made it 4-0.
After that early gift from Büchel, Russia had a monopoly on possession, but poor finishing from Aleksandr Kokorin and Denis Cheryshev let them down as the hosts went into the break only 1-0 up. However, they were relieved five minutes after the restart, Burgmeier turning the ball into his own net after Jehle just about managed to block an Alan Dzagoev shot.
Dmitri Kombarov then converted a spot kick, low into the bottom corner, for Russia's third before his FC Spartak Moskva team-mate Dzyuba marked his first appearance since August 2013 with his maiden international goal, a tap-in following excellent work from Kokorin down the right flank.